Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1081161
During last spring's protests at Marlton, UTLA offi- cers and professional staff were there in support every step of the way. (UTLA members continue to support their Deaf colleagues with sign language interpreting services at UTLA conferences, meetings and rallies.) Marlton audiologist Mallorie Evans, who serves on the UTLA Board of Directors, says the Deaf community's support and union activism forced the district to listen to educators' concerns. "UTLA stepped up in a major way when Marlton teachers needed them the most. Even though they didn't know much about Deaf Education and the unique needs of our students, they learned quickly and empowered the teachers to organize and take a stand for the school our students deserve." "LAUSD is finally listening to the Deaf commu- nity and Deaf Education experts," says Stephanie Johnson, Marlton's UTLA chapter chair and a Deaf teacher for first- and second-graders who has been at the school for nearly 20 years. "We could not have accomplished this without UTLA's support." Marlton educators will continue to push for positive changes to benefit students, teachers and classroom conditions with union support. "We still have a long way to go," says teacher Laura Carls. "But knowing our union brothers and sisters are behind us — and support us — helps us to keep hope alive that things will change for the better." successful academically," says Claire Ettlin, who teaches third- and fourth-graders. "There are enormous benefits to having language exposure everywhere in school. e social aspect of the school alone is an enormous gain for the students as opposed to a mainstream school, where many Deaf children suffer from isolation, which can affect their edu cation regard l e ss of th e quality of instruction they may receive." Marlton has a great sense of community, she adds. "We are constantly advocating for our population and trying to give them access and opportunity wherever it is possible." "Marlton school culture is very close-knit and nurturing," says Mallorie Evans, an audi- ologist at Marlton for 13 years. "Since many students come from families in which they have little or no communica- tion, school becomes home to them. It's a place where they can truly express themselves and have meaningful relation- ships with others who are like them. Students' attachments are much deeper at Marlton than it is at most schools." Maria Hernandez graduated from Marlton in 2009, earned a bachelor's degree from CSU Northridge in liberal studies, and works at Marlton as a paraeducator. She wants to become an elementary teacher at the school. "I learned so much here," she says. "is is a place with great teachers. It's a place where we can teach Deaf students about life and how to become role models." See the following page for a brief history of Deaf Education. " This is a place with great teachers. It's a place where we can teach Deaf students about life and how to become role models." — Maria Hernandez, Marlton School paraeducator Union Strong Noe Perez, vice president of the Marlton senior class. Below left, Maria Hernandez, Marlton paraeducator and graduate. 37 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 019 Stephanie Johnson