Washington, D.C. has over 20,000 residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and is home to one of the largest Deaf communities in the country. A serendipitous cold call opened the door for WSG students to gain a useful and inclusive skill: American Sign Language (ASL) with Ms. Tammy Whitaker. Ms. Whitaker’s journey into the world of ASL began at the age of 13, when she was captivated by her pastor seamlessly integrating sign language into his sermon. Ms. Whitaker found her true calling in ASL in 1998 after witnessing a nurse’s struggle to communicate with a hard-of-hearing patient. 

Since then, Ms. Whitaker’s venture into teaching ASL began with adult learners which laid the foundation for the establishment of her business in 2000. Specializing in teaching children, Ms. Whitaker notes that her journey in teaching ASL was not without challenges, sharing that, “There were angels along the way to push me (when I was) in discomforting areas.”

Students in 3rd-5th grade have ASL class with Ms. Whitaker during the school day at least once a week, where they have learned finger spelling, greetings, and increasingly complex phrases throughout the year. They have also learned prayers and songs that have become part of our Christmas Show and Morning Prayer. Middle school students have the option to join the ASL club to continue their learning. Through this program, our girls are learning a valuable skill for communication that also fosters empathy and inclusivity while gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse needs and experiences of others.