VASLTA History

Sign language instructors in the Northern Virginia area met on October 5, 1992, and voted to start an ASLTA chapter in the Northern Virginia area. In November 1992, a board of officers was formed, the members voted on the name of the chapter, and a By-Laws Committee was established. In January 1993 VASLTA had its first newsletter, and in November 1993 the National ASLTA approved the VASLTA bylaws.

Past Workshops

"How to Prepare our Students for their Video Feeds/Assignments & Rubric/Assessment for Student's Performance/Expressive Portion" by Kim Pudans-Smith on April 21, 2012
"An Introduction to ASL Linguistics for ASL Teachers" by Katie Faust on November 12, 2011
"Signing Naturally, Units 1-6" by Ken Mikos on May 6-7, 2011
"Signing Naturally, Level II" by Ken Mikos on April 23-25, 2010
"Signing Naturally, Units 1-6" by Ken Mikos and Cheri Smith on August 14-15, 2009
"Assessment and Evaluation in the ASL Classroom" by Brian Leffler on April 26, 2008
"Effective Research Based Classroom Management Strategies in an ASL Classroom" by Leonard Granda and Darryl Israel on April 26, 2008
"Master ASL! Level One Training" by Jason Zinza on February 11, 2006
"State & National Standards Training" by Jason Zinza on October 29, 2005
"ASL/Deaf Literature" by Meg Chojnacki on April 30, 2005
"How to Use Master ASL! within the Virginia SOLs" by Jason Zinza on March 5, 2005
"Fingerspelling Word Recognition" by Dr. Carol Patrie on February 5, 2005
"Using Space Effectively in ASL" by John Lewis on October 30, 2004
"Framework for Instruction in American Sign Language in Virginia's Public Schools" by Cheri Martinez on October 16, 2004
"Birthplaces of Berthier and Clerc" and "Deaf Movement" by Patti Raswant on February 07, 2004
"Historical Linguistics of Sign Languages" by Patti Raswant on October 18, 2003
Various VASLTA workshops held during Virginia Association of the Deaf on July 18-19, 2003
- "Teaching ASL as a 2nd Language" by Brenda Mitchiner & Leticia Arellano
- "Assessment of ASL Students" by Jean Gordon
- "Survival Tips for High School ASL Teachers" by Adele Polk
- "Classroom Dynamics" by Jason Zinza
- "Deaf Japanese in Interment Camps" by Newby Ely
"Black Deaf History" by Carolyn McCaskill-Henry on February 01, 2003
"Mexican Deaf Culture" by Leticia Arellano on September 28, 2002
"Creative ASL Cookbook: Recipes for ASL Performances" by Trix Bruce on April 13, 2002
"Experience of Deaf People in the Holocaust" and "Deaf People in Film and Television" by Stan Schuchman on February 9, 2002
"How to Obtain ASLTA Certification" by Patricia Beech on November 3, 2001
"VGC Part II: Method of Teaching Visual Gestural Communication Including Classifiers" by Gil Eastman on October 13, 2001
"French Sign Language Part 2" by Buck Rogers on May 12, 2001
"French Sign Language" by Buck Rogers on January 27, 2001
"Visual Gestural Communication" by Gil Eastman on November 13, 1999
"How to Use Materials Teaching in Classroom" by Holly Roth on February 20, 1999
"Deaf Culture and Folklore" by Dr. Simon Carmel on October 17, 1998
"ASL Non-Handed Signs Predicates And Adjectives" by Dr. Val Dively on September 19, 1998
"How to Develop Expressive & Receptive Exams for Classroom" by Jean Gordon on November 15-16, 1997
"Breakaways" by Dennis Berrigan on October 25, 1997
"ASL Semantics" by MJ Bienvenu on May 10-11, 1997
"Structure of ASL" by MJ Bienvenu on March 1-2, 1997
"Fingerspelling and Number Usage" by Fred Hartman on November 16, 1996
"Number In ASL" by Holly Roth on October 26, 1996
"Signing Naturally VISTA 2" by Sandra Frankel on September 28 & October 5, 1996
"Signing Naturally VISTA 1" by Lori Maynard on September 7-8, 1996
"Verbs in ASL" by Lynn Jacobowitz on February 10, 1996
"Classroom Management" by Dr. Mike Kemp on November 4, 1995
"Classifiers: What to Teach and Evaluate" by Lynn Jacobowitz on April 9, 1994
"VISTA Signing Naturally" by Dr. Mike Kemp and Brenda Mitchiner on September 8, 9, 14, and 16 1993
"Factors for Successful ASL Acquisition" by Dr. Mike Kemp on April 24, 1993

