About the Presenter...
Edna F. Johnston
Edna F. Johnston was reared in a large Deaf
family with one hearing sister. She graduated from the Maryland School for
the Deaf. Edna has a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Western
Maryland College. She also has a double bachelor degree in American Sign
Language Studies and English: Literature from Gallaudet University. She is
presently employed at Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois in the
ASL-English Interpretation Department where she is a full time faculty
member. She has been there for nine years. Edna is currently the acting
co-chair of that department.
Edna says she is fascinated with the use of American Sign Language among
Deaf children and elderly Deaf adults. With the children, it’s the
fascination of watching American Sign Language acquisition and development.
With the older adults, it is interesting to see the sign variations due to
age differences, and the minimized use of non-manual signals.
Her philosophy is, “Change the Environment, Not Yourself!"
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