Signing Time Academy Welcomes NEW! Associate Directors

by Gwen Cox, Signing Time Academy Director

Happy anniversary, Signing Time Academy! We are excited to introduce you to three new members of Associate Director (AD) team: Melisa Mons, our new AD for the Central Atlantic Region, Margot Holmes, our new AD for  the Atlantic Northeast Region, and Jamie Henry, our new AD for our Instructors in the U.S. military. Please read their bios below and join me in welcoming them to this fabulous Instructor support team!

Melisa Mons – Central Atlantic Region: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia. Also: British Isles (England, Scotland, Ireland), Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Iceland. smile@signingtimeacademy.com

Hi, I’m Melisa pronounced Me Lisa. I’ve been married for almost 11 years to the man of my dreams. We have 2 boys and a girl. I’ve lived in 7 states from the west coast to the east coast, and we even lived in France for 5 months. I’m currently in Philadelphia while my husband Brad finishes his medical residency in ENT. East Coast living has been an incredible experience for this small-town girl and I’m grateful to be here.

Since the first time I saw Linda on Sesame Street, I have been enchanted with American Sign Language. When I got to college, I took every ASL class offered and loved every minute of it. When people asked me what I wanted to do for work, I always said that I wanted to do something with ASL. But instead, I ended up working other jobs until I left the workforce after the birth of my first baby. It was then my aunt told me about Signing Time.  Oh, how my family loves Signing Time!

When they announced the Signing Time Academy, it was like they were talking directly to me. A chance for me to follow my dreams.  I stalked, I mean closely followed, the announcements and jumped right in when the Academy started, becoming one of the first 10 Instructors. Becoming an Associate Director is an amazing opportunity for me to be immersed in what I love, sharing the benefits of ASL. I am thrilled to be part of Signing Time Academy. I know that it can change lives. It has changed mine!

Margot Holmes – Atlantic Northeast Region: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey. Also: Europe. margot@signingtimeacademy.com

Hi! My name is Margot Holmes. I started signing while working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and have continued to use it with children with special needs for over 5 years. I taught my own children sign early on and have always been amazed at their amazing communication skills. I am currently finishing up my Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and I hope to someday achieve my Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology.

We started learning ASL through the Signing Time program and though I have pursued other avenues to learn as well, Signing Time remains my absolute favorite! I am so excited to be a part of the Signing Time Academy and to have the opportunity to serve as Associate Director for the Atlantic Northeast Region. I have lived in the Upper Valley area of Vermont and New Hampshire my whole life. I love New England and am happy to be sharing Signing Time with those around me.

Jamie Henry – Instructors in all branches of the U.S. Military jamie@signingtimeacademy.com

My name is Jamie Henry and I am a military spouse and mother to three very unique children. My husband is career active duty Army and we married, as high school sweethearts, many years ago. I am a Master Signing Time instructor with the Academy. Through my company, Jamie’s Signing Stars, I work with children, adults, professionals, and educational facilities to share the benefits of using ASL vocabulary.

I am also a full time student working on my BA in Psychology with a Minor in Child Development. I started my journey a short distance ago after using the support materials with my middle child, son, age 5, which has Sensory Processing Disorder. He has responded well to the materials as he was a delayed talker with speech problems. Seeing first -hand how wonderful this company is and what it stands for drew me in and I have not regretted it.

My oldest has scoliosis and we are currently testing for petite mal seizures, while my youngest, age 3, is extremely active and his mind needs to be constantly stimulated. She signs the most as she enjoys doing so the most. God has blessed me with a wonderful opportunity to share my experiences with others and help them through their difficult times in life. Our family has survived many deployments and lengthy separations from my husband, their father, and this has created a great amount of emotional distress in our children. Signing is a great way for them to take the stress away from sharing what is on their mind and coping with their feelings.

We currently live in South Carolina and we were refused the services that we needed from our installation for our son, it was then that we learned that we must advocate for our children and never take “NO” for an answer. It is my goal to ensure that our military families know about the resources available to them and one of the best is the ability to teach your child to communicate while increasing their literacy skills. I am a busy mother, with God, my family, school, and career as my focus. What free time I get, I like to sleep; this is my favorite thing of all!

Melisa, Margot and Jamie are joining our current ADs:

Carissa Martos – Northwest Region: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota. Also: South Korea, China, Mongolia. Carissa@signingtimeacademy.com

I’m Carissa Martos, founder of PDX Loves Signing LLC, and I teach American Sign Language vocabulary to children and families in the Portland area. I have a Bachelor’s in English, am currently working towards my Master’s in Teaching, and I’m pursuing Deaf Studies and Sign Language Interpreter’s Certificates. An award-winning artist and freelance journalist working on my first non-fiction book, I’m also an advocate for my two young children with special needs.

