UNF Deaf Education

Another spotlight on another alum! Congrats, Mikayla!

Welcome Mikayla Waters to FSDB!

Mikayla previously worked as an OPS Instructional Assistant at the Deaf Elementary School before securing a position as a 2nd Grade teacher at DES.

When asked what she is most excited about, Mikayla expressed her eagerness to continue getting to know the Lil' Dragons and everyone else she will be working with.

A fun fact is Mikayla enjoys scuba diving. One time, she even discovered an octopus hiding in a rock—how cool!

We are thrilled to have you here with us at FSDB!

The Northern Ireland Sign Language Bill has received Royal Assent! This recognises both British and Irish Sign Language in Northern Irish Law.

The Bill represents Northern Ireland's commitment to preserve BSL and ISL. In addition, The Department for Communities has committed to provide free BSL and ISL classes for deaf people under 25 years of age, a transformational step for the deaf community.

The Bill represents real progress towards inclusion of the deaf community in Northern Ireland.

Good news out of the senate this week! ❤️

Are you ready to become a vital part of the FSDB Family? We’re searching for our new Assistant Principal of Instruction for our Deaf High School! Click the link below to discover more about this exciting opportunity and submit your application. Do you know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this message!

https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/ST-AUGUSTINE-ASSISTANT-PRINCIPAL-OF-INSTRUCTION-48008280-FL-32084/1394814900/

Love these!

We lovvve our ABC puzzles from Deafroot! Both of our ELC locations got one! 😍 Check them out at https://deafroot.com

Congratulations to our Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Mikayla Waters! When she was honored last week, Dr. K read these words: I originally wrote a statement in which I had gushed all about Mikayla’s academic excellence, leadership qualities, and humble, kind spirit.  I had planned to share details of her involvement as an ambassador in the College, a leader in our program, and research team member, as well as her participation in state, national, and international conferences in our field.  But today I got an email from her mentor teacher and knew I had to share this excerpt instead - Lauren Alex Chase-Boland wrote about her experience with Mikayla interning in her classroom, “As a veteran teacher, I felt a renewal, in my spirit, for teaching.  Her excitement and willingness to try new ideas and make lessons fun, engaging, and to rigorous for each content area inspired me to match that same level of enthusiasm!  Her leaving is bittersweet. I am so excited for her to start her own journey with her own students, but super sad to not have her knowledge, ideas and support in the classroom. I will forever be grateful that I took the opportunity to mentor her this semester!“ | ID: A photo of Mikayla on stGe holding her certificate with Dr. K on her right and Dean Dittmore on her left. A photo of Dr. K reading her “speech” at a podium while Mikayla looks on. A photo of Dr. K and Mikayla smiling in the lobby after the event.

Hey, we know her!

Mikayla is graduating next Friday with her BAE in Deaf Education. We are so proud of all that she has accomplished in her 3 years here, and we can't wait to see the impact she has on her Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in the very near future!

UNF student fulfills lifelong dream of becoming a teacher in deaf education Inspired by an early love of teaching and ASL, UNF spring graduate Mikayla Waters shares her journey in becoming an educator for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Allied Instructional Services
Two Immediate openings:
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the West Palm Beach, FL area
On-Site Opportunity for Certified Florida ToDHH
Excellent pay and support!
2 Full-time openings for the 2026-2027 school year
Must possess working knowledge of American Sign Language
Apply here:
https://www.alliedinstructional.com/opportunities/form/147
Email Gwyn Suttell, Director of Workforce Management
at [email protected] or Michelle Gagnon, Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, at [email protected]
for more information