GeneralApr 27, 2021Campus News
By: Mary Ann Stefko & Hannah Jackson from the World Languages and Cultures Department

How Languages Impact Lives for the Better

On April 17, The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children students and their families joined Mary Ann Stefko to celebrate Earth Day and plant flowers and trees.
How Languages Impact Lives for the Better

On Saturday, April 17, 2021, The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children students and their families joined Mary Ann Stefko to celebrate Earth Day and plant flowers and trees. Professor Stefko teaches American Sign Language at The University of Scranton and at The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. Several University of Scranton alumni who studied American Sign Language under Professor Stefko volunteered to join the students and their families for the day and had the chance to use their skills in ASL to communicate with these children.

These alumni include Kayla Concannon '19, who is an occupational therapist in Philadelphia who works with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Matthew Busch '18 is a fourth-year medical student at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and upon graduation this spring will begin a residency in pediatrics.
Jackie Bailey '18 did her counseling clinical at The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and became the school counselor.

These three alumni joined Professor Stefko, her students, and their families for this Earth Day celebration and had the opportunity to interact with the children who attended the event using ASL.

“To say that ‘one language class can change your life’ might be lofty, but for these alumni and the children and families I serve, it certainly is the truth," said Professor Stefko.

Learning American Sign Language through The University of Scranton gives students and alumni the chance to impact lives for the better. This is just one example of how learning a world language can give you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in your community and the world.

American Sign Language I will be offered in the fall of 2021 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:15 p.m.

Would you like to learn more about ASL and other world languages at The University of Scranton?

Contact Dr. Yamile Silva at yamile.silva@scranton.edu.

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