That Time of Year Again....

ISRID SPRING CONFERENCE
March 27-29th, 2009
NW Area Education Agency
1520 Morningside Ave.
Sioux City, IA
51106

Hello to All-
It has been a crazy last few months with work, workshops, and life continuing to get better and better needless to say.
I recently traveled to Sioux City, IA as you can read above, to attend the ISRID Spring Conference. (Iowa State Registry Interpreters for the Deaf).
I do have to start out and say that this conference was "personal". I joined the PDC last fall and have truly enjoyed my role and the experience. To be on a committe, such as this one has been more then fullfulling in a number of ways.
We had over 50 in attendence and over a dozen register at the door. (a RECORD thus far)

We had two great presenters that not only educated the group but entertained us all at that.
Saturday we were blessed to have Lynette Reep there.
Lynette came to us with a CI/CT (certificate of interpreters/translators) and has taught workshops on the Use of Discretion in more then a dozen states and Canada since 2004. She attended Northeastern University's "Basic Interpreter Training Program" before the wide-spread advent of four-year training programs and credits her current abilities as well as her emphases on collegial support and collaboration to the extensive informal mentoring she recieved from experienced Interpreters and Deaf consumers early on. A strong believer in the importance of drawing upon experience of both internal and external resources, her teaching strives to recognize and support at every level of experience.
She was a great advocate for both young and seasonal interpreters and I had the pleasure of working "with her" as well as for her being on the PDC.

Sunday we had the opportunity of learning from Linda Diehl-Callaway. Linda has completed her Master Mentor Program through Northeastern University in Boston, MA, is nationally certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) in interpreting (CI) and transliterating (CT), and has a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Linguistics and Spanish. Linda has provided numerous workshops for sign language Interpreters and taught ASL at Northeast Iowa Community College for several years. She currently works full time as Coordinator of the Video Interpreter-Provisonal Program for Sorenson Communications' Davenport, IA site. She also mentors Interpreters, presents workshops, serves as a consultant to several school districts, and does freelance interpreting.
Linda got the audience involved in more then one way and really had a "hands on approach".
I do not know how others consider their style of learning but being in the Interpreting field I am not scared to admit that I work well and learn best interacting in groups and learning from discussions and activities at large.

I had alot of questions going into this weekend as to whether or not this event would be a success but it was that and more. I came home Sunday evening (LATE) and put my feet up and just reflected. I have never been apart of an affilate chapter that was so supportive and open to growth with such variety of attendees.
Being certified in this field does not mean I am "be all know all" so I cherish and respect having opportunities like this weekend. I know in a field like ours we work best "together" and not against each other so I just encourage you all, with the next few months to reach out to someone just graduating an ITP (Interpreter Training Program) or someone who has been in the field awhile, and talk. Talk about interpreting experiences, struggles, and success'. I hope we all are reminded (in more ways then one) what a difference we make in the world. A difference to ourselves, our colleagues but most importantly our consumers who value the work we do and hold trust in us to be apart of their culture and way of life!

As I always end... "Take care of yourself, take care of each other and our profession. It will benefit us all".

-Good Evening Friends/Consumers/Colleagues-
I am ready for Spring!! I hope you are all enjoying your days and look forward to Spring as well. LOL

Well, I would like to update you on work and my life thus far since my last blog.
First and foremost I am recently engaged!! I know, such an exciting time in my life and I couldn't love Jeremy anymore!! He proposed to me on Dec 27th In Walnut (my hometown 40 miles south of Council Bluffs) infront on roughly 100 Hoffmanns/extended family, and friends.
We are proud to say the big day is June 5th, 2010.
Work is going well. I am so lucky to wake up and head into a place that I love so much and find so much joy and yet challenge at the same time.
I recently joined the PDC (Professional Development Committee) for ISRID (Iowa State Registry for the Deaf) and have enjoyed myself very much. Despite all of the hard work I am experiencing many new things. I have enjoyed getting to know the other members and what they stand for. It has most importantly, been a joy and honor to bring my skills, ideas, and suggestions to the Committe.
I joined the PDC to have a "voice" and make sure that Iowa continues to provide the best resources, education, and experiences to the Interpreters and there consumers.
We are in the process of planning the Spring ISRID Conference which is held in Sioux City, IA March 27th-29th. Alot of work is needed yet but I am confidant that the conference will be a huge success.
Come back for an over-view of the conference from my personal experience. :)
And as always,
Take Care of yourself, take care of each other, and take care of our profession.