Past Events

"Blitz School for the Deaf" on October 13, 2012 at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus
Annual General Meeting on September 15, 2012 - Guest Speaker: Keith Cagle on "Dissertation Findings" and "Certification & Evaluation System"
Booth during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 12, 2012
Annual General Meeting on May 25, 2011 - Guest Speaker: Dawn Hitchens-Seymour on "HB1435 and Its Impact on Virginia"
Booth during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 14, 2011
ASL Teachers Mixer on March 26, 2011
Annual General Meeting on June 7, 2010 - Guest Speaker: Jason Zinza on "The Numbers Have It: ASL Acceptance Policies in United States Colleges"
Holiday Party at Lenny Granda's on December 5, 2009
Annual General Meeting on May 18, 2009 - Guest Speaker: Leonard Granda on "Teaching ASL using Technology"
Shareshop on "Multimedia Resources for Teaching ASL" at NVCC Annandale on November 15, 2008
Annual General Meeting on June 2, 2008 - Guest Speaker: Gary Viall on "The Virginia Deaf Community: Then and Now"
Handouts during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 10, 2008
Annual General Meeting on May 21, 2007 - Guest Speaker: Paula Debes on "ASL Program at NVCC"
Booth during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 12, 2007
Booth during FLAVA conference on October 13-14, 2006
Annual General Meeting on May 22, 2006 - Guest Speakers: Dr. E. Lynn Jacobowitz and Dr. Adonia K. Smith on "Rhyming With Eyes and Hands: Using ASL Phonology as Language Learning Tools and Activities"
Booth during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 13, 2006
Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2005 - Guest Speaker: Art Roehrig on "Tactile Signing & Environment"
Booth during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 14, 2005
Information Day at Gallaudet on August 21, 2004 for PCRID and VRID
Annual General Meeting on May 24, 2004 - Guest Speaker: Kris daCosta-Warshauer on "Signomics"
Booth during NVRC's "Celebrates Communication" at GMU on May 22, 2004
Deaf Humor 2004 (11th in series) on April 17, 2004 at Kings Park Library
"Blitz School for the Deaf" on November 01, 2003 at Woodbridge Senior High School
Annual General Meeting on May 12, 2003 - Guest Speaker: Dr. E. Lynn Jacobowitz & Patricia L. Richey, M.A. on "Come Along Veditz's Way: Bringing Back Original American Signs"
"Blitz School for the Deaf" on November 02, 2002 at Community of Faith United Methodist Church
Deaf Humor X: A Celebration of Deaf Culture: featuring "Expressions in Signs" on October 26, 2002 at Kings Park Library
Annual General Meeting on May 13, 2002 - Guest Speaker: Meg Chojnacki on "George Veditz"
Deaf Humor IX: A Celebration of Deaf Culture: featuring "A Melange of stories, poems, songs" on October 27, 2001 at Kings Park Library
1st Picnic on June 30, 2001 at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA
Annual General Meeting on May 14, 2001 - Guest Speaker: Jon Kovacs on "ASL in an Artistic Form"
"Blitz School for the Deaf" on February 24, 2001 at Fairfax County Government Center
Deaf Humor VIII: A Celebration of Deaf Culture: featuring "Stories by CODAs and KODAs" on October 21, 2000 at Kings Park Library
Booth during the Deaf Awareness Day at Kings Dominion on June 3, 2000
Annual General Meeting on May 22, 2000 - Guest Speakers: Jean Gordon and Lori Maynard on "Signs Around the World"
"Blitz School for the Deaf" on January 29, 2000 at Fairfax County Government Center
Deaf Humor VII: A Celebration of Deaf Culture: featuring "Multi-Cultural Stories" on October 30, 1999 at Kings Park Library
Booth during the Deaf Awareness Day at Kings Dominion on June 5, 1999
Annual General Meeting on May 24, 1999 - Guest Speaker: Patti Raswant on "Fingerspelling Tips"
Program Meeting on April 24, 1999: "Videos, Books, Tips, etc. - share your experiences with them"
Program Meeting on March 27, 1999: "VISTA Curriculum - go over units that you need assistance with"
WinterFest on February 12, 1999: a Tri-ASLTA event co-hosted by Chesapeake Bay ASLTA, Frederick ASLTA, and VASLTA
Program Meeting on January 23, 1999: "Expressive Test: How to Develop and Evaluate"
VASLTA & NVSLC Holiday Party on December 5, 1998 at Mama's Italian Restaurant in Fairfax, VA
Deaf Humor VI: A Celebration of Deaf Culture: featuring "An afternoon of Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales in ASL" on November 14, 1998 at Kings Park Library
"The Chapter Excellence Recognition Award" from NAD-ASLTA on July 10, 1998 during the NAD Conference in San Antonio, Texas (in recognition of community and professional services)
Booth during the Deaf Awareness Day at Kings Dominion on May 30, 1998
Annual General Meeting on May 18, 1998 - Guest Speaker: Dr. Rachel Stone on "What's in the future for ASL Teachers at Western Maryland College? A New ASL Specialist Program"
VASLTA & NVSLC Holiday Party on December 5, 1997 at Penderbrook Community Center in Fairfax, VA
Deaf Humor V: A Celebration of Deaf Culture: featuring "ABC Stories, Poetry, and Songs in ASL" on November 1, 1997 at Kings Park Library
Booth during the Deaf Awareness Day at Kings Dominion on May 31, 1997
Annual General Meeting on May 19, 1997 - Guest Speaker: John Mark Ennis on "Stereotypes from Media on Deaf people, ASL, and Interpreters"
Program Meeting on April 22, 1997: Retrospective on "Deaf Studies Conference"
Blitz on March 15, 1997 (co-sponsored with Northern Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf"
Program Meeting on February 10, 1997: "How to Obtain ASLTA Certification"
Program Meeting on January 7, 1997: "Syllabus and Grading"
Tri-ASLTA Chapter Winter Potluck on December 13, 1996
Annual General Meeting on May 20, 1996 - Guest Speaker: Dr. J. S. Schuchman on "Deaf Studies and Gallaudet"
Program Meeting on March 11, 1996: "Signabulary"
Program Meeting on January 22, 1996: "Videotapes, etc."
Annual General Meeting on May 22, 1995 - Guest Speaker: Elaine Shaffer on "How Sign Language Classes Got Started in N. Va. Area"
Program Meeting on February 27, 1995: "How To Give Test In Classroom"

