Photo by Liana Mikah on Unsplash
The word “Deaf” in this article is used with the capital D to represent the name of a community with a different way of communication – using their hands – rather than as a label of impairment.
“I want to be a doctor!” That was always my automatic answer whenever I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up; but at the same time I loved playing teacher-teacher whenever I was with cousins and friends.
I graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in BS Biology as a pre-med course, however, circumstances kept me from pursuing medicine. Instead, after graduation, I was advised to apply for collegiate teaching. So I pursued a master’s degree in Learning and Teaching in DLSU and took masteral units on microbiology in UST and SPED in UP to be able to teach. Teaching became my first job in 2001, and I have been teaching since!
But in 2010, I thought that I was done with teaching. I was reaching my saturation point and felt like I had nothing more to give. Deep down, I knew I still wanted to teach, but perhaps I needed to rest.
As these thoughts played around in my head during the first week of classes, I saw a booth offering an opportunity to learn Filipino Sign Language (FSL). I signed up. I thought that maybe a new skill would give me a boost. After all, it’s free! All I had to do was show up.
The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studes (SDEAS) is DLS College of St. Benilde’s arm to equip Deaf learners. (At that time, it offered diploma courses on Deaf Studies in two tracks: Entrepreneurship and Graphic Design.) Back then, I had no intention to teach at SDEAS; I just wanted to revive my love for teaching by learning something new.
Looking back, I see it as divine intervention. I finished the three levels of FSL training as a one-year-program. Lo and behold, on my very last day of FSL class, the Deaf academic secretary asked if I wanted to teach science. They were in need of teachers. I told them that I was not fluent but that I would try. So I did a demo. I asked my Deaf buddy to help me out since I would be using science terms with no sign counterpart. I got the job!
And so my love affair with the Deaf community started. Of course, it was sink or swim the first year, but with much work and patience, I survived. After several years, I am still here in Deaf Education and loving it.
A lot of developments took place since then. SDEAS is now offering three tracks: Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design and Business Outsourcing Services Management. Aside from that, I also teach and develop curriculum for the newly opened Benilde Deaf School (BDS), which provides secondary education for Deaf learners. We are currently in our first batch of grade 7 and gearing up for Grades 7 and 8 for the next school year.
I consider myself a constant learner as I immerse myself into the Deaf community. They are considered complex learners, but aren’t we all? We all have our own uniqueness and different learning styles.
My Deaf learners are brilliant. It’s the kind of brilliance that is extraordinary! Their perseverance is amazing, and they have so much untapped talent and potential. I am glad that more and more companies are being aware of this community and are willing to support and employ them. They are not disabled but differently-abled.
Whenever my students thank me at the end of the term, I also thank them. I believe they saved my teaching career. Though I still do not consider myself a fluent signer or a Deaf education expert after eight years of teaching my Deaf learners, I am indebted to their initiative and patience. Their need to be accommodated in various pedagogic strategies pushes me to be creative. They inspire me to be the best version of myself.
Rochelle Mendoza-Martin is currently an Associate Professor in College of St. Benilde under the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies and Benilde Deaf School, developing curriculum and teaching science, environmental science, business communications and academic writing. She is also a commercial model for television, print and digital ads. Rochelle and her husband, Mark Nikolas, are co-founders of What on Earth Inc., the company carrying Precious Trading Co., mover of naturally-grown produce, that advocates for sustainable-living and support Filipino farmers and agriculturists.