Experienced working with the adult disabled population, as a live-in assistant for a blind woman and then full-time caretaker of a paraplegic man with a brain injury, I have recently begun to learn about the world of pediatric disability through my children. My daughter didn’t talk until she was two and a half, but she began communicating through sign when she was eighteen months old, and she’s now quite the chatterbox. My son’s disabilities are more severe, craniosynostosis and global developmental delays, and we were told that he might not ever speak. He also wasn’t interested in learning ASL from us. However, due to Signing Time and his sister’s influence, he has learned to sign and even has a few spoken words!

My family does much of our local travel in a cargo bicycle, and my husband and I read novels aloud, and work on perfecting our forever home in SE Portland. I’m a proud member of Hands and Voices, and the Oregon Association of the Deaf and I volunteer as a Cranio-Kids mentor, helping other parents whose children have craniosynostosis. I knit, paint, and create digital and traditional collages in what little spare time I have. The path has not always been easy, but I’m excited to be able to share through my Signing Time classes, proven ways to help children with special-needs communicate more clearly.

Christine Fitzgerald – Pacific Region: Northern California, Alaska, Hawaii. Also: Micronesia including New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand. cfitzgerald@signingtimeacademy.com

I am Christine Fitzgerald and I teach American Sign Language vocabulary to babies and children in the Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena areas of Los Angeles through my company, We Sign Family. I discovered Signing Time when I wanted to teach ASL to my son and I fell in love with the program. When the Academy opened its doors, I was one of the first lined up to join. I am thrilled to be able to share Signing Time with the families in my area.

I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with High Distinction in the dual majors of English and Anthropology. During my college career, I also participated on my community college’s forensics team, where I took home a national gold medal for Persuasive Speaking at the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament. It was during college that I began my studies in American Sign Language, something I had always wanted to learn.

I have an extensive background working with children in various fields. In Alabama, I ran acting groups and classes for teenagers and adults. I toured with a southeastern company performing Opal at elementary schools, where I also taught the children brief lessons on what childhood was like in the early 1900s at an Oregon logging camp. After moving to Los Angeles, I worked as a children’s birthday party entertainer, performing at over one thousand parties, including parties for high profile celebrities. I am excited to be able to bring my various talents to the Signing Time curriculum and to the children of my city.

I read, write and enjoy creating short films in my spare time, of which I have less since my son was born. I do not mind at all, however.

Lonna Leghart – Southwest Region: Southern California, Nevada, Utah. Also: Mexico and South America. lonna@signingtimeacademy.com

Hello from Oceanside, California! I am the mother of one outstanding signer and have over 12 years experience in non-traditional education. My passion for learning languages led me to Signing Time and – more recently – the new Signing Time Academy. I am honored to be recognized as an Associate Director.

When my son was seven months old, I introduced him to sign language, and the results are amazing. We reduced tantrums, he began reading at 2.5 years, and his oral vocabulary continues to amaze us. Signing Time music, DVDs, and board books are the keys to keeping my son’s interest in American Sign Language and keeping me one step ahead of his quickly growing signing vocabulary.

Our success inspired the creation of Discovery Sign Language, a family-centered business with a mission to spread the joy of signing with children. Since 2005, I have shared American Sign Language with 400+ families at more than a dozen locations in North San Diego County.

Discovery Sign Language classes can currently be found on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Babies in Bloom in Vista, California. Children (ages 0-4 yrs) and their parents, grandparents, and other caregivers are welcome. I also enjoy sharing sign language with play groups, elementary classrooms, and early intervention specialists.

In my free time I read, dance, act, bike and play at the beach. Everywhere I go, I love to sign!!

Kyle Stielow – Midwest Region: Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona. Also: Indonesia, including Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. kyle@signingtimeacademy.com

Hello, I’m Kyle Stielow. I live in Conifer, Colorado with my husband and two beautiful children ages 4 years and 18 months. I have taught preschool in Summit County and Denver and have signed with the children in my classes for over 15 years. I was first introduced to sign language as a young child by my mother.

I was introduced to Signing Time at a teaching conference. In the seminar we learned how to sign 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed using American Sign Language (ASL). I purchased the first three Signing Time DVDs before the end of the conference, not knowing what a rewarding adventure I was embarking on. I have been using Signing Time ever since.

The benefits of signing were validated for me when the children in my classroom moved on to the next class. The teacher would come to observe and ask why little Johnny or Suzy never seemed to throw a tantrum for me but all they seemed to do in her room was scream. After mentoring, this teacher learned some basic signs and watched a Signing Time DVD. When she put signing to practice in her classroom, the screaming stopped. She had finally learned to communicate with her students on their level. I believe that all children learn differently and ASL is one of the tools to help every child become extraordinary.

After my children were born I continued signing at home. My daughter loves “talking” to children of all ages. We have run into children at the park who are deaf and she doesn’t miss a beat. You would have thought they were friends meeting up for a play date. I know Signing Time and ASL have reduced frustration in my home as well as helped my family learn a second language.

