Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1081161
T E A C H E R S , P A R E N T S , students and alumni of Marlton School took to the streets twice last spring. e revolt was sparked by the dearth of administrators who are f luent in American Sign Language (ASL) and have experience and trainin g in D eaf E du cation . P rot e st ers al s o charged that neglect by Los Angeles Unified School District (L AUSD) has resulted in cuts to extracurricular programs, sports and elec- tives; large class sizes; high staff turnover ; and decreased morale in educators and students. Protesters demanded the departure of the school principal, because she lacked knowledge and experience in Deaf Education, was not fluent in ASL, and could not fluently communicate with Deaf students and staff. e principal has since left, an interim principal is on campus, and a new principal is slated to be hired next fall. Educators have reason to hope that the next principal will be different. e first-of-its-kind LAUSD school principal job description requires the new hire to be experienced in Deaf Education and fluent in ASL, instead of meeting requirements for principals at typical hearing schools. Another positive outcome since the protests is that United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) member Lauren Maucere was hired as the new program specialist for LAUSD. She is Deaf, a former Marlton teacher, and the current president of California Educators of the Deaf. She will work with all ASL-English bilingual programs within the district and has begun vis- iting classrooms and meeting with staff to help improve outcomes for Deaf students. Her hiring is a groundbreaking move and a step in the right direction, say educators. "I believe it's the first time a Deaf person is working at the district level with the Deaf Edu- cation sector, and it's about time," says Maucere. "Deaf people are rooted in their community, which is rich in heritage, culture, language and connections they bring to the classroom. Deaf people, especially those trained in Deaf Edu- cation, must be a critical part of the Deaf Ed system, for they United Teachers Los Angeles members at Marlton School say their voices are finally being heard at the school for Deaf students in Los Angeles By Sherry Posnick-Goodwin Photos by Scott Buschman Deaf Educators Speak 32 cta.org feature Lauren Maucere