Heather Nowicki, M.A.

HRNowicki@gmail.com

Academic Credentials
Gallaudet University, Washington D.C.
Master in Sign Language Education
Degree completed: August 2017

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York

Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies
Minor / Concentration in Psychology
Degree completed: November, 2002

Relevant Professional Experience

Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
American Sign Language Instructor Jan. 2008 Present

Provided ASL instruction and cultural awareness in Interpreter Training Program and
Deaf Studies
Taught ASL I, II, III & IV using Signing Naturally Vista Level 1, 2 & 3 books, Signing
Naturally Unit 1-6 and Unit 7-12.
Taught Advanced ASL focusing on 7 expansion features of ASL discourse, ASL idioms,
non-manual marker / modifiers by identifying lexical, global and visually-motivated.
Planned and organized instruction in ways that maximize student learning
Modified instructional methods and strategies to meet diverse students needs.
Encouraged the development of communication skills and evaluate student
performance.
Implement grading system including homework, lab, quizzes, projects, mid-term and
final.

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 Heather Nowicki, M.A.

Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Illinois

American Sign Language Instructor Jan. 2015 Dec. 2015

Provided American Sign Language instruction and cultural awareness

Taught ASL I using Signing Naturally Vista Level 1 Unit 1-6 book.
Planned and organized instruction in ways that maximize student learning
Modified instructional methods and strategies to meet diverse students needs.
Encouraged the development of communication skills and evaluate student
performance.
Implement grading system including homework, quizzes, video projects, and final
exam.

Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois

American Sign Language Lab Tutor Jan. 2008 June 2011

Provided student a level-appropriate language practice.

Assist students with translating ASL to English and English to ASL.
Assist students with refining his/her signing skills.
Watch videotapes, create new activities, observe and participate in different level of
classes.
Observe ASL classes (ASL I, II, III, IV and Advanced) to better meet students needs

Harper College, Palatine, Illinois

American Sign Language Instructor Aug. Dec. 2008 & 2010

Provided American Sign Language instruction and cultural awareness in Interpreter

Training Program.
Taught ASL I & III using Signing Naturally Vista Level 1 & 2 books.
Planned and organized instruction in ways that maximize student learning
Modified instructional methods and strategies to meet diverse students needs.
Encouraged the development of communication skills and evaluate student
performance.
Provided information on deaf events and encouraged to become involved.
Implement grading system including homework, lab, quizzes, projects, mid-term and
final.

The Learning Center for the Deaf, Framingham, Massachusetts

Community American Sign Language Instructor April 2006 June 2007

Provided American Sign Language instruction and cultural awareness.

Taught beginner and intermediate level using Signing Naturally Vista Level 1 book.
Planned and organized instruction in ways that maximize student learning
Modified instructional methods and strategies to meet diverse students needs.
Encouraged the development of communication skills and evaluate student
performance.

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 Heather Nowicki, M.A.

Additional Professional Experience

Advocates Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts
Clinical Program Manager July 2006 June 2007
Case Manager May 2006 July 2006

Responsible for an overseeing a residential program for Deaf individuals with dual
diagnosis.
Creating and implementation of Individual Support Plans (ISP) and goals associated
with ISP.
Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification
Responsible for oversight and administration of medication to individuals
Responsible for all medication documentation and compliance with Red Cross
protocols.
Prepared daily, bi-monthly, monthly, and annual reports in all residential areas.
Developed ideas and action plans related to integration into the community.
Create and maintain 24-hours residential schedule for full/part-time and relief
employees.
Provided leadership, supervision, guidance, and clinical support.
Responsible for communication of all policies and procedures, and on-call
availability.
Ability to actively promote community inclusion, self-advocacy, and individual rights.
Conduct staff meetings and attend weekly administrator meetings.

Walden School, The Learning Center for the Deaf, Framingham, Massachusetts
Lead Child Care Worker Jan. 2004 Jan. 2006
Residential Child Care Worker March 2003 Jan. 2004

Served the needs for emotionally and behaviorally challenged Deaf students from
age nine to twenty-one.
Prepared daily, weekly and monthly activities.
Developed ideas and action plans related to integration into the community.
Assisted students with ADL (Activity Daily Living) and encouraged proper social skills.
Conduct weekly meeting with students related to a variety of issues.
Attend and provide input to weekly administrator meetings.

