SFASU Deaf Education Educator Preparation

There are no perfect words for moments like this.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of an amazing professor and colleague. We are wrapping Heather in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss. As a university family, we stand beside her with love and support.

Michael Munro was more than a professor in the Orientation and Mobility program at SFA. He was steady, kind, thoughtful, and deeply committed to his students. He believed in the work. He believed in his program. And he believed in the people around him.

Michael’s impact will live on in the students he mentored, the professionals he helped shape, and the lives that will be better because of his work.

For those who would like to attend:

Visitation
Thursday 6/4
5:00–7:00 PM

Funeral Service
Friday 6/5
11:00 AM

Both services will be held at Grace Bible Church.

Please continue to keep Heather, their family, and the Orientation and Mobility community in your prayers. 💜 Sending our Love, SFASU Deaf Ed

School may be over, but our teachers and students are still out there working hard!

The SFASU Deaf Education Program had a great time volunteering at the Ability Strong event at the Expo Center this weekend. This is such a fun event that happens every year, and we are always proud to be part of it.

Be on the lookout for it next year! Come have fun, volunteer, support the community, and make new friends along the way.
Thank you to everyone who came out! 💜💛

💜🪓 Our Biggest Graduating Class in 50 Years 🪓💜

This year we are celebrating something truly historic.
Our largest graduating class in 50 years.

At our Graduation Stole Ceremony (Lumberjacks Teach), we had the honor of recognizing these incredible future Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as they prepare to step into classrooms and serve students across Texas and beyond.

Watching each of them receive their stole, representing their hard work, resilience, and commitment to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, was a proud moment for all of us.

A special congratulations to Soncee Dever, our DFHH Clinical Teacher of the Year. 🌟

Your leadership, dedication, and heart for students truly set you apart. We are so proud of you.

To all of our graduates:
You have grown.
You have persevered.
You are ready.

This program is stronger because of you and the future of Deaf Education is brighter because you are stepping into it.

Congratulations Class of 2026. We cannot wait to see the impact you make. 💜

💜🪓 SFA Deaf Education Graduates: We Are So Proud! 🪓💜

Last December, we celebrated two incredible graduates who stepped into the field as Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

And this semester?
We have SIXTEEN MORE graduating! 🎉

That’s 18 new professionals in one academic year. What an accomplishment.

These students have worked hard — through clinical teaching, certification exams, lesson planning, long nights, and so much growth. We’ve watched them stretch, lead, adapt, and develop into confident educators ready to serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with excellence.

We could not be prouder of how far they have come.

As we spotlight each graduate in the coming weeks, please:
💜 Show their posts some love
💜 Leave words of encouragement
💜 Celebrate their accomplishment

If you’re working in a district where one of our graduates is headed, take a moment to introduce yourself and give them a warm welcome. Those first-year connections matter more than you know.

They are ready.
They are prepared.
And they are going to make a difference.

We can’t wait to see all they accomplish. 🌟
💜

💜 SFA Deaf Education Faculty 💜

This team is at the heart of our Deaf Education program — teaching, mentoring, and preparing future educators and professionals to serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

The last few years have been a period of intentional growth. Our faculty have worked diligently to strengthen course design, enhance student support, and continue building a program that reflects the needs of both our students and the field.

We are proud to welcome our largest incoming freshman class to date, a reflection of that work and the continued momentum of the program.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to refining, improving, and expanding opportunities for our students. Be on the lookout for even more from us. 🥰

Grateful for this faculty and the work they do every day. Not many people can say they truly love who they work with — but I can. However, I may be a little biased, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better program at SFA. 😉

Goodbye 2025-2026 Hello 2026-2027!

We are so honored to have worked along side him for so many years.

SFA instructor and alumnus receives Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to the education of students with visual impairments | SFA NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Dr. Michael Munro, clinical instructor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Education Studies, recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired at its annual conf...

Resource fair at Longview ISD! Lumberjacks make great Teachers!

If you didn’t make it to Timber Talks last night, you missed some really great conversation.

This space is for our majors, prospective majors, RDSPD directors, and honestly anyone who has questions about Deaf Ed at SFA. Whether you’re trying to figure out classes, the program, or what comes next, this is where those conversations happen.

Timber Talks is where it’s at.

We’ll be back next semester with more sessions—keep an eye out and come join us next time.

Talking Hands Deaf Social was such a success this past weekend! 💜✨

We partnered with Lufkin High School RDSPD and Lufkin ASL Club to host an awesome silent social — and it did not disappoint. So much laughter, connection, signing, and community building all in one place.

We love seeing high school and college students come together to grow, learn, and just enjoy being in community. That’s what it’s all about. 🤟

Missed this one? Don’t worry — there’s more coming!

👉Email us at [email protected] or follow us on Instagram for updates and information about the next social and meeting. We can’t wait to see you there!


💜

💙 Ability Strong Festival – Nacogdoches 💙

The Ability Strong Annual Festival is happening on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Nacogdoches Expo Center, and we would love to see you there.

This event is FREE and open to individuals with disabilities, their families, friends, and the entire community. It’s truly a celebration of inclusion and connection.
✨ Petting Zoo
✨ Pony Rides
✨ Balloon Artists
✨ Community Vendors
✨ Live Music
✨ Free Food

We are also looking for volunteers to help make this event successful. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to serve our community, this is it.

Please consider attending, volunteering, and most importantly — sharing this post. Social media is one of the best ways we can spread the word and ensure families across Nacogdoches know they are invited and welcome.

Let’s show up strong for Ability Strong. 💙
For more information: Nacogdoches Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
📧 [email protected]