by Gwen Cox, Signing Time Academy Director

In the summer of 1992 in Barcelona, Spain, 12 men from the United States formed the US Olympic Basketball “Dream Team” and took home the Gold.  What many people don’t realize is that the US Women’s Olympic Basketball Team also took home a medal of their own – a shiny Bronze. Together with the men, they complete the 24-member “Dream Team” that went to Spain to compete for the United States.

Now that the 2010 Winter Olympics has passed, I decided to bring this theme of champions to the Signing Time Academy! I’d like to introduce you to our very own “Winter Dream Team.”  These 24 men and women have demonstrated great skills in the area of teaching families and professionals how to use ASL signs for early communication and bonding.  They are also among the first to become Instructors in the Signing Time Academy.  Their determination and vision of teaching families from the onset has set them apart.  Even though I see all our Instructors as one big Dream Team, these 24 are truly pioneers in their communities.

Anyone can pick up a book and try to learn how to sign.  It takes a true professional to take the Signing Time and Baby Signing Time products and show families how to maximize their use for the greatest benefit.  We have hundreds of testimonials about the powerful results of using Signing Time and Baby Signing Time products in the home and now we have expanded that benefit to include training for adults and children wanting to learn how to get started.  Sharing results and fun experiences with other families in the classroom has proven to be a “gold medal winner” idea!

We invite all families and professionals to come and visit the Academy and contact a professional Instructor in their area.  Our Instructors are the best team-players and we give them all a perfect “10” for their dedication and passion for teaching.

Please get to know our Winter Dream Team.  Take a moment and contact an Instructor in your area and ask about their classes for families.  Like the Olympics, it will be an experience you will never forget!

1. Amanda Paxton – Master Signing Time Instructor-Port St. Lucie, Florida   apaxton@signingtimeacademy.com
2. Angela Chang – Baby Signing Time Instructor-Xi zhi, Taiwan      angie@signingtimeacademy.com
3. April Salisbury – Baby Signing Time Instructor – Athol, Massachusetts april@signingtimeacademy.com
4. Danielle Gaylord  -  Master Signing Time Instructor – Ottawa, Ontario – Canada  danielle@signingtimeacademy.com
5. Emily Vasica  -  Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Herriman, Utah  emily@signingtimeacademy.com
6. Erika Vetter  -  Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Menlo Park, California    erika@signingtimeacademy.com
7. Ginger Cleveland  -  Baby Signing Time Instructor – Grand Prairie, Texas  ginger@signingtimeacademy.com
8. Gloria Rojas  -  Master Signing Time Instructor – Buffalo Grove, Illinois   Gloria@signingtimeacademy.com
9. James MacCall – Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  showmeasign@signingtimeacademy.com
10. Janelle St. Martin – Master Signing Time Instructor – Bridgeport, West Virginia   janelle@signingtimeacademy.com
11. Jessica Holland – Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Edmond, Oklahoma  comesignwithjessica@signingtimeacademy.com
12. Kenisha Groomes Faulk – Baby Signing Time Instructor – New York   comesignwithkenisha@signingtimeacademy.com
13. Maren Berry – Baby Signing Time Instructor – Corona, California marenberry@signingtimeacademy.com
14. Margot Holmes – Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Sharon, Vermont   margot@signingtimeacademy.com
15. Melisa Mons – Master Signing Time Instructor – Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania  melisamons@signingtimeacademy.com
16. Michele Erickson – Baby Signing Time Instructor – Oakland, New Jersey merickson@signingtimeacademy.com
17. Monta Briant – Advanced Signing Time Instructor – San Diego, California montab@signingtimeacademy.com
18. Patricia Thompson – Baby Signing Time Instructor – Sanford, North Carolina  pat@signingtimeacademy.com
19. Ramona Snyder – Baby Signing Time Instructor – San Jose, California   ramonasnyder@signingtimeacademy.com
20. Randy Lee – Baby Signing Time Instructor – Provo, Utah  randy@signingtimeacademy.com
21. Shala LaMothe  - Master Signing Time Instructor – Fayetteville, North Carolina  shala@signingtimeacademy.com
22. Stephanie Behunin – Baby Signing Time Instructor – Brookland, Arkansas stephbehunin@signingtimeacademy.com
23. Suzanne Robinson – Master Signing Time Instructor – Rutledge, Tennessee  Suzanne@signingtimeacademy.com
24. Teresa Litman – Master Signing Time Instructor – Longmont, Colorado   Teresa@signingtimeacademy.com

And, as a side note, we want to thank the Dream Team “Coaches” that have helped this team and all the members at the Academy to become the best they can be.   Rebecca Overson and LeeAnn Mason are both Instructors and staff members at Two Little Hands Productions and have helped all of the Instructors at the Academy excel by creating resources that will help the Instructors to help all of the families in their areas.  Gold medals go out to these two ladies for all their help!

by Gwen Cox, Signing Time Academy Director

As you may have heard, the Signing Time Academy has recently opened its doors and the virtual halls are buzzing with activity.  Each month I will focus on a special Instructor that has exemplified the essence of the Academy and its mission.

