Project PRISM-Ed
Project PRISM-Ed (Preparation and Retention of Social Justice and Equity- Minded Educators of Deaf Students) is a federal grant designed to strengthen the pipeline between the Department of Deaf Studies and the Deaf Education program in the Department of Special Education. Project PRISM-Ed will prepare 25 teachers of deaf students with specific emphasis on leadership and advocacy, and social and linguistic justice for deaf students
On Friday, February 7, 2025, Project PRISM-Ed hosted a very successful “Deaf Education Workshop Series” event showcasing three renown researchers from Boston University’s Deaf Education Program, Dr. Naomi Caselli, Ms. Elana Pontecorvo, and Dr. Anna Lim.
Pictured from left to right: Dr. Naomi Caselli, Dr. Anna Lim, and Elana Pontecorvo
Dr. Caselli and Ms. Pontecorvo’s research presentations highlighted the importance of American Sign Language (ASL) in ensuring language acquisition and academic success for Deaf students. The presentation of their research findings clearly showed that ASL is a necessary precursor for bilingual skills development involving spoken and written English for Deaf children.
Dr. Lim’s presentation addressed the need for cultural humility in Deaf education classrooms when working with immigrant Deaf children of color. She emphasized the importance of incorporating and elevating the multilingual and multicultural knowledge and skills of immigrant Deaf children of color.
Seventeen Project PRISM-Ed scholars were introduced during the event. Six scholars are current Deaf Education credential candidates and 11 are undergraduate Deaf Studies majors who are pursuing the birth-12 Deaf Education teaching career.
Pictured from top to bottom: Project PRISM-Ed Administration Team (top row) and scholars (bottom row)
Those in attendance included numerous K-12 Deaf Education program administrators, teachers, researchers and other Deaf community members. This program solidifies CSUN’s connection with and support for Deaf Education programs in California. Project PRISM-Ed looks forward to the next collaborative event in February 2026.
– Drs. Flavia Fleischer and Rachel Friedman Narr