Everyone has their "why" for teaching, but how often do you remember and reflect on it? These inspiring educators have dedicated their lives to bettering the lives of deaf students. Their stories will take you back to your "why" and inspire you to make it part of your classroom every day.
Keynote Presenters
Amy Bachtel
Amy Bachtel is a first grade teacher at Indiana School for the Deaf. She is an alum of Gallaudet University and Kent State University, graduating with degrees in Family Children Studies and Deaf Education, along with certification in Early Intervention and Special Education. Amy volunteered in America Corps teaching ASL in rural New Mexico. Returning to school to receive her Masters, Amy realized from her AC experience Special Education was her passion, teaching multiple Disabilities deaf children.
Kimberly Curtis
My name is Kimberly Curtis, but please call me Kimmie. I am a mama, wife, sister, friend, bibliophile, yogi, positivity enthusiast, high school English & Reading
educator, nationally certified interpreter, Academic Bowl Co-coach, giggle-box, hugger, and caffeine connoisseur.
I am a recent graduate (well...again actually...I may very well be the eternal Colonel) of Eastern Kentucky University. I obtained a Masters of Arts in Teaching Secondary English (2018) in addition to my Bachelors of Science in American Sign Language Interpreting (2010). Currently I work alongside our young Colonels at the Kentucky School for the Deaf. I'm given the opportunity each and every day share to share our classroom with students starting their high school journeys as freshmen as well as students wrapping up their time as Colonels during their senior year.
My journey so far has been amazing, terrifying, perfect and flawed. I began my career as an educational interpreter within a mainstream setting, transitioned into a SLPL:ASL Coordinator and Staff Interpreter position at a residential school for the deaf, then worked to establish a classroom space that is safe, shared, and equitable to all students who cross our threshold. The opportunity to do more and to give back drew me to the classroom. That, and the encouragement from so many rad folks along the way.
This is my second year in the classroom as a teacher. Our world needs more light, so why not share it? My goals each and every day are to try to lift others up in everything I do, to empower those around me to find ways to care for themselves, and to give the gift of language to any and all souls I interact with. We cannot pour from an empty cup. I am given the opportunity to explore, play with, and utilize ASL and English each and every day--what's not to love?
educator, nationally certified interpreter, Academic Bowl Co-coach, giggle-box, hugger, and caffeine connoisseur.
I am a recent graduate (well...again actually...I may very well be the eternal Colonel) of Eastern Kentucky University. I obtained a Masters of Arts in Teaching Secondary English (2018) in addition to my Bachelors of Science in American Sign Language Interpreting (2010). Currently I work alongside our young Colonels at the Kentucky School for the Deaf. I'm given the opportunity each and every day share to share our classroom with students starting their high school journeys as freshmen as well as students wrapping up their time as Colonels during their senior year.
My journey so far has been amazing, terrifying, perfect and flawed. I began my career as an educational interpreter within a mainstream setting, transitioned into a SLPL:ASL Coordinator and Staff Interpreter position at a residential school for the deaf, then worked to establish a classroom space that is safe, shared, and equitable to all students who cross our threshold. The opportunity to do more and to give back drew me to the classroom. That, and the encouragement from so many rad folks along the way.
This is my second year in the classroom as a teacher. Our world needs more light, so why not share it? My goals each and every day are to try to lift others up in everything I do, to empower those around me to find ways to care for themselves, and to give the gift of language to any and all souls I interact with. We cannot pour from an empty cup. I am given the opportunity to explore, play with, and utilize ASL and English each and every day--what's not to love?
Dr. David Geeslin
Dr. Geeslin graduated from the Indiana School for the Deaf in 1983. He attended Gallaudet University for two years then transferred to Purdue University where he received his B.A. in Linguistics in 1989. He received his M.A in Deaf Education from Boston University in 1991. After working in education for 7 years, Dr. Geeslin returned to night school at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to earn his principal's license. Having then rediscovered the power of education, he decided to pursue a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Indiana University while still working full time. He completed his Ed.D. Degree in August of 2006. Dr. Geeslin was the first Deaf person to receive a doctoral degree from an Indiana college or university. He was selected as a 2008 Distinguished Alumnus from Purdue University.
