Gallaudet: Department of Education

10/02/2026

Alumni spotlight!

We love seeing our alumni out in the world doing incredible things!

Dr. Victorica Monroe (“Dr. V”) shared their lived experience through a campus lecture, “From A (Audism) to Z (Zenith): My Personal Experience as a DeafBlind Individual,” as part of NC State’s growing efforts to build Deaf* community, access, and belonging on campus.

We are so proud to see one of our alumni bringing Deaf education, DeafBlind perspectives, and representation into new spaces. Way to go, Dr. V!

Read more about Dr. V and NC State’s expanding Deaf* community here:

accessibility More Than Accommodations: Finding Belonging Through NC State’s Expanding Deaf* Community October 2, 2026 Rachel E. Douglass photo by Nihara Sureshkumar, NC State University Libraries On Sept. 14, NC State experienced a very important first for the Deaf* community on our campus. Dr......

10/01/2026

Are you a K-5 Deaf and Hard of Hearing educator? We are seeking teachers to participate in a research study exploring teacher preparedness and experiences implementing literacy curriculum for Deaf Students with Additional Disabilities (DSWAD).

Your insights will help inform professional learning, supports, and resources to improve literacy outcomes for DSWAD!

Study Details:

One 60-minute virtual or in-person interview (audio/video recorded)

Scheduled at a time convenient for you

$30 gift card upon completion

Who Can Participate?

K-5 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers employed in a U.S. school setting

At least 5 years of teaching experience

ASL / English fluency

Experience implementing literacy instruction with DSWAD (individual students, small groups, or full classes)

How to join: Scan the QR code in the flyer or email Principal Investigator Barbara Farrell at [email protected].

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Gallaudet University Institutional Review Board (IRB -109).

[Image Description] An informational research study flyer seeking K-5 educators for a Deaf literacy study. The top portion includes a QR code labeled “SCAN ME” on the left and the main title on the right: “Seeking K-5 Educators for a Research Study on Deaf Literacy! Teacher Preparedness for Implementing Literacy Curriculum for Deaf Students with Additional Disabilities (DSWAD).” Below, the flyer is organized into four main text boxes detailing the study’s purpose, participation requirements, inclusion criteria for participants, and contact information for Principal Investigator Barbara Farrell ([email protected]). The bottom of the flyer states that the study is approved by the Gallaudet University IRB, listing IRB Number FY26-109.

09/30/2026

Just because you graduate from our program doesn’t mean we stop keeping tabs on you!

We love seeing what our alumni go on to accomplish, and this one deserves a BIG shoutout!

Congratulations to our alumna, Dr. Bernice Adebimpe Adekeye, on publishing her solo-authored article in the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education: “Producing science-focused ASL videos: processes, multimodal features, and implications for Deaf education.”

There’s something extra special about seeing our graduates continue contributing to the field, creating new knowledge, and advancing Deaf education. Congratulations, Dr. Adekeye! We’re so proud to see your work out in the world!

09/30/2026

🌱 Save the date! The 2027 Early Childhood Education Summit, “Roots in Research, Growing Through Practice,” will take place April 15–17, 2027, at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.

Join us to connect research with practice in early childhood education. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/262628407959168

Please share with colleagues and friends!

09/03/2026

Resource Share!

Looking for resources to bring more DeafBlind perspectives and experiences into your courses?

The TouchPoint blog has a collection of academic articles addressing a variety of topics and issues impacting the DeafBlind community. These could be great additions to course readings, class discussions, student research projects, or just your own professional learning!

Check out the academic article collection here:
https://touchpoint.blog/academic-articles-2/

The broader TouchPoint blog also has plenty of additional content worth exploring and sharing.

A great resource for faculty, students, educators, and anyone looking to learn more about the DeafBlind community!

09/01/2026

AI, Deaf-Centric Pedagogy, and the Future of Deaf Education

We’re excited to share that our own Dr. Laurene Simms will be leading an upcoming Department of Education webinar titled “Artificial Intelligence and Deaf-Centric Pedagogy: Promise, Risk, and Possibility”.

As AI continues to rapidly reshape education, what does that mean for Deaf learners, ASL, bilingual development, and Deaf-centric pedagogy? Dr. Simms will explore both the possibilities and the concerns, including where AI may support our work, where it may undermine it, and what questions we should be asking as educators and researchers.

📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET

This is such an important and timely conversation. We hope you’ll join us!

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register or go to https://gallaudet.zoom.us/meeting/register/8Gfvx5ltSQqOS81CZYLbIA

08/31/2026

🦬💙 WELCOME BACK, BISONS! 💛📚

The Department of Education is SO excited to have you back! Classes launch TODAY, which means it’s officially time to open Blackboard, check those syllabi, figure out where you’re supposed to be, and most importantly… SHOW UP!🙌

And because we can’t resist a terrible back-to-school joke…

What did the buffalo say when he dropped his son off at college?

BI-SON! 🦬👋

Okay, okay… we’ll stick to teaching.

Here’s to a new semester of learning, growing, connecting, and maybe even having a little fun along the way. Let’s do this, Bisons! 💙💛



Image description: A vertical welcome-back graphic in navy blue, gold, and cream. Large text at the top reads “Welcome back, Bisons!” followed by “The Department of Education is SO excited to have you back!” A navy banner announces “Classes launch TODAY!” Four icons remind students to open Blackboard, check their courses, keep up with their schedule, and, most importantly, show up.

08/24/2026

Last week, our Department of Education faculty were all together on campus for Faculty Development Week! 💙

We spent the week learning new things, collaborating, sharing ideas, and getting ready for another great semester. Now we’re refreshed, reconnected, and ready to welcome our students back next week!

Current students: Do you know which one of us is your advisor??



Image descriptions:

Photo 1: Nine Department of Education faculty members stand together smiling for a group photo on campus. From left to right: Dr. Julie Mitchiner, Dr. Oscar Ocuto, Dr. Bobbie Jo Kite, Dr. Christi Batamula, Dr. Ashley Greene, Dr. Adele Ann Eberwein, Dr. Helen Thumann, Dr. Laurene Simms, and Dr. Onudeah Nicolarakis.

Photo 2: Department of Education faculty sit together around a round table during Faculty Development Week. Several faculty members are working on laptops while participating in a collaborative session. Other faculty groups are visible throughout the large campus meeting space, with presentation slides projected at the front of the room.

Photo 3: A wider view of the Faculty Development Week session shows Department of Education faculty gathered around a table with laptops open, working and discussing together. Numerous other faculty groups are seated at tables throughout the large campus space, highlighting a busy day of collaboration and professional development.

08/19/2026

Welcome to the team, Dr. Adele Ann Eberwein!

We are excited to officially welcome Dr. Adele Ann Eberwein to Gallaudet University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education!

A Gallaudet alumna, Dr. Eberwein brings more than 25 years of experience spanning K–12 education, school leadership, and teacher preparation. Her research focuses on pedagogy and viewing comprehension among deaf students, with an emphasis on inclusive approaches that recognize students’ diverse linguistic and cultural identities.

We’re thrilled to have Adele Ann joining our Education team and bringing her wealth of experience, passion for Deaf education, and commitment to students into this new role. Welcome (back) home, Adele Ann! 💙🦬

Read more about Adele Ann and her journey back to Gallaudet: https://gallaudet.edu/academic-affairs/education-and-it-programs-welcome-new-faculty-members/

08/18/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Onudeah Nicolarakis and Dr. Oscar Ocuto on earning tenure!

We are thrilled to celebrate two incredible faculty members in Gallaudet University’s Education program who are now among Gallaudet’s tenured faculty.

Dr. Nicolarakis’ work centers on language, literacy, and equity, with a focus on bilingual and multilingual learning environments and translating research into meaningful educational practice. Dr. Ocuto’s research explores the home language environments of deaf children, while his teaching and mentorship emphasize helping students connect research and coursework to real-world experiences. Together, they are committed to preparing the next generation of educators and researchers to make a difference in the lives of deaf children, families, and communities.

We are incredibly proud to have Dr. Nicolarakis and Dr. Ocuto as part of our Education faculty. Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved milestone!

Read more about Gallaudet’s newly tenured faculty:
https://gallaudet.edu/academic-affairs/driven-to-help-students-thrive-gallaudets-newly-tenured-faculty/