Past Officers

2011-2013 Officers President: Brian Leffler Vice-President: Kevin Taylor Secretary: Vacant (05-2011 till 04-2012) Patricia Beech (04-2012 to 05-2013) Treasurer: Paula Debes (05-2011 to 10-2012) Julie Bagshaw (10-2012 to 05-2013) PDC: Debra Wolff (05-2011 to 08-2012) Brian Leffler (08-2012 to 05-2013) Members-at-Large: Mary Bagby Julie Bagshaw (05-2011 to 10-2012) Bradley Brown (11-2012 to 05-2013) Kalen Beck (05-2011 to 08-2012) Adele Polk (08-2012 to 05-2013) Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech Webmaster: Patricia Beech	2009-2011 Officers President: Lenny Granda Vice-President: Cheri Martinez Secretary: Lynn Rafferty Treasurer: Paula Debes PDC: Brian Leffler Members-at-Large: Mary Bagby Julie Bagshaw Emily Dobbs Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech Webmaster: Patricia Beech
2007-2009 Officers President: Lenny Granda Vice-President: Vacant Secretary: Emily Dobbs Treasurer: Paula Debes PDC: Adele Polk Members-at-Large: Mary Bagby Brian Leffler Barbara Stansbury Newsletter Editor: Julie Moffitt Bagshaw Webmaster: Patricia Beech	2005-2007 Officers President: Adele Polk Vice-President: Cheri Martinez Secretary: Maggie Bales Treasurer: Nancy Shugart PDC: Mary Bagby Members-at-Large: Beth Klein Jill Moebus Barbara Stansbury Newsletter Editor: Julie Moffitt Bagshaw Webmaster: Patricia Beech
2003-2005 Officers President: Adele Polk Vice-President: Cheri Martinez (September 2004 to May 2005) and Deanna D'Arcy (2003 to Spring 2004) Secretary: Jill Moebus Treasurer: Sandy Wise PDC: Patricia Beech Members-at-Large: Kris daCosta-Warshauer Barbara Stansbury Juanita Hall (September 2004 to May 2005), Nina Moore (March 2004 to August 2004), and Sharon Bailey (2003 to March 2004) Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech Webmaster: Patricia Beech	2001-2003 Officers President: Patti Raswant Vice-President: Adele Polk Secretary: Sharon Bailey Treasurer: Sandy Wise PDC: Patricia Beech Members-at-Large: Cynthia Powers Burgett Deanna D'Arcy Jill Moebus Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech Webmaster: Patricia Beech
1999-2001 Officers President: Carrie Tamashiro-Bush Vice-President: Monica Shimmin Secretary: LeeAnn Carrera Treasurer: Sandy Wise PDC: Patti Raswant (2000-2001) & Steve Chough (1999) Members-at-Large: Cynthia Powers Burgett Bill Ennis Mala Kleinfeld Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech (2000-2001) & Adele Polk (1999) Webmaster: Patricia Beech	1997-1999 Officers President: Patricia Beech Vice-President: Paula Yanke Secretary: Jane Harmon Treasurer: Laurie Dowling PDC: Bill Ennis Members-at-Large: Karen Engelhardt Norton Mala Kleinfeld Sandra Wise Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech Webmaster: Patricia Beech
1995-1997 Officers President: Patricia Beech Vice-President: Adele Polk Secretary: Sandra Wise Treasurer: Laurie Dowling PDC: Bill Ennis Members-at-Large: Cynthia Burton Jill Moebus Paula Yanke Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech Webmaster: Patricia Beech	1993-1995 Officers President: Patricia Raswant Vice-President: Paula Yanke Secretary: Kenny Hynes Treasurer: Laurie Dowling (1994-1995) & Mari Sorrell (1993) PDC: Mike Kemp Members-at-Large: Leona Ames Patricia Beech Jill Moebus Newsletter Editor: Patricia Beech (1995) & Patti Raswant (1993-1994)