Dive In Cohort Application

Are you a Deaf Interpreter who has completed your 40-hour training and is working toward credentials and ready to make a commitment to your professional development?  If the answer is yes, here’s an opportunity to “dive in.”

One of the CATIE Center’s latest projects is Dive In:  Building Skills and Confidence in Interpreting. The project aims to support novice interpreters who identify a specific goal, such as certification (i.e., CDI, NIC, BEI),  state licensure, or passing an agency screening, and commit to working to achieve that goal.

This year, we are creating a Deaf Interpreter cohort led by Trenton Marsh and Naomi Sheneman. This program will at times collaborate with the hearing/Coda interpreters in the other part of the Dive In project and at times work together in a space just for Deaf interpreters.

There is no cost for this program and is available to novice interpreters in any part of the U.S. and can be completed through Canvas and Zoom with synchronous and asynchronous activities.

This program is designed for novice interpreters meaning someone who has graduated from an interpreting program or entered the field via an alternative path, has ASL & English proficiency, and is working toward certification or licensure. (If you do not meet these requirements, the CATIE Center will review requests for consideration on a case by case basis with input from our project officer at the Department of Education – Rehabilitation Services Administration).

To be a part of the Dive In cohort, you need to commit to the following:

• December 15 – January 30~Begin Assessments Process:  Schedule and take the ASL Assessment (ASLA) and complete an interpretation to be used for a diagnostic assessment.
• February 2 Program Orientation:  We will offer two program orientations on  February 2 between 5:00-8:00 pm CST.
• February 4 – March 10~Community building and Assessment Phase:  In addition to taking part in community building, you will also meet (via Zoom) with your  interpreting coach to review your ASLA and interpreting diagnostic assessment.  ,
• March 15 – April 15~ Online Immersion Phase:  On March 17-18 and April 14-15, 2023, we will have all-day online immersion experiences. You will have preparatory activities leading up to and between the two Friday/Saturday sessions.  Through a combination of synchronous activities on Zoom and asynchronous activities in GoReact and Canvas Learning Management System, you will have the opportunity to build your language skills and knowledge, practice interpreting, self-assess your interpreting work, and debrief with mentors.
• Mentoring: You will be part of small group and 1:1 mentoring with 12 sessions focused on language and interpreting skills. Mentoring will run from February into May and sessions will last between 60-90 minutes and take place on Thursday evening between 5-8 pm CT.
• April 16-May 26~Planning Phase: Based on your language and interpreting assessments and discussions with your coach, you will create an Individual Development Plan to work toward your goals. The CATIE Center will help you identify potential existing programs that can add to the support and experience you need.
• May 30-August 31~ Implementation Phase:  You will carry out your individual development plan with continued support from the CATIE Center.