Empowering ASL Educators
Our Mission
The ASL Teacher Collective was brought to life to ensure that teachers of American Sign Language have access to quality, applicable professional development options. Our goal is to give educators the skills, training and mindset they need to rejuvenate their classrooms and provide their students at all education levels with a dynamic learning environment.
Events
Mindful Classroom Moments
We’re excited to bring ASL educators together again for a full day of meaningful, practical learning at our Winter Workshop: Mindful Classroom Moments, featuring four powerful sessions designed to strengthen immersion, boost emotional connection, and support teacher well-being:
Immersion that Inspires
High-impact strategies for building a fully immersive ASL environment that increases engagement and reduces off-task behavior.
Emotional Engagement in ASL
Discover how SEL and ASL work together to deepen student relationships and enrich emotional expression through sign.
Healing Through Habits
Learn simple, sustainable habit shifts to protect your energy, prevent burnout, and support long-term teacher wellness.
Interactive Activities
A jigsaw-style collaboration where educators exchange target-language strategies, SEL practices, and time-saving systems.
January 10th, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
MAS Building, Plano, TX
$35 | 6 Hours CPE Credit | Lunch on Your Own
Workshop - January 10th, 2026
New Professional Development Options AVAILABLE
We are proud to announce our Winter 2026 workshop, "MIndful Classroom Moments"!
Immersion that Inspires
This session explores practical strategies for building an engaging, fully immersive ASL environment without relying on auditory cues. Participants will learn how to establish strong visual norms, implement high-energy instructional routines that limit side conversations, and use nonverbal classroom management techniques that promote accountability and attention. The workshop also highlights sustainable practices that support teacher well-being, including student-led structures, reusable visual tools, and low-prep differentiation. Attendees will leave with a clear 5-point plan for increasing engagement, reducing off-task behavior, and strengthening immersion in the ASL classroom.
Emotional Engagement in ASL
This session explores the powerful intersection of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and American Sign Language to strengthen student–teacher relationships and enhance campus-wide understanding of ASL instruction. Participants will learn strategies for embedding emotional engagement into ASL lessons, creating more responsive and connected classroom environments. In addition, this session provides ways to advocate with administrators with valuable insight into the linguistic and cultural components of ASL, offering teachable moments that build empathy and support for ASL educators. Attendees will leave with practical tools for fostering meaningful connections through intentional, SEL-driven ASL instruction.
Healing Through Habits
This session focuses on teacher well-being through sustainable, approachable self-care practices. Participants will examine how small, intentional changes to daily or weekly routines can significantly improve their emotional resilience, energy, and job satisfaction. Through guided reflection and practical examples, attendees will identify habits that nurture their personal and professional needs while reducing burnout. The session emphasizes proactive, manageable strategies that empower educators to care for themselves consistently—ultimately strengthening their capacity to care for others.
Interactive Activities
This collaborative jigsaw session brings educators together to share, explore, and refine effective practices that support strong teaching and healthy professional relationships. Participants will rotate through focused discussions on teaching ASL in the target language, using SEL to enhance interactions with colleagues, and adopting time-saving systems that protect mental health. By learning from peers and contributing their own expertise, attendees will gain a diverse set of actionable strategies they can implement immediately. This session prioritizes practical exchange, professional connection, and sustainable teaching solutions.
Registration is Now Open: Click on the Flyer or button below to Register!
Who We Are
Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in the classroom and a Master's Degree in Teaching American Sign Language from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently teaches in the Sign Language Interpreting Program at Tarrant County College.
Bethany Davis
Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer Bennett
Bethany is dedicated to supporting fellow educators in navigating the challenges of our profession and committed to ongoing collaboration with ASL instructors and the Deaf community to promote best practices in ASL instruction and retention.
Pamela Farley
Pamela Farley
Pamela Farley
Pamela has taught in the private school sector since 2017 and given national level presentations since 2015. She is passionate about supporting ASL instructors through content creation to enhance the ASL experience. At home, Pamela's primary communication mode is ASL.
Rebekah Witt
Pamela Farley
Pamela Farley
Rebekah is an experienced ASL educator with seven years of teaching and curriculum leadership in high school settings. She is passionate about fostering dynamic, student-centered learning through innovative instruction, professional development, and standards-based practices.
How It All Started
Our Story
One day while touring the missions of San Antonio, we realized we had a mission! To bring quality professional development and support to ASL teachers to wherever the road will take us. We realized each one of us had skills and experience to offer, and when our powers combined, created extensive possibilities to share with the ASL teacher community. A couple of meetings, research, and brainstorming later, a collective was born.