Why Sign Language?

"That's so cool!"
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I've heard it many times from people who have seen me sign. 

But learning American Sign Language (ASL) isn't just about doing something "cool." Learning ASL can open the door to a whole new world of friends and interesting people!

My name is Michelle Mills. I learned to sign in high school when I made a deaf friend. She came to my house; as we would hang out, I learned ASL. It was an awesome experience!

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Since then, I have interpreted for agencies and professionals such as doctors, teachers, for job training, college classrooms and more. I even got to interpret for the birth of a sweet baby boy! I also worked in elementary, middle, and high schools in Texas. (My favorite part of that job was having the privilege to interpret for a very beautiful high school cheerleader.)

I want my students to be prepared to interact with Hard of Hearing/Deaf people so they have the opportunity to make new friends,  worship alongside, and even be able to share the gospel message with a person who signs.

In addition to these interactions with the Deaf community, being able to sign can help you:

• express a thought through visual communication
• praise the Lord with a little something more than song
• talk to a friend without letting the whole room hear you

I hope to get students (& their families?) interested in learning more about ASL, Deaf culture, and interpreting for the Deaf as a profession.

Most importantly, I want students to leave my classroom educated and motivated to keep on signing!

— Michelle Mills, Loganville K-12 instructor