RID CI/CT, NAD V, BEI Advanced, EIPA 4.9 (Elementary ASL) Melissa is professor emeritus and former director of the ASL-English interpreting program at Palomar College in San Marcos, California from 1997-2021. She earned doctoral and Master’s degrees in Teaching and Learning from the University of California, San Diego, and a BA in Spanish with a minor in American Indian Studies from San Diego State University. Her doctoral research explores the practices and decisions of interpreters working in public schools and was published by Gallaudet University Press as More than Meets the Eye: Revealing the Complexities of an Interpreted Education (2013).Her extensive background in education and language acquisition, her own experiences as a second language learner, and her work as an interpreter and interpreter educator allow her to examine the work of educational interpreters through multiple lenses. More importantly, as the parent of a Deaf young adult, a hearing child, and the former foster parent of two young Deaf children, she brings a unique perspective to her work and presentations. She is passionate about the work she does and is fueled by close connections with family and friends.
Curriculum Vitae
Education Doctor of Education, Teaching and Learning, University of California, San Diego, 2010 Dissertation: More than Meets the Eye: Revealing the Complexities of K-12 Interpreting Master of Arts, Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Curriculum Design,University of California, San Diego, 1998 Thesis: Enhancing Self-Regulation in ASL/English Interpreting through Scaffolded Instruction and Peer Collaboration Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, Distinction in Spanish, San Diego State University, 1997 Major: Spanish Minor: American Indian Studies Professional Certifications and Credentials Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Level V, Master Interpreter, National Association of the Deaf Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, 4.9 (Elementary: ASL) Board of Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI), Master (Awarded October 2019) Teaching and Administrative Experience 1997- Spring 2021 Professor; Director of ASL-English Translation & Interpreting Studies; Academic Coordinator of ASL/Interpreting Lab, Palomar College Spring 2020 Visiting Scholar: Gallaudet University, Department of Interpreting and Translation Dec. 2015 – Present Project Manager, IDEAL: Step Up for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth International Deaf Education, Advocacy & Leadership [realideal.org] 2006-2008 Course Content Specialist, Adjunct Instructor, National University Develop and teach courses on the acquisition of sign language in program leading to a Master of Science in Special Education – Emphasis in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing 2004-2006 Assistant Director; Associate Professor, Program for Interpreters in Educational Settings (PInES) funded by the California Department of Education, Palomar College 2003-2004 Instructor, Educational Interpreter Certificate Program, Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training Center, Front Range Community College 1995-1997 Adjunct Instructor, Palomar College 1990-1995 Adjunct Instructor, San Diego Community College District Interpreting Experience 1986-present Network Interpreting Service and currently affiliated with Sorenson Community Interpreting Services, Access Interpreting, Language Line Solutions 1986-2018 Deaf Community Services of San Diego, Inc. Freelance Interpreter 1988-1994 San Diego State University Lead Interpreter 1988 San Diego Unified School District Interpreter 1985-1988 San Diego Community College District Interpreter 1986-87 Western Oregon State College Staff Interpreter/Mentor Publications Interpreting in Education (2015). In Jourdenais, R. and Mikkelson, H (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Interpreting. London, UK. Routledge. More than Meets the Eye: Revealing the Complexities of an Interpreted Education. (2013). Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. More than Meets the Eye: Revealing the Complexities of K-12 Interpreting. (2010). Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of California, San Diego. Opening Our Eyes: The Complexity of Competing Visual Demands in Interpreted Classrooms. (2010). In K.C. Christensen (Ed.), Ethical Considerations in Educating Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. Taking a Closer Look: Examining the Practice and Decisions of K-12 Interpreters. (2011). Across the Board: Magazine of the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association. Enhancing Self-Regulation in ASL/English Interpreting through Scaffolded Instruction and Peer Collaboration. (1998). Unpublished Master’s thesis, University of California, San Diego, 1998
