Testimonials

1) Why did you choose CSD for your internship?

I wanted to experience teaching at a school that had high standards like no other deaf programs/schools. CSD came to mind. Even though I grew up here and graduated from this program, I did know (without bias!) that CSD was one of the best schools related to Deaf education. I also knew that CSD had good resources and support regarding literacy as my interest is mainly tied to literacy. The bottom line here is; I knew I’d grow if I interned here.
-Clare Cassidy, High School English Teacher (2005 Intern)

Of course, the best Deaf school in the US—that allure!!!! Actually, opportunity just fell into my lap. A kindergarten teacher left on maternity leave, and CSD rushed to offer me to fill in….the rest is history.
-David Eberwein, Bilingual/Deaf Studies Teacher Specialist (1998 Intern)

I came here because CSD had a reputation in creating many great teachers who are now scattered all over the country and many have become educational leaders.
-Joey Baer, Student Data Outcomes Teacher Specialist (1997 Intern)

I went to grad school at Fresno State. For their program, every student does an eight week internship at one of the residential schools (Fremont or Riverside) and eight weeks in a mainstream program. Going through grad school and researching the different philosophies of educating students, I knew for sure that I wanted to eventually work in a bilingual/bicultural educational setting.

From what my professors from Fresno State told me and professors at other colleges told me as I met them through a pre-doctoral fellowship I received, Fremont had a strong reputation as a good school following that educational philosophy. So I made a special request and asked my department if I could do all sixteen weeks at Fremont.
-Keila Classen, 5th Grade Teacher (2003 Intern)

I chose CSD for my internship because of the Bi-Bi approach it uses to educate Deaf children. Also, CSD has the reputation of being the best school for the Deaf.
-Vanessa Paje Cristobal, High School English Teacher (2002 Intern)

I think it's an excellent school to do an internship at. It uses the BiBi approach which I'm in favor of, and CSD is strong in the approach compared to other schools in California.
-Stephanie Craig, 2nd Grade Teacher (2005 Intern)

2) In what areas did CSD benefit your student teaching experience?

CSD does have a wonderful Curriculum and Media Services department. They do have several specialists who have expertise in specific areas. I found them very helpful and resourceful when it comes to information that you need for your classroom. It makes professional growth more convenient and enjoyable.
-Reyes Ribera, Middle School Science Teacher (2004 Intern)

My mentor, a kindergarten teacher, gave me 1-1 advice, and raised the stakes!! She was a great mentor!!! I learned all about TEACHING from her!
-David Eberwein, Bilingual/Deaf Studies Teacher Specialist (1998 Intern)

CSD benefited me in learning how to adapt my teaching strategies to a variety of different situations. I was also able to collaborate with different teachers and learn from their leadership.
-Vanessa Sandez, 5th Grade Teacher (2002 Intern)

The opportunity to work with many experienced teachers and learn many great teaching techniques.
-Joey Baer, Student Data Outcomes Teacher Specialist (1997 Intern)

CSD gave me the opportunity to teach in a Deaf environment - where ASL was the language of instruction. It also allowed me the opportunity to see the vast array of technology that supports students' visual needs for learning. During my internship, I learned about the Best Practices for teaching reading to Deaf students. This had deepened my desire to teach students’ strategies to improve reading.
-Vanessa Paje Cristobal, High School English Teacher (2002 Intern)

I had a great student teaching experience at CSD, albeit an unusual one. I formally student taught for about six weeks before my mentor teacher left on maternity leave and my student teaching experience became a long term substitute position. It was honestly somewhat overwhelming to me to be fully responsible for a class of students while still completing my student teaching, but the staff and administrators at CSD were extremely supportive.

For the six weeks that I was with her, my mentor teacher oriented me to her classroom, gave me daily feedback and ideas on my lessons, and truly taught me how to organize a classroom. She and others who worked with me inspired in me confidence in myself, allowed me the freedom to ask questions, went out of their way to help me be a better teacher in any way, and also worked closely with my university.

Because I was student teaching without a mentor teacher, my university required extra observations, and I remember my principal at the time and the supervisor of CAMS, and the reading specialist for elementary (Nancy Brill) sacrificing their time on a weekly if not daily basis to observe, give me feedback, and help me grow as a teacher and meet my university requirements. Their insight into my teaching strengths and weaknesses were invaluable.
-Keila Classen, 5th Grade Teacher (2003 Intern)

The support from content area specialists - I think the school wouldn't be this strong without them. The Bilingual/Deaf Studies teacher specialist and reading specialist both worked with me. They gave me advice, taught several lessons to my class so that I could learn from the techniques they used. There is also a wealth of materials at the school that I could choose from and use for the students' benefit. I also learned from working with and observing other teachers. Basically CSD supported all areas of my student teaching experience!
-Stephanie Craig, 2nd Grade Teacher (2005 Intern)

I benefited a lot when it came to getting English resources and writing ideas. I strengthened my knowledge of the 6+1 writing traits program and find it very useful when teaching writing.
-Clare Cassidy, High School English Teacher (2005 Intern)

The English Curriculum Teacher Specialist was a wonderful asset. Her knowledge of different strategies for teaching English to Deaf students as well as her knowledge of different research findings were very helpful when I was writing lesson plans to meet the needs of my students.
-Beth Ticehurst, Middle School English Teacher (2004 Intern)

3) What do you think you would have missed out if you didn't come to CSD for your internship?

