Teacher at School for Deaf Supports Fernandes
Editor: Some of the folks who are opposing the nomination of Jane
Fernandes as the next president of Gallaudet University claim that she wants
to close all Deaf schools. Here with a rebuttal to that argument is Steve
Laracuente.
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Aloha!
The rumor that Dr. Jane Kelleher-Fernandes, or "JK", as we know her in
Hawaii, wants to close all Deaf schools is preposterous and false! The
reason I say that is JK kept the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and the Blind (HCDB)
open at a time when the Hawaii Department of Education (HI DOE) was planning
to close it down. I moved to Hawaii in 1988 from New York City and applied
for a job at HCDB, the only Deaf school in the state. The principal was a
hearing man who did not sign, Mr. Frank Kho. He informed me that there were
no openings because there were only 12 students left and they were planning
to close HCDB soon.
I was upset, but there was nothing I could do as a newcomer. I had to
take a teaching job on another island (the Big Island of Hawaii) as a
mainstream teacher. In 1989, JK got a job with the HI DOE. Somehow, she
managed to keep HCDB open and became the first female Deaf Administrator of
a school for the Deaf ever, not only in Hawaii, but also in the USA. Later,
she hired me as a teacher for her school in 1994. I was the only Deaf
teacher at the time, until more Deaf teachers were hired later.
Many local folks in Hawaii do not understand what the Gally Protest is
about. JK demonstrated her leadership abilities time and time again. She
came to HCDB this year to give the keynote speech for HCDB's graduating
class of seven seniors on June 7, 2006. Two of the seniors were students at
HCDB since preschool, which was started by JK. HCDB has 88 students now.
Services have dramatically improved for the Deaf students, not only on
campus, but statewide. The Superintendent of the HI DOE has recognized
HCDB's achievements by attending HCDB's graduation ceremonies for three
years straight. None of HCDB's successes would not be possible if not for JK
being in the right place at the right time!
It seems the Gally Protesters need to get their facts straight! The
information about what happened in Hawaii is very important to understanding
who the real JK is. When JK was in Hawaii recently, she demonstrated to us
that she is the still the same JK we all know and love. We congratulate JK
on her appointment as Gallaudet's new President!
