VRID upcoming events

Mission Impossible: Providing visual access to English phonology (13 Jun 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

VDOE Educational Interpreter Grant

in conjunction with Reynolds Community College

“Mission Impossible: Providing visual access to English phonology”

Jennifer Cranston

Date: June 13, 2026

Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

0.6 RID CEUs Sponsored by VRID

Location: Reynolds Community College,

Parham Campus, 1651 East Parham Rd, Richmond VA

Burnette Hall room 208

Workshop Description:

This workshop explores research-based strategies for providing deaf and hard-of-hearing students with visual access to English, with a focus on phonological components that support literacy development. The presenter will share findings from current literature as well as a personal research study examining traditional methods used by educational interpreters and their respective strengths and limitations. Participants will be introduced to more effective, linguistically grounded strategies for representing English phonology visually. The session will also cover the theoretical foundations and key components of each approach, empowering interpreters and educators to make informed decisions that enhance language access and reading outcomes for deaf students.

Presenter Bio:

Jennifer Cranston has over two decades of experience in the field of deaf education. She holds multiple professional credentials, including RID NIC Advanced and K–12 certification, an EIPA score of 4.4, and VQAS CLT Level III. Jennifer is licensed in Virginia as a teacher with endorsements in Deaf Education (PreK–12), Elementary Education (K–6), American Sign Language, and a pending endorsement in Educational Leadership and Administration.

Her career spans a wide range of roles that offer her a multifaceted perspective on deaf education. She has served as a teacher of the deaf in both public and residential schools, an ASL interpreter and Cued Language Transliterator in educational settings, and as a supervisor for ASL Interpreters and CLTs. She has also worked as a Deaf Program Specialist and is certified as an early intervention specialist for deaf and hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers.

Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Flagler College and an M.Ed. in ESOL Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, with a focus on teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students from diverse backgrounds. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the PhD program in Interpretation and Translation at Gallaudet University.

Jennifer has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, including NAIE, VRID, PCRID, EHDI, WREIC, DHH Services of Michigan, Silent Weekend (FL), TESOL, and FLAVA. She has also delivered workshops for organizations such as The Arc, as well as at universities including George Mason University and within school districts such as Arlington Public Schools and Prince William County Schools. In addition, she has provided professional development and training at schools for the deaf.

This workshop is presented at no cost to K-12 interpreters. To register, please contact your grant representative. VRID is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.6 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Carrie Humphrey by May 29, 2026 chumphrey@reynolds.edu.

Where Do I Stand? (15 Jun 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

VDOE Educational Interpreter Grant

in conjunction with Reynolds Community College

“Where Do I Stand?”

Tracey Yurechko

Date: June 15, 2026

Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

0.6 RID CEUs Sponsored by VRID

Location: Reynolds Community College,

Parham Campus, 1651 East Parham Rd, Richmond VA

Burnette Hall room 208

Workshop Description:

In educational settings, interpreters serve as active and collaborative members of the educational team, playing a vital role in ensuring access to instruction, communication, and full participation for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This workshop will discuss the critical role of educational interpreters in ensuring communication access and equitable education for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The presentation covers interpreter qualifications, legal frameworks (IDEA, ADA, Rehab Act), the IEP process, and the importance of specially designed instruction. It also explores best practices in collaboration among educators, interpreters, and related service providers from early childhood through high school. Emphasis is placed on ethical responsibilities, student independence, and navigating complex school-based scenarios. National and Virginia-specific data highlight the growing need for qualified interpreters and the challenges of supporting students with hearing loss, especially those with additional disabilities.. The session promotes reflective practice, problem-solving, and strategies to enhance team collaboration and student outcomes.

Participants will engage in small group discussions and interactive activities that explore the roles of various professionals within the educational team, with a specific focus on how the interpreter’s responsibilities evolve to remain developmentally appropriate across different age groups and educational settings.

Presenter:

Tracey Yurechko is a Nationally Certified Sign Language Interpreter and currently serves as the Project Director for the Technical Assistance Center for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Her career began with a strong foundation in interpreting, earning a Career Studies Certificate in Educational Interpreting from Danville Community College. This credential laid the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to accessible communication and educational equity for individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In addition to her interpreting credentials, Tracey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Ball State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Special Education at VCU, focusing on supporting communication access and inclusive practices.

Originally from Northwest Indiana, Tracey discovered her passion for working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community early in life. Since moving to Virginia, she has served in various roles within the public school system, combining her expertise in interpreting, teaching, and administration. She also holds teaching and administrative licensure through the Virginia Department of Education. Tracey’s work reflects her deep commitment to fostering inclusive environments and improving systems that support communication access for children and families across the Commonwealth.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Carrie Humphrey by May 29, 2026 chumphrey@reynolds.edu.

ASL for Elementary School Classrooms (16 Jun 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

VDOE Educational Interpreter Grant

in conjunction with Reynolds Community College

“ASL for Elementary School Classrooms”

Colin Wells

Date: June 16, 2026

Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

0.6 RID CEUs Sponsored by VRID

Location: Reynolds Community College,

Parham Campus, 1651 East Parham Rd, Richmond VA

Burnette Hall room 208

Workshop Description:

This workshop will present information in American Sign Language in the four content areas of English, Math, Social Studies, and Science, matching the developmental stage of middle school students.

Participants will have the opportunity for small group discussions and activities focused on presenting middle school concepts in a manner that is developmentally appropriate for the age group.

Presenter Bio:

Colin Wells is a part of the teaching faculty at Reynolds Community College for the American Sign Language & Interpreter Education program. This is his second year in this full-time position. Prior to that, he worked as a Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing for Chesterfield County Public Schools, 5 years in the elementary setting and 7 years in the secondary setting. He also worked as an adjunct instructor for Reynolds Community College for five years during that time. A Deaf individual, who is a product from Chesterfield County Public Schools, he has an intimate knowledge of learning in the mainstream setting with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter. When not working, he is deeply involved with his two free-spirited sons who are CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults) as well.

A fun fact:

Colin, previously licensed skydiver with over logged 500 jumps, was a part of the Deaf World Record for establishing 16-way at Lake Wales, Florida in 2005. To this day, the record has not been broken. He had the privilege of meeting Deaf skydivers from all over world and engaged in various languages such as British Sign Language, Norwegian Sign Language, Japanese Sign Language, German Sign Language, and South African Sign Language.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Carrie Humphrey by May 29, 2026 chumphrey@reynolds.edu

ASL for Middle & High School Classrooms (17 Jun 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

VDOE Educational Interpreter Grant

in conjunction with Reynolds Community College

“ASL for Middle & High School Classroom”

Colin Wells

Date: June 17, 2026

Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

0.6 RID CEUs Sponsored by VRID

Location: Reynolds Community College,

Parham Campus, 1651 East Parham Rd, Richmond VA

Burnette Hall room 208

Workshop Description:

This workshop will present information in American Sign Language in the four content areas of English, Math, Social Studies, and Science, matching the developmental stage of middle & high school students.

Participants will have the opportunity for small group discussions and activities focused on presenting middle & high school concepts in a manner that is developmentally appropriate for the age group.

Presenter Bio:

A fun fact:

If you require a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Carrie Humphrey by May 29, 2026 chumphrey@reynolds.edu.