ASL for All: Elementary Sign Language Club Connects Students & Fosters Understanding

In its second year, the Stolley Park ASL Club brings together students who are interested and want to learn American Sign Language. Stolley Park is home to the Grand Island Public Schools elementary deaf and hard of hearing program, and the club aims to teach more students about ASL and the deaf and hard of hearing community.  
 

But what else makes this club truly special? It was started and is taught by a teacher-student duo.
 

Morgan Wheeler, teacher of the deaf, and Ella Sutherland, a Stolley Park fourth grader, took the initiative to teach other students ASL. With guidance and support from Wheeler, Ella leads the lessons.

For Ella, who is part of the deaf and hard of hearing community, the motivation is clear and heartfelt. "I love teaching, especially people that want to learn ASL," she explained. "It just makes it easier to be able to communicate with other people, especially if they talk and I can't understand."
 

The club isn't just about learning a new language; it's about building bridges. Several of the students were already familiar with some signs, sparking the idea for a more formal learning environment. 
 

Fifth grader Brielle Martinez was vaguely familiar with ASL before joining the club, as her young family member had trouble speaking and was taught some sign language to help communicate. But she wanted to further her knowledge.
 

“I chose sign club because there's some friends I know who do sign language, and I thought it would be fun learning a few things to learn how to talk to them,” Brielle said.
 

This club promotes inclusivity and understanding, allowing hearing students to connect more deeply with their deaf and hard-of-hearing classmates. 
 

“When I was little, my babysitter would come to my house…[she] noticed I would just look around a lot, so she called my mom. They took me to the doctor and they said I needed hearing aids,” Ella shared. 
 

She expanded upon how she started learning ASL, which she continues to learn every day.
 

“When I started preschool, I had an interpreter and I learned the language through them. When I started coming to Stolley Park, I started to learn more and started to use my signing skills a lot more,” Ella said. 
 

The curriculum is engaging and practical, covering everything from animals and sports to everyday conversation. Beyond vocabulary, the club also touches upon important communication etiquette. 
 

“If you just sit there and talk, especially if they’re deaf, they miss a lot of the conversation. That’s why we use interpreters as well,” Ella explained. 
 

Brielle said she really enjoys learning about ASL, and because of the club, she would now be able to help others communicate with deaf and hard of hearing friends.
 

“I love how you get to learn different things, it’s all pretty new and very interesting to learn,” Brielle shared.
 

Ella emphasized the importance of making eye contact when speaking with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing and suggested a gentle tap on the shoulder to gain their attention if they aren't looking.
 

“That's another reason why I wanted to teach everyone ASL so they know the language, and to have them be involved,” she continued, “And if they don’t know, we can help them learn.”
 

The ASL club at Stolley Park Elementary is more than just an extracurricular activity. It's a testament to the power of the desire to connect and educate, fostering a more inclusive and understanding school environment for everyone. 
 

Ella said her goal is to be a deaf and hard of hearing teacher one day, just like Morgan Wheeler and all of her GIPS teachers she looks up to. Though she’s only a fourth grader, Ella is well on her way to achieving that goal.
 

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