Expert ASL Instructor & Deaf Education Specialist – 20+ Years

David M.

I bring over two decades of expertise in American Sign Language instruction and deaf education to my tutoring practice. With an Ed.D. in Deaf Studies & Deaf Education from Lamar University and extensive teaching experience from K-12 through university levels, I specialize in helping students master ASL while understanding the rich cultural context of the Deaf community.

My teaching background includes serving as a visiting assistant professor at Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID), where I taught ASL and deaf education courses to undergraduate and graduate students. Prior to that, I spent over a decade teaching in K-12 settings, working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students as well as their hearing peers. I hold professional teaching certifications in both deaf education and special education, and I am fluent in ASL as a hard-of-hearing individual myself.

I tailor my approach to each student's learning style and goals, whether you're a complete beginner learning your first signs, a student working toward ASL proficiency for academic or professional purposes, or a family member wanting to communicate more effectively with a deaf loved one. My students appreciate my patient, encouraging teaching style and my ability to make ASL accessible and engaging. I incorporate cultural insights throughout my instruction, helping students understand not just the language but also the Deaf community's values, history, and perspectives. I've also published research on communication access and inclusive practices, and I'm passionate about breaking down communication barriers.