American Sign Language

About the teacher

My name is Emily Cortese, and I began learning ASL at JTHS when I was fifteen years old. As soon as I entered the classroom, I immediately felt drawn to ASL. I knew this language and culture was something I needed to incorporate in my life, and after graduating from JTHS, I set out to do so.

After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf with a degree in ASL-English Interpreting, I found my true passion in teaching. Through direct guidance from Deaf professors and professional interpreters alike, I was gifted insight into a world not many people aside from the Deaf/Hard of Hearing get to experience.

My goal in every one of my classes is to create an environment that allows learning of all types to thrive, with the help of native signers. I feel it is my responsibility to teach students how this community and language evolves outside of classroom walls; my philosophy maintains that every student should feel safe enough in our classroom to make mistakes, share their opinions, and grow not only as students, but as individuals.

With the help of your students, I intend to foster a community at JTHS that promotes diversity, inclusion, and proponents of progress toward the best environment for future generations.