Did you know I was an Educational Interpreter in Alaska?

It was during that time of my life where I learned and held dear my self care routines.

Growing up in a large Deaf family I thought I understood the Deaf experience. It wasn't until I was an Educational Interpreter that I started to fully understand what deaf/hard of hearing experience were really like.

To be honest, it devastated me.

It was hard seeing the injustice of equal opportunity and illusion of inclusion.

It was hard consistently advocating for the student to everyone on the IEP team and not really seeing the difference the child deserved.

When I finally discovered the power of self-care routines, they were my lifeline.

This is why I have collaborated with Summer Crider to share effective tools for healing to Deaf Education Professionals.

Register for the Trauma-Informed Self-CareWorkshop

Educational interpreters and teachers of the Deaf play a crucial role in bridging communication between deaf students and the educational community. They are not only linguistic mediators but also advocates, ensuring equitable access to education and amplifying students' voices. However, the emotional demands of this work—such as navigating language deprivation or complex IEP meetings—can lead to burnout and fatigue.

To support these professionals, we invite you to a Trauma-Informed Self-Care Workshop. This session will focus on strategies for maintaining emotional resilience, empowering you to continue advocating effectively for deaf students in and outside the classroom.

Workshop Details:

Title: Trauma-Informed Self-Care: A Healing Workshop for Interpreters & Teachers for the Deaf  Date & Time (In-Person): March 8, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM  Location: St. Augustine, Florida  CEUs: .4

Workshop Description:

As an educational interpreter, your role extends far beyond interpreting; you are often the only voice that can advocate for a student’s needs, particularly during critical moments like IEP meetings. But this advocacy can take a toll on your own emotional health. This workshop will help you identify the emotional strain that comes with your advocacy and provide practical tools to prevent burnout.

You will learn somatic techniques to release stress and trauma, reconnect with nature, and build emotional resilience, so you can show up each day ready to advocate effectively for the students you serve.

Educational Objectives:

 By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Recognize trauma in yourself and your colleagues, and understand its impact on emotional well-being.

• Understand the importance of self-care and why it's crucial for interpreters, educators, and advocates to prioritize their mental, emotional, and physical health.

• Learn somatic techniques for releasing trauma stored in the body, including self-massage and somatic exercises.

• Discover how nature therapy can help you reconnect with your body and mind, using natural surroundings to promote healing.

Shift from a reactive, emotionally charged state to a calm and compassionate presence, enhancing your ability to support, advocate, and teach with empathy.

Check out the Trauma-Informed Self-Care workshop today!

Light and Love,

Catherine

P.S. Know someone in Florida or the surrounding region that would benefit? Please let them know!

P.P.S. Space is limited, so don’t wait! Sign up now to ensure your spot in this much-needed workshop.

Register for the Trauma-Informed Self-Care Workshop