ASL Mentor
Adjunct Faculty Mentor Sept. Dec. 2016

Columbia College Chicago

Serve as a role model as adjunct faculty in American Sign Language Department.
Responsible for weekly meeting with assigned mentee
Provided supports to their teaching course.
Encourage communication with faculties in the department
Observe mentee class when possible

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 Heather Nowicki, M.A.

Deaf Mentor
2017
Columbia College Chicago; Beyond the Book Silent Weekend
Provided supports to students comprehension and signing skills
Responsible to oversee and assist in creating activities

Professional Development
Teacher Assistant: ASL III & ASL IV
ASL Evaluation: Student placement in appropriate ASL level course

Curriculum Books
Signing Naturally Level 1, Unit 1-12
Signing Naturally Level 2, Unit 13 17
Signing Naturally Level 3, Unit 18 22
Signing Naturally Unit 1 6
Signing Naturally Unit 7 12
American Sign Language: A Teachers Resource Text on Gramma and Culture

Presentations

Nowicki, H. (2015, April). OM with Classifiers: Yoga Workshop. Beyond the Book Silent
Weekend. Frankfort, Illinois

Relevant Courses

Gallaudet University
Sign Language Media Production
Curriculum Development for Sign Language Education
Sign Language Linguistics for Sign Language Professionals
Method of Sign Language Teaching
Introduction to First and Second Language Acquisition
Sign Language Planning and Advocacy
Assessing Sign Language Skills
Sign Language Teaching, Culture and History
Literary Traditions in the Deaf Community
Critical Pedagogy
Seminar in Sign Language Education e-Portfolio
Sign Language Practicum

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 Heather Nowicki, M.A.

Columbia College Chicago

Creativity and ASL
Deaf Education
ASL Literature
Language and Translation
Linguistic of American Sign Language

Community Involvement

Deaf Women of Chicago: Vagina Monologue Committee - 2017

Columbia College Chicago Volunteer: Patti Phadke Memorial Service & Funds
2016 2017
American Sign Language Teacher Association Member
Illinois Association for the Deaf Member
West Suburban Association for the Deaf Member
West Suburban Association for the Deaf Women Basketball League, 2007 2012 &
2016
West Suburban Association for the Deaf Flag Football League, 2008
New England Association for the Deaf Basketball League, 2004 2007
Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 2008 2009

Professional Development
American Sign Language Teacher Association Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah
June 28 July 1, 2017
Goreact workshops 2
Mastering the ASL Conversation-Teaching and Discussing ASL Conversation
Regulators by Christine Multra Kraft
200 Years of American Sign Language: An Odyssey by Dr. Sam Suppalla
Finding and Applying ASL Videotexts for Classroom Use by Keith Gamache Jr.
Encouraging Language Development Through Activities, Games, and Expereinces by
Casey Bond
Required Deaf Event Attendance A Burden on the Deaf Community? by Dr. Thomas
Holcomb
What the Best ASL Teachers Do_Examining Traits and Characteristics of the Best ASL
Teachers by Joseph Featherstone
ASL COURSE, ME DEVELOP ONLINE ME??? by Elizabeth Siebert and Bradley
Neubarth
Changemaker: ASL Online vs in Class by Dr. Curt Radford
The Use of L1 as a Tool to Teach L2 American Sign Language (ASL) by Dr. Jason
Listman
ASLTA Certification by Dr. Amy Rowley and Arlene Garcia Gunderson
Teaching ASL Grammar for Student Success by Keri Brooks
Teacher Shareshop Session, ASL Round Table

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 Heather Nowicki, M.A.

Illinois Association for the Deaf / Illinois Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf Conference,
Naperville, Illinois
June 22 25, 2017
Deconstructing Disabilities by Ryan Commerson
Secrets and Not So Secrets: Inside the Interpreter World June Prusak, CDI, CLIP-R
Communication Access at Hospitals and at Doctor Offices by Andres J. Gallegoes,
ESQ.
Owning Our Privilege: Building Skills to Foster an Inclusive Work Enviroments by Elke
Weinbrenner

Great Lakes ADA Center, Chicago, Illinois

Our ADA Rights by Shannon Moutinho and Robin Jones August 2016

Leadership Activity

Illinois Registry for the Deaf

Silent Auction Committee

Sigma Sigma Sigma, Epsilon Psi Chapter of International Organization, 1998

2002
Vice-President
Parliamentarian
Community Service
Panhellenic Representative

Additional Experience
Camp Mark Seven
Aspen Camp for the Def