Deaf Awareness Through Literature Using Deaf Adults As Role Models

A new program, Deaf Awareness Through Literature, at the Mississippi School for the Deaf promotes students' language development, positive self-concept, and mental health skills through fluent communication. A deaf student advisor leads weekly discussion/storytelling for students in kindergarten through high school. Teachers reported unexpected positive effects of this innovative program. An overwhelming majority of teachers found the deaf educator to be an excellent role model for classroom teaching techniques and everyday interaction with deaf students. The deaf adult is often an untapped resource at residential schools for the deaf.