Student Day Presenters
Marci Purtell
Lara Wagner
Workshop Title: “ITP & Beyond! Roadmap For Student to Interpreter Success!”
Workshop Summary: “As an instructor within a local Interpreter Training Program, it is not uncommon for Lara to encounter graduates who face difficulties upon entering the workforce. Waiting until May of their graduating year to initiate the formal certification process can prove detrimental for such individuals. This workshop aims to help graduates overcome difficulties in entering the workforce by providing an individualistic and comprehensive plan for a path towards certification. It focuses on creating a roadmap towards certification, including signing up for the Test of English Proficiency (TEP) or RIDs knowledge exam, addressing the post-graduation “gap,” and determining the optimal certification path forward, whether it be the BEI or RID.. Participants will leave the workshop with the necessary paperwork to apply for certification tests and a tangible plan. Additionally, Ashley will seek to impart best practices based on her experience as a certified interpreter who regularly works with students on-site, with scheduling and through mentoring. She will provide best practices for practicum experiences including communication with agencies, time management, conduct on assignments, notetaking, and post-assignment debriefing. The goal is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to feel confident and prepared when working with certified/mentor interpreters and have successful networking encounters every time!”
Ashley Sikes
“Ashley has been a certified sign language interpreter since the Fall of 2017. Over the last five years, Ashley has primarily done work for agencies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Her main areas of work include, medical, educational (k-12 and higher ed), mental health, business settings, conferences, and tactile/Deaf-Blind interpreting. Ashley also works as the Practicum/Intern Coordinator for Hired Hands Inc. in Hurst, TX. Ashley began her career after graduating from the Interpreter Training Program at Tarrant County College and becoming BEI Basic certified the same year. After graduating from TCC, she continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of Texas at Arlington. In 2021 she took and passed the BEI Advanced certification exam. Working with students is one of Ashley’s passions, so naturally she has sought opportunities to enrich the next generation of interpreters. Ashley has participated in direct mentorship through the Tarrant County College ITP as well The Texas Sensory Support Network Interpreter Mentorship Program through Educational Service Center Region 11. Ashley also works with student interns and practicum students through Hired Hands Inc. She coordinates the on-boarding of students and manages their schedules with the agency throughout the semester. Ashley acts as a point of contact for the students and certified interpreters who will be working together, as well as mentoring and working with students directly. In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading books and thrift shopping, tending to her large plant collection, and playing with her two mini–Australian Sheppard puppies, Mila and Maverick.”
Workshop Title: “ITP & Beyond! Roadmap For Student to Interpreter Success!”
Workshop Summary: “As an instructor within a local Interpreter Training Program, it is not uncommon for Lara to encounter graduates who face difficulties upon entering the workforce. Waiting until May of their graduating year to initiate the formal certification process can prove detrimental for such individuals. This workshop aims to help graduates overcome difficulties in entering the workforce by providing an individualistic and comprehensive plan for a path towards certification. It focuses on creating a roadmap towards certification, including signing up for the Test of English Proficiency (TEP) or RIDs knowledge exam, addressing the post-graduation “gap,” and determining the optimal certification path forward, whether it be the BEI or RID.. Participants will leave the workshop with the necessary paperwork to apply for certification tests and a tangible plan. Additionally, Ashley will seek to impart best practices based on her experience as a certified interpreter who regularly works with students on-site, with scheduling and through mentoring. She will provide best practices for practicum experiences including communication with agencies, time management, conduct on assignments, notetaking, and post-assignment debriefing. The goal is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to feel confident and prepared when working with certified/mentor interpreters and have successful networking encounters every time!”
Kim Hunt
“Kim Hunt is a Native Texan and her new current position is program coordinator and professor for Tyler Junior College’s ASL and Interpreter Training Program.. Her experience includes teaching and presenting on the local, state, national and international arena. She is Multi Certified under the Texas Board of Evaluators of Interpreters (BEI) and the National Registry of Interpreters (RID) holding a RID Master, BEI Court, Medical and Level IV as well as a CCHI Medical Core. Kim has been interpreting professionally for 39 plus years in various settings which includes, Legal, Medical, Mental Health, Video Relay Interpreting, Video Remote Interpreting, Deaf Blind, Education, Platform and Social Services. Two of her main goals are advocating for complete communication access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and assisting in training the next generation of interpreters.”
Workshop Title: “Mirror Mirror – Reflections of Ethics and Professionalism”
Workshop Summary: “Being ethical in today’s media world of interpreting is challenging. Are you a veteran interpreter or just starting out in the interpreting profession? Have you wondered if you are making the “right” ethical choices? Ethics & professionalism are a priority that does not only include interpreters but the population and entities we represent. It is more than a set of rules or policies governed by multiple systems and professional organizations. Ramifications of our actions include media, legal liability, social expectations, attire, confidentiality, private as well as the public arena to start. Participants will view and collaborate on brief “real- world” visual scenarios. Whether you are a novice or veteran Interpreter, walk out knowing what the professional ethical reflection in your mirror should be.”
Marsha Moore
“Since becoming an interpreter in 1994, Marsha has interpreted in a wide variety of challenging settings. She approaches new challenges with a sense of humor and enthusiasm as she implores those around her to continue to learn, grow and dream. Marsha’s goal is to provide practical strategies that fellow interpreters can immediately put into practice. She considers it a privilege to help colleagues gain confidence and enrich their existing skill sets by integrating their past successes with new information. Marsha’s newest endeavor is joining the academic teaching team at Tyler Junior College as an Adjunct Instructor for the Interpreter Training Program. She has worked in the interpreting field for nearly 30 years, mainly in the DFW area, in various settings including Legal, Medical, Mental Health, Video Relay Interpreting, Video Remote Interpreting, K-12, Secondary Education, Platform and Social Services. She has an associate’s degree in interpreting from Tarrant County Junior College, is working toward a Bachelor’s of Interpreting at William Woods University and holds a BEI Level III certification.”
Workshop Title: “Mirror Mirror – Reflections of Ethics and Professionalism”
Workshop Summary: “Being ethical in today’s media world of interpreting is challenging. Are you a veteran interpreter or just starting out in the interpreting profession? Have you wondered if you are making the “right” ethical choices? Ethics & professionalism are a priority that does not only include interpreters but the population and entities we represent. It is more than a set of rules or policies governed by multiple systems and professional organizations. Ramifications of our actions include media, legal liability, social expectations, attire, confidentiality, private as well as the public arena to start. Participants will view and collaborate on brief “real- world” visual scenarios. Whether you are a novice or veteran Interpreter, walk out knowing what the professional ethical reflection in your mirror should be.”
Wendi Yoder
“Wendi Yoder, BEI Certified, is a Regional Trainer for Sorenson. Wendi currently lives in Burleson, TX and has been a certified Sign Language Interpreter for 10 years, graduating from the Interpreter Training Program at Tarrant County College in 2013. Wendi has worked as an interpreter in many different scenarios however, her primary focus has been on VRS. She has collectively worked for Sorenson for 7 years. Wendi began as a VI in DFW (2013), in 2019 she transferred to Lubbock, TX as their center Director, she joined the Interpreter Education & Professional Development team as a Regional Trainer in February 2022. When not working she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading all the books from BookTok, searching for the best tabletop games and hitting all the new breweries in town.“
Workshop Title: “VRS: A Brief History and the Tools You Need to be a Successful Part of the Future “
Workshop Summary: “What do VRS calls look like? Why is VRS so challenging? What tools are available to become a successful VRS Interpreter? You will want to be in attendance in this session where Wendi will answer these questions and more, including a brief history of Video Relay and Sorenson.