Philosophy and Approach:

As a certified interpreter I offer professional services to facilitate communication between two or more parties who do not share a language and culture. My responsibility is to faithfully render the content and intention of a consumer’s discourse, including the explicit and implicit meanings conveyed in the original language and cultural paradigm. I partner with consumers to understand not only the information being conveyed, but also the social dynamics of the setting which impact how language will be understood in context. My personal opinions are suspended, and confidentiality is maintained regarding information related in an interpreting setting.

As a certified interpreter, I will abide by the Code of Professional Conduct co-authored by our certifying body, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD): http://www.rid.org/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct/.

Formal education:

2004, B.S. in American Sign Language/English Interpreting, Western Oregon University

2010, M.A. in Linguistics, Gallaudet University
2015, Ph.D. in Linguistics, Gallaudet University

I am trained in several pedagogical interpreting models, and those I use most frequently to evaluate, refine, and discuss my practice are the Integrated Model of Interpreting (Colonomos, 1997), the Gish Model of Information Processing (Gish, 1996), and the Effort Model (Gile, 1995).

I have been certified since 2005 by RID with the Certification of Interpreting and Certification of Transliteration (CI and CT). In 2015 I was also awarded a level 4.9 (out of 5) on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). To maintain my certifications, I am required by our licensing body to participate in continuing education, attending workshops and other professional development opportunities to continually develop my skills, hone my craft, and stay current with our ever-evolving field.

Consumers of interpreting services have the following rights:

-  To request a different interpreter at any time, prior to or during an interpreted event.

-  To obtain a copy of the Code of Professional Conduct.

-  To confirm my credentials with RID and that I have met the minimal qualifications of training

and experience for this interpreting need. 

-  To report any complains through the Ethical Practices System: http://www.rid.org/ethics/file-

a-complaint/.

-  To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services.

-  To be assured of the confidentiality of the interpreted content except in the case of threat to

self or others.

-  To be free from being the object of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or

other unlawful category while receiving services.