As I was growing up I had severe health issues which later led me to be selective mutism. I wouldn’t talk to anyone outside of my family so going to school was really difficult with me not communicating. My family had decided to start learning the American Sign Language basics with me up until I started to come out of my shell and was capable of talking to others.
Fast forward several years, I was ironically placed in American Sign Language as I prepared to start my sophomore year of high school. I wasn’t sure about it at first because I was an introverted sophomore who hardly knew anyone. My older sister at the time had been caregiving for a girl who had special needs and communicated using sign language so she encouraged me to take the class and said it’ll be beneficial for me to learn a new language.
As the year went on I made a friend in American Sign Language by doing partner work, and it turned out we were very similar along with being extreme introverts. In December of 2022, we became inseparable. Our teacher told us how thankful she was that we had found each other and commented on how quickly we clicked. We eventually got each other’s socials, started meeting up during passing periods, walking to class and around the school together. As we started to get to know each other and the more we got comfortable, we formed a small friend group of people she knew from middle school and we were later the loudest ones in class.
Sophomore year ended and soon came Junior year. We decided to join the American Sign Language Club because we wanted to get out of our comfort zone and put ourselves out there more. In the ASL club, we signed the National Anthem in both Junior and Senior years, we went to nursing homes for the Deaf to sign Christmas songs and got to experience the deaf community at the Texas School for the Deaf.
I went into high school with barely any self-esteem. I refused to go anywhere out of my comfort zone and didn’t have an idea for the future. Therefore, I had been in a tough spot overstressing about the future and not putting myself out there. I feel like God saw me struggle to make new friends and with life in general, so he sent the girl from ASL. There was a reason why I was mistakenly put into that class; so it would guide me to her. He sent her to me knowing we were meant to be best friends.
I’ve only known my friend for a little over two years now but in that time, I’ve seen us grow up and become young, inseparable women. I’ve seen us gain this bond and understand each other in ways other people wouldn’t be able to understand. To know my friend is to love her: a beautiful mind, a generous soul. Words cannot express how thankful and blessed I am to have her in my life; cherishing the bond we have created together each and every day.
The moral of the story is I am so grateful that I decided to join American Sign Language and not back out of it. It has taught me to get out of my comfort zone, meet more people, learn about the Deaf culture, and realize that I’m interested in becoming fluent in American Sign Language. At Texas School for the Deaf, I also had the opportunity to spend time with several members of the Deaf community.
Big shoutout to the most amazing teacher anyone could ask for, Mrs Lira-Anderson. I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t been assigned your class. I appreciate all you have done, making sure we leave class smiling and are always here for us on our bad days. The statement by APJ Abdul Kalam, “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and the future of the individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me,” caught my attention as I was wrapping up this essay.
The greatest accolade for a teacher will be students looking up to them when they have graduated high school, and that is Mrs. Lira-Anderson. In addition to imparting knowledge, a competent teacher will help the student grow as a person.
