Michigan's Sign Language Interpreters & Deaf Education Teachers
New Hearing-Tech Gets Deaf Children Communicating
Michigan’s deaf and hard of hearing teachers are using new processes and tech to get students communicating.
What Does an Educational Sign Language Interpreter Do?
An educational sign language interpreter plays a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. Interpreters ensure that they have access to the same educational opportunities as their hearing peers. Along with the translation of knowledge, interpreters enable meaningful social interactions and active participation in classroom discussions, extracurricular activities, and school events.
Sign language interpreters not only enhance academic achievement but also promote a sense of belonging and self-confidence among deaf students, as they can express themselves fully and understand the subject matter at hand.
Interpreters facilitate collaboration between parents, teachers, and students, strengthening the bond between home and school. Recognizing the importance of an educational sign language interpreter is essential in building an inclusive educational system that values diversity and empowers all students to reach their full potential.
Deaf Education Teacher
A deaf education teacher is a highly specialized educator that facilitates a variety of assignments to deaf or hard of hearing students. These teachers have a deep understanding of the unique communication needs and challenges faced by their students and are trained to provide tailored instruction and support.
They often use different teaching methods, including sign language, speech therapy, and auditory training, to help students access the curriculum and develop essential language skills. Deaf education teachers also collaborate closely with other professionals, such as speech therapists and audiologists to create individualized education plans that address each student’s specific needs.
The overall goal of a deaf education teacher is to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing students to reach their full potential and be successful in both educational and social settings.
Start Your Educational Sign Language Interpreter Journey
To work in Michigan schools as an Educational Sign Language Interpreter:
Step 1: Earn an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
Step 2: Pass and earn the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Certification OR the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Certification (BEI) 2 Certification.
You can take the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) as long as you have a bachelor’s degree.
How to Start your Deaf Education Teacher Journey:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in any of the following areas:
- Special Education – with a focus on Deaf Education.
- Deaf Education.
- American Sign Language (ASL).
Step 2: Michigan Test for Teacher Certification
- Pass a test in deaf education or special education.
Step 3: Apply for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Consortium
Submit the Following:
- The Application for Admission (PDF) .
- Official transcripts.
- Copy of current Michigan. teaching certificate.
These can be mailed to:
Elizabeth Flores, M.S.
Program Coordinator
1700 Fulton St. E
Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1801
Phone: 616-632-2976
Fax: 616-732-4431
elizabeth.flores@aquinas.edu
Step 4: Work with the program coordinator on state testing, and other remaining steps.
Volunteer to Gain More Experience!
Get hands-on experience and find a classroom near you that is in need of a volunteer!
Job Shadow a Deaf Education Teacher
To participate in a job shadow, reach out to a school district and request to job shadow a Deaf Education Teacher for a day.
Each school district has their own policy when it comes to job shadowing, but you may need a state ID or a driver’s license to participate.
College Program Information
Click a point on the map to find degree programs, scholarships, grants, and organizations to join!
Certifications/Licensing
Applicants must obtain an associate’s degree or higher. There are 3 levels of the BEI exam. Each level represents a different degree of skill and expertise in sign language interpreting. If applicants want to obtain a higher level of the BEI exam, they must pass the first exam to continue to the next.
- BEI 1 (Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Level 1):
- Entry-level certification.
- Designed for interpreters who are relatively new to the field or have limited experience.
- Demonstrates foundational skills in sign language interpreting and communication.
- Typically qualified to interpret in simple, straightforward settings and interactions.
- May work in settings such as basic educational environments, and community events.
- BEI 2 (Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Level 2):
- Recommended for an educational sign language interpreter.
- Intermediate-level certification.
- Qualified to work in a wider range of settings, including more complex educational, medical, and performing arts, and business environments.
- BEI 3 (Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Level 3):
- Advanced-level certification.
- Represents a high level of expertise and experience in sign language interpreting.
- Qualified to work in complex legal proceedings, advanced medical contexts, technical fields, and other specialized areas.
Michigan requirements: score a 4.0+, pass the written assessment, possess an elementary endorsement (to interpret only K-6 classrooms) or a secondary endorsement (to interpret only 7-26 classrooms).
The Qualified Interpreter (QI) Program certifies qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. The QI Program processes applications for sign language interpreters such as: Test of English Proficiency (TEP) & Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) exams, initial certification, and renewals. The Michigan accepted certification credentials are: MI BEI, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).
Holders of this certification have demonstrated general knowledge in the field of interpreting, ethical decision making and interpreting skills. Candidates earn NIC Certification if they demonstrate professional knowledge and skills that meet or exceed the minimum professional standards necessary to perform in a broad range of interpretation and transliteration assignments.
Michigan Deaf Educator Educational Funding
Free College Opportunities
Allows students to earn college credit (up to 10 courses) while in high school at no cost between 9th-12th grade. The classes that students are eligible for must not be offered by the high school or PSA and must lead towards postsecondary credit, accreditation, certification, and/or licensing.
How to apply – Students are to talk with their high school advisor on eligibility, application, deadlines, and college course options.
A Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study.
EMCs work closely with certain colleges to provide students with an opportunity earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following:
- 60 transferable college credits.
- An associate degree.
- A professional certification.
- The Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate.
- Participation in a registered apprenticeship.
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college tuition-free just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA.
State Scholarships & Grants
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
Thirteen Promise Zones have already begun awarding scholarships. Educators, businesses, families and civic leaders are also striving to embed a pervasive culture of learning in these communities – an essential ingredient in any recipe for education success.
Amount: up to $800
Amount: $10,000
Amount: $9,600 Stipend
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Federal Scholarships & Grants
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Amount: up to $17,500
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus
Amount: up to $4,000/year
Deaf Education Story Tellers
Below are videos highlighting deaf education throughout Michigan.
Find out why they love the profession.
This Job Changes Michigan Kids' Lives
Muskegon Area School District
Michigan Deaf Children Connecting to Peers and Parents
Reeths-Puffer Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
Michigan children with deaf and hard of hearing challenges benefit from teacher skills.
Sign Language’s Impact in Classrooms
Mona Shores Public Schools
Lydia Hansen shares her love for this exciting career and the benefits it brings to her own life and to the children in the classroom.
