Diane Kiriaji - Maine and Eastern Massachusetts
Diane has been interested in ASL and learning about the deaf community for years.
However, it wasn't until her daughters "left the nest" and headed off to college that she started thinking about what type of career move would make her the happiest. It was time to think about finding something she LOVED to do, rather than working at something she HAD to do. Along came My Smart Hands.
"I started researching things that I could work on within the deaf community and instead I came along the My Smart Hands website. Signing for hearing babies and their parents ... wow, I only wish I had known about that when I had my first child 21 years ago! However, I can at least now pass this information on to my own children so they can use this knowledge when they have children of their own. Though I don't have babies in the house myself anymore, I absolutely love interacting with babies and toddlers so I'm very much looking forward to starting these classes and passing on this information to new parents and their children."
Diane has raised two beautiful daughters who are now 18 and 21 and off looking into starting their own careers. She has been a middle school special education teaching assistant and was extremely involved with her children's elementary school when they were young. She was secretary of her local PTA and was instrumental in piloting several new programs at the school such as the weekly newsletter, birthday recognition days and "Step Up Day" - a fun-filled day of celebration held at the end of every year for children moving on to the next grade. They got to meet their new teacher and see who was going to be in their class, which alleviated much of the jitters and anticipation about the new year to come. So Diane has had the pleasure of a great deal of experience with children and within the teaching community as well. She currently works at a doctor's office and wishes to pursue ASL at a higher level so that she will be able to communicate more effectively with several of their deaf or hard of hearing patients. She is currently looking into getting her degree in ASL Studies and hopes to turn that into the dual career of My Smart Hands Instructor and Interpreter for the deaf.
If you are interested in learning ASL, and facilitating communication with the pre-verbal child in your life, visit the My Smart Hands Maine website at www.smarthandsofmaine.vpweb.com for more information and class schedules.
For more info e-mail: diane@mysmarthands.com or download our class inquiry form to be placed on a mailing list for upcoming classes. Remember to email the form back to Diane completed.
Find me on Facebook at “My Smart Hands of Maine”