Dr. Geeslin has been active in many policy committees, has served as an expert legal witness, and has been an active participant and volunteer in a number of professional and non-profit community organizations. Some of these organizations including the Board of Interpreter Standards, Continuum of Mental Health Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adolescents/Indiana Department of Health, D.E.A.F. Network, Indianapolis Public School Cultural Audit Task Force, Educational Interpreters Committee/Indiana Department of Education, Educational Needs Advisory Group/Indiana Department of Education, Indiana School for the Deaf and Indiana Blind School Governance Task Force/Indiana Department of Education, State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities, Indiana Association of the Deaf, and a founding board member of Indiana Deaf Heritage. In 1994, David worked with other Deaf Community leaders in writing and successful passage of a statute recognizing American Sign Language in the State of Indiana. In 2008, David worked with other disabled groups on rewriting the IDEA for Indiana.
Dr. Geeslin has held a variety of positions including Teacher of the Deaf in Norwell, Massachusetts, American Sign Language Assessment Consultant for the Boston Children's Deaf Network at Children's Hospital Boston, Field Reviewer for University of Illinois CLAS project, and visiting lecturer for Indiana University, Vincennes University, Western Maryland College, Boston University and Purdue University, as well as filling different roles at the Indiana School for the Deaf over the past seventeenth years, including Third Grade Teacher, American Sign Language Assessment Specialist, Interim Director of Outreach, Elementary Principal, and Outreach Educational Consultant and CEO/Superintendent.
In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Dr. Geeslin has been married for 30 years and stays actively involved with his two daughters and his extended family.
Dr. Geeslin has been active in many policy committees, has served as an expert legal witness, and has been an active participant and volunteer in a number of professional and non-profit community organizations. Some of these organizations including the Board of Interpreter Standards, Continuum of Mental Health Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adolescents/Indiana Department of Health, D.E.A.F. Network, Indianapolis Public School Cultural Audit Task Force, Educational Interpreters Committee/Indiana Department of Education, Educational Needs Advisory Group/Indiana Department of Education, Indiana School for the Deaf and Indiana Blind School Governance Task Force/Indiana Department of Education, State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities, Indiana Association of the Deaf, and a founding board member of Indiana Deaf Heritage. In 1994, David worked with other Deaf Community leaders in writing and successful passage of a statute recognizing American Sign Language in the State of Indiana. In 2008, David worked with other disabled groups on rewriting the IDEA for Indiana.
Dr. Geeslin has held a variety of positions including Teacher of the Deaf in Norwell, Massachusetts, American Sign Language Assessment Consultant for the Boston Children's Deaf Network at Children's Hospital Boston, Field Reviewer for University of Illinois CLAS project, and visiting lecturer for Indiana University, Vincennes University, Western Maryland College, Boston University and Purdue University, as well as filling different roles at the Indiana School for the Deaf over the past seventeenth years, including Third Grade Teacher, American Sign Language Assessment Specialist, Interim Director of Outreach, Elementary Principal, and Outreach Educational Consultant and CEO/Superintendent.
In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Dr. Geeslin has been married for 30 years and stays actively involved with his two daughters and his extended family.
Paula Wagner
Paula Wagner is the Deaf-Blind Services Coordinator at Tennessee School for the Deaf, where she is working to support and improve programming and practices for Deaf-Blind students both on campus and across the state. Paula also provides direct vision services and support to campus students working with both the instructional and outreach department. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies with an emphasis on parent education and a Master’s of Science in Special Education from the University of Tennessee. She has a Masters of Education in Special Education and Vision Impairments from Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville Tennessee and is working to finish her Eds in Instructional Leadership.
Paula is passionate about family engagement and believes one of the biggest resources students have is their family. She has spent her life learning, living and working to understand the needs of families, students and professionals working in and with students who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and deaf plus. Her special education experiences include the roles of parent, educational assistant, educational interpreter, parent outreach coordinator and teacher. Outside of work, Paula enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband have four children and four grandchildren. She enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, weather permitting. Tennessee is home now, but as a native Floridian, the beach is always her go to place.
Paula is passionate about family engagement and believes one of the biggest resources students have is their family. She has spent her life learning, living and working to understand the needs of families, students and professionals working in and with students who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and deaf plus. Her special education experiences include the roles of parent, educational assistant, educational interpreter, parent outreach coordinator and teacher. Outside of work, Paula enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband have four children and four grandchildren. She enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, weather permitting. Tennessee is home now, but as a native Floridian, the beach is always her go to place.
