RACHEL BERMAN-KOBYLARZ

(602) 586.1078 rgberman@gmail.com

Ann Arbor, MI linkedin.com/in/rachelgberman
CAREER FOCUS
Pursuing a lecturer (remote and face-to-face) or specialist position where I can use my broad and extensive
subject matter expertise in the delivery of program development and provision of courses, materials and
curricula to achieve team performance and goals in an inclusive and diverse academic environment. It is my
goal to work for a reputable university or organization where I can collaborate to create, influence, and facilitate
the integration, translation, and instruction of ASL in communication between the students and Deaf/Hard of
Hearing/DeafBlind and DeafDisabled Community.

IN BRIEF
Bringing 12+ years of professional ASL instruction and consulting experience in diverse and fast-paced learning
environments including academia, private industry, and the arts, demonstrating the ability to:
▪ Deliver exceptional student and client experiences and to building trust-based, long-term relationships
through handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately
▪ Contribute directly to successful project completion and internal drive necessary to work independently
▪ Facilitate workshops and training to all levels of understanding and/or skill in American Sign Language
(ASL) in person as well as using video-based learning platforms
▪ Serve as advocate for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and Deaf-Disabled Community and provide
disability support via accurate translations, responding with the appropriate sense of urgency
▪ Effectively communicate in ASL and English (written or spoken) with diversity lens and present
information clearly to personnel at every level within any organization, including ASL-only
environments
▪ Adapt quickly to new environments, processes, or personnel

SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE:
Leadership ASL Program Assessments Motivating Teams
Customer Service Online Instructional Design Problem Solving
ADA Compliance Video & Digital Content Creation Cultural Competence
HR – DHH Consulting Public Speaking & Presentations Sensitivity Training
Language Translation & Glossing Captioning Situational Awareness
ASL – Tactile & Visual Deaf Theater Directing Blended Learning
ASL Curriculum Development Training Facilitation Issue Resolution
ASL Quality Audit & Analysis Coaching & Mentoring Social Media

ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

ASL Teacher Association (ASLTA) – Member
ASL Teacher Association of Colorado (ASLTAC) – Member & Past Professional Development Chair
CORE Interpreters Denver – Language Mentor
Phamaly Theater Company – Volunteer & ASL Coach
Arizona Deaf Theater – Co-Director: Vagina Monologues in ASL & ASL Dance Choreographer: The Arkansaw Bear
Miss Deaf Arizona – Volunteer, Chaperone & ASL Coach

COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES
MS Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook; Google Suite: Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Hangout,
Meet; Apple: iOS, iMovie, Pages, Final Cut Pro, iBooks; Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
LinkedIn, YouTube Creator Studio; Other: MediaSite, Canvas LMS, D2L LMS, Blackboard LMS,
PlayPosit, Flipgrid, Kaltura Capture, GoReact, WebEx and Zoom

LANGUAGES
English –Fluent
American Sign Language (ASL) – Fluent (Level 4 Proficiency on ASLPI)
International Sign Language (ISL) – Beginner
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI (July 2020-present)
Assistant Professor and Program Faculty Chair, Sign Language Interpreter Preparation
Program – Directly responsible for course development and classroom instruction of beginner to
advanced American Language courses consistent with current developments in the discipline and
teaching methods.
▪ Participate in program/department meetings and divisional/college-wide committees with a focus
on continual improvement of programs and learning outcomes
▪ Act as a liaison between the director of the department and program
▪ Coordinate monthly program meetings, conduct program reviews and implement item actions, guide
decision-making process as a program, review and approve course schedule and update program
operation plan including budget each semester
▪ Participate in curriculum and course development, course and program coordination, tutoring and
advising students, mentoring and reviewing papers, and shared governance of the College

University of Colorado, Boulder, CO (Aug 2018 – July 2020)

Full-time ASL Instructor – Directly responsible for course development and classroom instruction
of beginner to advanced American Sign Language courses and serving the students’ academic needs
in learning ASL curriculum.
▪ Applied and received a $5K grant to construct new online courses with the incorporation of a digital
ASL curriculum which was taught in summer 2020
▪ Developed course content for ASL 1- 3 course levels
▪ Continually improved through the review and revision of materials to incorporate advancements in
adult L2 methodologies and engagement with content
▪ Served as Chair of ASL Curriculum Committee
▪ Managed classrooms and assessments of students’ performance in person and via LMS
▪ Facilitated instruction of 4 classes to 19 students per class
▪ Consulted with students weekly via office hours, emails, and guest lectures
▪ Participated in professional development activities, service, and departmental meetings
▪ Maintained an evaluation rating of 5.5 out of 6 for teacher effectiveness

