Jessica Miller, Board Secretary
My name is Jessica Miller. I am a public school teacher who works specifically with students who are at risk and are performing below their grade level in reading and math. My husband Dan and I have three children: Nathan, Aaron, and Reagan. Aaron and Reagan were each born with a severe to profound hearing loss. They were each enrolled in Northview Public School’s Total Communication program when they were 3 months old. Our family began learning sign language to communicate with them. When they were 15 months and 14 months respectively, they received cochlear implants.
I first became involved with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services when the first Kids Kamp was held. When my husband and I first learned of Aaron’s diagnosis, we found many services for deaf and hard of hearing adults, but there were none in our area that served children, outside of the school programs. Kids Kamp was the first activity that involved supporting deaf and hard of hearing children, as well as their parents. It connected the community to the children. It was the one place where being a hearing person was different. Over time, the Kids Signs committee was formed and joining that committee began my volunteering at Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
Today, both kids are fully mainstreamed and use interpreters in their classes. I moved from volunteering on the Kids Signs committee to the Board of Directors. Being on the Board helps me know what is happening to support the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as find ways that may help my children be more included in the world we live in.
