NEW MEXICO MENTORING: Realizing the Potential of New Mexico Sign Language Interpreters

1. NEW MEXICO MENTORING: Realizing the Potential of New Mexico Sign Language Interpreters Lisa Dignan, M.Ed. Director, New Mexico Mentoring CASA 2008

2. What is New Mexico Mentoring? • Distance-based program • Designed with rural interpreters in mind • Pair trained mentors with working interpreters • Improve mentee’s professional knowledge and skills

3. NMM Goals • Enhance skills • Skills analysis and professional development plan • Trained mentors (Deaf and interpreters) • Supportive environment for recent ITP graduates • Connections for isolated interpreters • Outlet for experienced mentors • Professional development for rural interpreters • Increase the number of certified interpreters

4. History Of NMM • 2004: NMRID awarded an RID Mentoring Grant • 2004/2005: Received support from NMCDHH • Spring 2005: Pilot Program • Spring 2006: First regular session • Currently running fifth regular session • Nearly 40 mentees have participated so far

5. Structured 16-week workbook Curriculum books, videos, and DVDs One-on-one support from a trained mentor Networking with other professionals Program director to oversee process Web-based discussion forums Orientation to the program Distance technology Certificate of Completion and CEUs Benefits to Mentees

6. Benefits to Mentors • Payment of $1,000 per mentee • Professional and personal growth • Networking with mentor team • Support and foster the growth of NM interpreters • Structured 16-week curriculum • Curriculum books, videos, and DVDs • Program director to provide support • Web-based discussion forums • Training and orientation for the program • Distance technology • Earn CEUs

7. NMM Process • Recruiting • Application • Selection • Mentor Training • Orientation • Online support • Wrap-up

8. Recruiting • Email • Presentations • NMSD Outreach Coordinators • Personal Contacts • Future: • DVD • Posters

9. Mentee Requirements • Be a resident of New Mexico. • Be a working interpreter. • Be a current member of NMRID and RID. • Submit a completed application packet. • Pay a $40 non-refundable application fee. • If accepted, pay $100 curriculum and materials fee. • Attend Orientation and Wrap-up meetings in Albuquerque.

10. Mentor Requirements • Willingness to share expertise and enthusiasm for ASL and interpreting. • Interest in supporting a mentee through a structured 16-week curriculum. • Current membership in RID (with the exception of Deaf applicants). • Attend Mentor Training, Orientation, and Wrap-up meeting in Albuquerque.

11. Application • Applicant Information Form • Essay • Two Recommendation Forms • One Professional and One Personal • Résumé • Mentees: Application videotape • Sign to Voice and Voice to Sign Sample

12. Selection • Selection Committee • Sub-committee of NMM Advisory Board • Review all applications • Pair: • Mentor • Mentee • Curriculum

13. Mentor Training • All day Saturday in Albuquerque • Mentoring Philosophy • NMM Process • Detailed curriculum training

14. Orientation • All day Sunday in Albuquerque • Time to get to know Mentor • NMM Processes and Expectations • Training on curriculum with Mentor

15. Online Support • Yahoo Groups – weekly check-in • Mentors • Mentees • Support for each other • Support from NMM Director

16. Wrap-Up • Celebrate Completion! • Certificates of Completion and Paychecks • Feedback to NMM • Face-to-face culmination with Mentor/Mentee • Workshop with NMRID • CEUs • Networking with other professionals

17. Curricula – Now available • ASL to English: Self Analysis Skills Brenda Nicodemus and Bonnie-Lyn Barker • Preparation Skills for Interpreters Susan Boinis • Mental Health Interpreting Arlyn Anderson ASL to English: Self-Analysis Skills MENTOR WORKBOOK

18. Curricula – Coming Soon! • Educational Interpreting George Clark • Fingerspelling and Numbers Anita Harding and Lena Stavely • Medical Interpreting Nancy Niggley and Doug Bowen-Bailey • ASL Classifiers TBD

19. Future Plans • Increase participation • Reach more rural interpreters • Expand curricula • Legal Interpreting • Video Interpreting • Deaf-Blind Interpreting • Post-Secondary Interpreting • Goal: 20-25 different topics

20. NMM Advisory Board James MacFarlane, Chair Barb Shaffer Barbara Flett Koko Chino Aimee Rivera Faith Timm Sue Petrov Amanda Retsek Brian Burns Donna Leshne

21. Funding • New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons • New Mexico School for the Deaf • Application Fees

22. Next Sessions • Fall 2008 – August 18 to December 5, 2008 • Start recruiting – April 2008 • Applications due – July 1, 2008 • Spring 2009 – January 12 to May 1, 2009 • Start recruiting – August 2008 • Applications due – November 14, 2008 • Fall 2009 – August 17 to December 4, 2009 • Start recruiting – April 2009 • Applications due – June 29, 2009

23. Contact Information Lisa Dignan, M.Ed., CI and CT Director, New Mexico Mentoring State of New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons 2500 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 400 Albuquerque, NM 87110 Lisa.Dignan@state.nm.us 800.489.8536 - Toll Free 505.881.8824 - V/TTY 505.881.8831 - Fax 505.881.1033 – VP www.cdhh.state.nm.us