Community College of Aurora, Aurora, CO (Aug 2016 – May 2018)

Adjunct ASL Instructor – Directly responsible for teaching ASL courses and evaluating students’
proficiency based upon the course level and goals. Hereafter, similar to all Adjunct ASL Instruction.
▪ Taught undergraduate students in the field of ASL
▪ Developed and managed class syllabus, ensured that the syllabus met department standards
▪ Planned and created lectures, facilitated in-class discussions, and assignments
▪ Assessed grades for students based on participation, performance in class, assignments, and
examinations and advised students on how to be successful and achieve goals
▪ Reported student learning outcomes, class reviews, and analyzed student data
▪ Collaborated with colleagues on course curriculum
▪ Stayed updated on innovations and changes within ASL and adult education delivery

Community College of Denver, Denver, CO (Aug 2016 – Dec 2016)

Adjunct ASL Instructor – Responsible for teaching ASL courses and evaluating students’
proficiency based upon the course level and goals. Similar to all other Adjunct ASL Instruction.
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO (Aug 2015 – May 2018)
Full-time ASL Senior Lecturer
American Sign Language and Interpreting Studies – Responsible for instruction of all ASL levels
in undergraduate program committed to dynamic language and culture instruction and deaf
community-based collaborations and learning.
▪ Led digital conversion of test materials, assisted with videos, scripts, and feedback to signing models
▪ Served as Chair of ASL Curriculum Committee
▪ Provided mentorship and guidance to ASL adjuncts and graduate assistants
▪ Managed classrooms and assessments of students’ performance
▪ Instructed 4 classes to 25 students per class, online and onsite
▪ Consulted with students weekly via office hours, emails, and guest lectures
▪ Averaged rating of 4.5 out of 5 for teacher effectiveness
▪ Participated in professional development activities, service, and department meetings
▪ Developed Introduction to ASL presentation in conjunction with World Language Day directed
toward 200+ high school students as a recruitment tool for the ASL and Interpreting Studies Program

Zoey Goes, Denver, CO (Aug 2013 – Aug 2015)

Founder and Author – Directly responsible for design, development, publishing, and marketing
of a bilingual eBook series for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and families.
▪ Developed the main character and storylines, drafted, and edited in iBooks app
▪ Produced ASL videos of the lines and organized and ASL dictionary within the eBooks
▪ Served as creative director, worked with illustrators and graphic designers to complete layouts
▪ Led marketing efforts and successfully spearheaded fundraising to obtain $1K photo studio kit
▪ Hosted numerous library workshops for DHH children throughout Fremont, CA and Seattle, WA
▪ Demonstrated during workshops how to create their own eBooks and tell their compelling stories

ASL Slam, Denver, CO (Aug 2014 – Dec 2015)

Venue Manager and Artistic Director, Social Media Manager – Responsible for establishing
and managing the franchise, creating awareness, and increasing patronage to monthly events.
▪ Managed all aspects of events including venue set-up, ticketing, coordinating with the venue
manager, marketing, designing special-guest events and assigning artists and emcees
▪ Provided social media management of event profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
▪ Delivered daily friendly and engaging content to drive awareness and participation
▪ Researched social media marketing techniques to increase visibility and traffic
▪ Created and produced video content (ASL Etymology videos & GIFs) related to ASL and Deaf jokes
▪ Consulted for ASL Slam regarding website interface during the website renovation
▪ Collaborated with the Westword Magazine Videographer in assigning artists for interviews
▪ Oversaw the editing process to ensure ASL translation accuracy of captioning and timecoding

Metro State University, Denver, CO (Aug 2014 – May 2015)

Adjunct ASL Instructor – Responsible for teaching ASL courses and evaluating students’ proficiency
based upon the course level and goals. Similar to all other Adjunct ASL Instruction.
Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, Phoenix, AZ (Aug 2013 – May 2014)
Substitute Teacher – Directly responsible for serving as back-up when it is necessary for the ASL
teacher to be absent to continue curriculum facilitation seamlessly.
▪ Supported the absent educator’s plan and program of study that, as much as possible, met the
individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students
▪ Adhered to daily lesson plans that include objectives, and activities to support those objectives
▪ Created a classroom environment that was conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity
and interests of the students and cultural diversity
▪ Guided the learning process toward the achievement of goals and established clear objectives for all
lessons, units, and communicated these objectives to students
▪ Employed a variety of instructional techniques consistent with the physical limitations of the location
provided as well as the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved
▪ Took necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
▪ Maintained accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and
administrative regulation and classroom owner
▪ Administered all policies and rules governing student life and conduct along with reasonable rules of
classroom behavior and procedures to maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner
▪ Maintained a positive working relationship with the school staff and the community

Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ (Jan 2010 – May 2012)

Adjunct ASL Instructor – Responsible for teaching ASL courses and evaluating students’
proficiency based upon the course level and goals. Similar to all other Adjunct ASL Instruction.
Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix, AZ (Aug 2009 – May 2012)
Adjunct ASL Instructor – Responsible for teaching ASL courses and evaluating students’
proficiency based upon the course level and goals. Similar to all other Adjunct ASL Instruction.
Phoenix College, Phoenix, AZ (Aug 2009 – Dec 2009)
Adjunct ASL Instructor, Interpreter Preparation Program – Responsible for teaching ASL
courses and interpreter preparation then, evaluating proficiency based on course level and goals.
▪ Provided skills and training in sign language interpreting to prepare students for employment as
American Sign Language/English interpreters working with deaf and hard of hearing communities
▪ Prepared, revised, developed, and delivered course content for ASL course level 5 - Comparative
ASL/English Linguistics

Berman ASL Consulting Services, LLC, Denver, CO (Aug 2008 – Present)

Owner & Principal ASL Consultant – Responsible for the day-today operations of a private
consulting services company where I work with individuals, groups, and companies across a
variety of private, public, and creative environments to educate, advise, advocate, and influence
our collective environment through the inclusion of the deaf culture and ASL in all aspects of life.
▪ Deliver private, and group tutoring up to 30 students in conversational ASL
▪ Develop ASL programs along with supporting content for delivery in multiple media/formats
▪ Consult in arts/entertainment and provide ASL stage coaching, translation, and glossing for projects
▪ Assist clients in developing best practice guidelines, deployment strategies, and documentation
▪ Facilitate training and workshops to internal and external stakeholders to educate teams on ASL use
▪ Provide timely and accurate interpretation and translation services
▪ Serve private and large corporate clients where Deaf/HH professionals are employed and valued
Selected Project Highlights
▪ ASL Tutor, Trainer, and Teacher
− Amazon Fulfillment (DEN5 and DEN3) − Department of Regulatory Agencies
− Denver Center for Performing Arts − Coors Distribution Company
− Deaffriendly.com − Trader Joe’s
− Microsoft
▪ ASL Community Instruction
− Marion Downs Center − Rocky Mountain Deaf School
− Arizona Total Immersion Program
▪ ASL Curriculum Contributing Author
- Vista Higher Learning
▪ Instructor and Customized Digital Content Creator
- Expert Village (100K+ views), eHow.com
▪ Theater and Stage, Script Translation, and Consulting
- ImaginASL – Night, Mother, and Silent Salzburg (ASL Stage Master)
- Hands-On Productions & Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities – Seussical the Musical, Junie B.
Jones, and Tribes
- University of Northern Colorado – Tribes
- Denver Center for Performing Arts – Meeting the Needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Patrons
- Phamaly-Honk!
▪ Public Speaking
- Side Stories RiNo – ASL Poet
- Deaffriendly – Be Deaffriendly, Providence, RI; Hartford, CT; Baltimore, MD; Berkley, CA
- Various Bookstores, Libraries, and Schools in California and Washington – Zoey Goes,
Presentation to DHH families

Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. (Jan 2007 – May 2007)

Graduate Teaching Assistant – Responsible for teaching Clinical Application of Sign Communication
course and evaluating students’ proficiency based on course level and goals. Similar to other Adjunct ASL
Instruction.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO (Dec 2015) M.A. – Teaching American Sign Language (ASL)
Gallaudet University Washington, D.C. (Dec 2009) M.S. – Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ (May 2005) B.S – Speech and Hearing Sciences, Minor: Family Studies
Study Abroad, Orvieto, Italy – Latin and Art (Summer 2005)
Deaf Interpreter Certification (CDI) Class-40 hours (Spring 2020)
Teaching Online Certification (TOC)-Fall 2021

HONORS AND AWARDS

TEDxMileHigh
− Hands – Speaker (2019)
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
− Detection to Connection – Panelist (2019)
CORE Denver, Red Rocks Community College
− Upping Your Game: Teaming and Prepping like a Pro – Co-Presenter (2019)
NAD Conference and EHDI Conventions
− Social Capital for Deaf Children and their Families: The Role of Summer Programs – Presenter (2009 & 2016)
UNC's Annual Women's Conference
− Creating a Space for Deaf Womxn in Feminism – Presenter (2014)
Recipient – Westword’s Best Alternative Slam (2015)
Recipient – Stryker Institute for Leadership Development Scholarship (2014)
Published – Zoey Goes Book Series (2013)
Elected – Vice President Gallaudet University Graduate Student Association (2009)