Kimberly Schaefer – Central Region: Missouri, Texas, Tennessee. Also: Russia, Middle-Eastern countries includnig Turkey, India, Saudi, and Iran. kimberly@signingtimeacademy.com

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, I have been attracted to sign language since I was a young girl and was curious about a sign language book on my mother’s bookshelf. For the last 12 years, I have been lucky enough to call myself a Sign Language Interpreter and have taught sign language concepts to families since 2006. My passion of Entertainment Interpreting brings me the opportunities of working with artists from Daughtry, Brooks & Dunn, 50 Cent and more.

All of those experiences have enhanced my ability to take sign language and be creative with it, in turn making my role as a Master Signing Time Instructor a perfect fit. Signing Time and the Signing Time Academy has made me realize teaching sign language to families can be so much more fun and tremendously easier when you have the perfect tools at your fingertips.

I am also Mommy to a five year old son, to whom I taught American Sign Language before he could speak (and who begs me to watch Signing Time DVDs with him and his friends). As a family, we love to play together outside, whether biking to a park; playing chase with Jack, our 8 year old black lab; or camping and floating on the lake with friends and family. To occupy my ‘Me Time’ I take great pleasure in reading and relaxing in my hammock, rockin’ out to great music of all kinds, and just taking in the world around me…the world that has brought me to this thrilling new adventure as Associate Director for the Central Region.

Ronai Brumett – Upper Midwest Region: Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin. Also: Africa. ronai@signingtimeacademy.com

Hi, my name is Ronai Brumett and I am an Associate Director and Master Instructor with Signing Time Academy. I have a Deaf Studies Certificate from both North Hennepin Community College and Saint Paul College. I am currently enrolled in the Sign Language Interpreter/Transliterator AAS Degree and will graduate spring of 2011.

I’ve been married to the love of my life for over 15 years and we have 4 amazing children. Joey is 14, Ellie is 12, Stuart is 10 and Nate is 8. I began teaching my four children sign language at a very early age and soon saw the benefits as they excelled in both motor and verbal skills. Signing comes naturally to children and as you learn with Signing Time you will increase your sign vocabulary in a way that is fun & easy. Signing as a family is an experience you will never regret.

The Signing Time curriculum is wonderfully interactive with games and songs to help everyone learn. I look forward to partnering with you as you discover the joys of not only effective communication with your children, but also in learning a new language shared by millions around the world!

Kimberly Fries – Southeast Region: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina. Also: All Caribbean Islands. kimfries@signingtimeacademy.com

My name is Kimberly Fries, and I am Master Signing Time Instructor and Associate Director for the Southeast. As a licensed pediatric speech and language pathologist, I graduated from the University of Central Florida. I have always worked with small children, age birth to six and currently work in Early Intervention with birth to three year olds. Orlando is home to me, my husband and two boys. We enjoy camping, going to the beach and going to Universal Studios when we have time.

I started using sign language with children in speech therapy. When my first son arrived we signed with him and by 18 months old he was communicating verbally. We enjoyed our older son’s insight into the world long before he could talk. Our younger son relied on sign language when he developed a speech disorder that interfered with his ability to communicate. He signed his first three word phrase at 10 months old. I can’t imagine my children not signing and both boys continue to sign today.

Professionally and personally, I have seen the benefits of using American Sign Language with children. I have been teaching American Sign Language to families for eight years and am very excited to be part of the Signing Time Academy team. Using Signing Time with my own children, those receiving therapy and pre-verbal infants has allowed me to assist so many families in communicating effectively. The look in the eyes of the parents and children when they use that first sign still touches me.

Ashlea Weber – Canadian and Upper Atlantic Region: Canada, New York, Maine. Also: the North Pole (Santa will need an A.D.!) ashlea@signingtimeacademy.com

Hi! My name is Ashlea Weber and I have been sharing the exciting world of sign language for young children for over 4 years. I am a Certified Master Instructor with the Signing Time Academy and I own and operate SmallTalk Academy, which runs classes in Barrie, Newmarket and Alliston in Ontario Canada. I attended George Brown College in Toronto Ontario for Early Childhood Education and have worked with children, developing stimulating curriculum and activities for over 10 years. I was chosen to be part of a government-led business program and have taken many business and ASL courses.

I am the mom to a gorgeous 5 year old boy and a passionate volunteer to many causes. I am completely thrilled to be chosen to represent Signing Time as an Associate Director as I hope to introduce many new families to the joys of signing with their little ones. I’m so excited to share my knowledge with many new instructors so they can have the confidence to share this wonderful gift of communication in their community. As both a parent and professional, I have seen firsthand the many benefits of signing and using Signing Time with all children. I am also bilingual – I speak both English and French.

I am also the Canadian wholesale distributor for Signing Time, which means I am helping to spread Signing Time throughout Canada.