I would have missed out on the professional growth opportunities and understanding why it’s important to have strong teacher work ethics.
–Reyes Ribera, Middle School Science Teacher (2004 Intern)

I wouldn’t have had a great mentor or a diverse class of students with varying language skills!!!!
- David Eberwein, Bilingual/Deaf Studies Teacher Specialist (1998 Intern)

Applying methodologies to the target group that I want to work with, Deaf students in a bilingual/bicultural program.
–Vanessa Sandez, Elementary Teacher (2002 Intern)

I learned effective classroom behavior management techniques. Communication was absolutely 100% in ASL. I had sore eyes for a few eyes.
-Ron Bye, Student Information Systems Teacher Specialist (2000 Intern)

Open-mindness – through my internship, I learned to remain open-minded at all times.
–Joey Baer, Student Data Outcomes Teacher Specialist (1997 Intern)

If I hadn't come to CSD, I wouldn't have experienced first hand the Bi-Bi approach to teaching Deaf students. Prior, I had interned at programs where Signing Exact English was the mode of communication. Additionally, I wouldn't have known what technology and resources were available for students. The other internships I served did not have the technology or resources that CSD offers their students.
–Vanessa Paje Cristobal, High School English Teacher (2002 Intern)

I would definitely not be the teacher I am today without my experience here at CSD. The biggest thing I learned here that seems to be absent (from what I hear) at other schools is a sense of collaboration and support. I arrived intimidated by CSD and insecure in my abilities to teach. After the months I spent student teaching, I was much more confident as a teacher - primarily because I knew that I had the freedom to ask for help to be a better teacher. I really appreciate the environment at CSD that allows teachers to be open to constructive criticism because they know that other teachers and administrators are there to support them and help them grow so ultimately the students benefit. I also would have missed out on becoming knowledgeable on how to apply the knowledge of bilingual/bicultural teaching practices that I left grad school with to the actual reality of how those instructional practices play out in the classroom. Our staff developments, the first year teacher's meetings I attended as a student teacher, and my personal conversations with various staff members all helped me solidify and understand how I can best teach my students.
–Keila Classen, 5th Grade Teacher (2003 Intern)

Definitely, I would have missed the opportunity to observe and work with experienced teachers who have rich experiences from working with deaf students over the years and to see them apply teaching theory to practice - which makes you see things as a whole, instead of just the theory itself leaving you to guess what the practice looks like.
–Stephanie Craig, 2nd Grade Teacher (2005 Intern)

I would have missed out on the vocabulary emphasis in teaching deaf children (due to their lack of exposure to incidental learning) as well as the 6+1 writing traits program.
–Clare Cassidy, High School English Teacher (2005 Intern)

I would have not been exposed to "Deaf-centered" instruction.
–Beth Ticehurst, Middle School English Teacher (2004 Intern)

4) In what ways did the internship experience contribute to your career?

I must say the level of motivation and deaf pride/empowerment.
–Reyes Ribera, Middle School Science Teacher (2004 Intern)

It set the tone for my career… high expectations, collaboration, commitment, and working in a healthy environment that value Deaf children above anything else.
-David Eberwein, High School Instructional Principal (1998 Intern)

It opened my eyes to the possibilities of teaching different age groups at a Deaf school.
–Vanesa Sandez, Elementary Teacher (2002 Intern)

I felt “complete” as a person. This school has supported me tremendously and the staff really cared about my internship.
-Ron Bye, Student Information System Teacher Specialist (2000 Intern)

Boosted my confidence knowing I can teach with any level of students.
-Joey Baer, Student Data Outcomes Teacher Specialist (1997 Intern)

In a sentence, it got me my dream job working with elementary school deaf students with colleagues who share my ideals on how to teach and work collaboratively with me. During my student teaching experience, I interviewed for a position here and now I teach here. I probably would have applied anyway, but I would have been much more intimidated interviewing than I was after spending so many months student teaching and realizing what a positive work environment CSD is. Even if I had chosen to get a job elsewhere, I'm confident I would have been a better teacher for having spent time student teaching at CSD.
–Keila Classen, 5th Grade Teacher (2003 Intern)

It has enabled me to be a better teacher since I was able to utilize a wide variety of teaching strategies with a diverse group of students.
–Stephanie Craig, 2nd Grade Teacher (2005 Intern)

It got me a job here, didn’t it? Grins.
–Clare Cassidy, High School English Teacher (2005 Intern)

It helped me become a better teacher here at CSD because I used the resources available more during my student teaching.
–Beth Ticehurst, Middle School English Teacher (2004 Intern)