This month, however, I can’t just pick ONE! During the first few days after we launched this new network of certified instructors, there were a number of applicants that stood out among the rest because of their hard work and their “get it done” attitude. I nicknamed them The Dynamic Dozen.

This group has worked hard to help create an Academy that supports and motivates all who come through our “doors.”   There are obviously many more Instructors that have since come on that are an integral part of the structure of the Academy and are doing an amazing job.  You will hear about a new instructor each month!

And now, without further adieu, I’m pleased to introduce The Dynamic Dozen (plus one!):

Abbey Cook, Master Signing Time Instructor – Peoria, Illinois abbey@signingtimeacademy.com

Amanda Hudgins, Baby Signing Time Instructor – Surprise, Arizona amanda@signingtimeacademy.com

Brenda Jones, Master Signing Time Instructor – Corona, California brendajones@signingtimeacademy.com

Cathy Ybarra, Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Henderson, Nevada cybarra@signingtimeacademy.com

Christine Fitzgerald, Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Burbank, California cfitzgerald@signingtimeacademy.com

Dana Iungerich, Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Frisco, Texas dana@signingtimeacademy.com

Franci Agajanian, Advanced Signing Time Instructor  - Hermosa Beach, California teacherfranci@signingtimeacademy.com

Hedi Bright, Baby Signing Time Instructor – Laconia, New Hampshire

hedi@signingtimeacademy.com

Jen Norton, Master Signing Time Instructor  - Peterborough, Ontario jnorton@signingtimeacademy.com

Jennifer Turnbull, Master Signing Time Instructor – Knox, Maine jennifer@signingtimeacademy.com

Jessica McLaren, Baby Signing Time Instructor – Twenty-Nine Palms, California jmclaren@signingtimeacademy.com

Ronai Brumett, Master Signing Time Instructor – Maple Grove, Minnesota ronai@signingtimeacademy.com

Sue Rouillard, Advanced Signing Time Instructor – Whitefield, New Hampshire sueroulillard@signingtimeacademy.com

I hope you will take some time today and contact them about classes that they are offering in your area.  You can view all Certified Instructors here. Click on your state or Province to see if there is one near you. We have over 100 instructors either certified or in the process of becoming certified, so be sure to check back frequently.

If YOU want to become a part of the Academy, you can find out more at www.signingtimeacademy.com.  This could be an opportunity for you in 2010, to start your own business, reaching out to families in your community and provide them with the educational tools that help them to learn to sign with their children. We are a very diverse institution with men and women from all parts of the world interested in teaching parents how to use the Signing Time materials to enhance their lives through early communication.  We invite you to join us!

———————————————————————————————————————

*Next month read about THE DREAM TEAM.  These individuals have been instrumental in using their creative abilities to help other Instructors make the teaching experience a memorable one!

It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

Friend

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from:

Baby Signing Time Vol. 4 - Let's Be Friends

Baby Signing Time Volume 4 – Let’s Be Friends

Created specifically for babies as young as 3 months old up to 3 years, yet fun for the whole family! Features host Rachel Coleman, along with animated Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins. Baby Signing Time Vol. 4: Let’s Be Friends sets your baby’s day to music with signs for everyday things in your baby’s world: friends, emotions, fruits & veggies, opposites, and more.

Buy Now

It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

Day

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. Print in color or black-and-white and adjust the print size according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from:

Baby Signing Time Volume 3 - A New Day

Baby Signing Time Volume 3 – A New Day

Created specifically for babies as young as 3 months old up to 3 years, yet fun for the whole family! Features host Rachel Coleman, along with animated Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins. Baby Signing Time Vol. 3: A New Day sets your baby’s day to music with signs for everyday things in your baby’s world: nature, weather, following directions, and more.

Review by dotcomprincess:  Bravo! I absolutely love BST 3! Fresh, fun, catchy songs; it’s a fun and bright show. There is no better entertainment for kids, period!

Buy Now

It’s Tuesday… here’s your sign of the week!

SHOES

Watch the Video (Click the Image Below to Play) Free QuickTime Player required

Download the Flashcard (click on the image. The file contains a few color and black-and-white options. Print according to your needs.)

This week’s sign comes from:

Baby Signing Time Vol. 2 - Here I Go

Baby Signing Time Volume 2 – Here I Go

Created specifically for babies as young as 3 months old up to 3 years, yet fun for the whole family! Features host Rachel Coleman, along with animated Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins. Baby Signing Time Volume 2 sets your baby’s day to music as you learn signs for everyday events in baby’s life: getting dressed, traveling, being polite, getting ready for bed, and more.

One review By Rochelle Lockard states: 20+ Signs in One Month My 16 month old daughter LOVES this video! I had bought volumes 1 & 2 in October 2007 she was 13months after one month she was signing over 20 different signs that she learned in the video. Now she is requesting to watch it all the time baby doing the sign for baby signing time. It is so wonderful to be able to communicate with her and understand what she has to say through signing. I am a teacher and I have also incorporated the signs that I had learned in the video with my class and they too love signing. Thank you so much for this video our whole family loves it.

Read More Reviews

Buy Now