Established in 2006, the American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS) has made significant contributions to the field of ASL education. Our primary objective is to foster and acknowledge exceptional academic achievement in ASL studies among high school and college/university students. Similar to honor societies for other languages, ASLHS aims to enhance the learning experience for ASL learners. As an ASL Honor Society member, you can enjoy a range of benefits, including:

Recognition of academic excellence through the awarding of Honor Cords and Medals.

Opportunities for engaging in service learning projects that benefit the ASL community.

Participation in the prestigious Annual Deaf Art and ASL Literature Competitions, featuring cash prizes.

Access to exclusive national scholarships for students majoring or minoring in ASL, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education, and Interpreter Education. Additionally, college scholarships are available for Deaf students pursuing general degrees.

Financial support for ASL education through grants for teachers to procure equipment or materials for classroom use.

It is important to note that the ASL Honor Society operates as an add-on program under the American Sign Language Teacher’s Association (ASLTA), and serves as one of the valuable benefits of ASLTA membership.

To encourage and recognize high academic achievement in American Sign Language studies for middle schools, high schools, Deaf schools, and college/university students. Deaf and hearing student participants will serve as steadfast advocates of the Deaf community, encourage Deaf and hearing people come together in unity worldwide, and demonstrate commitment to scholarship, community service, and personal excellence. 

Meet Stephanie Proctor! She is now the National Coordinator for the ASLHS. She is Deaf and resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her daughter, who is KODA and loves to spark the world. Stephanie graduated from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Go Dragons! She earned a Master’s in Deaf Education and has over ten years of teaching experience in Deaf education. She teaches college-level ASL at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). She is also working on her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and hopes to elevate the awareness and needs of American Sign Language (ASL) in higher education administration and leadership.

During her free time, she spends time with her family and friends and enjoys exploring nature in Tennessee. She is a beach bum who always tries to visit her home state, Florida. Her favorite food and drinks to order are pepperoni pizza and wine so she can stay in her cozy backyard to unwind with friends and family. That is her favorite thing to do on Fridays!

Email: ASLHS@ASLTA.org

Meet Steven Whitworth! This is his first year on the ASLHS board as a Membership Coordinator, and he’s ready to hit the ground running! Steven is Deaf and a proud Texan, born and raised in the Lone Star State. He’s a dedicated educator with two bachelor’s degrees from Lamar University and a Master’s in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University. With eight years of experience under his belt, Steven is currently inspiring students in his ASL classes at Tyler Junior College.

When he’s not shaping the minds of future ASL enthusiasts, Steven loves catching up on his favorite Chicago-based dramas, indulging in some delicious Mexican cuisine, or diving into the exciting world of video games.

Email: ASLHS.membership@ASLTA.org

We are currently looking for a new competition coordinator. The primary duty of the ASL Honor Society Competitions Coordinator is to foster a vibrant ASL community by organizing two annual competitions. These events allow ASL students to creatively express their passion for the language through diverse mediums, encouraging engagement and celebrating their ASL skills.

Interested? Contact the ASLHS Director today.

Meet Dr. Leonard Granda! He has taught American Sign Language for over 20 years at various levels, from kindergarten to college. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Gallaudet University and a Master’s degree in Education of the Deaf from San Diego State University. Dr. Granda has taught at San Diego State University, The College of the Holy Cross, Bloomsburg University of PA, the Austine School for the Deaf, The Learning Center for Deaf Children, Loudoun County Public Schools (VA), and various community colleges. He completed his doctoral degree at Lamar University in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education in 2014. Dr. Granda’s dissertation, a case study on teaching a Deaf immigrant student using ASL/English Bilingual strategies, was published by DawnSignPress. He is a strong advocate for the Deaf community and for early language acquisition in Deaf children. Dr. Granda is currently a clinical assistant professor at ETSU.

Email: ASLHS.scholarship@ASLTA.org

Meet Melissa Ibanez! Melissa has been the Graduation Coordinator since 2019. She is Deaf, was born in Wisconsin, and moved to Texas at a young age. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University. Melissa currently teaches ASL 1-4 at South Texas College, where she has been a full-time faculty member since 2015. Before that, she taught Deaf Education for 10 years and ASL part-time for 5 years. In addition to her teaching role, Melissa is a Girl Scout Co-Leader and serves on the committee for the Texas ASL Educators.

Melissa’s favorite celebrities are Gong Yoo and Song Kang. She enjoys indulging in authentic Mexican and Asian cuisine. In her free time, Melissa loves crafting, reading books, and collecting various items.

Email: ASLHS.gradship@ASLTA.org

Meet Michelle Norman! Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy with a minor in ASL from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s in ASL Education K-12 Licensure from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her passion for ASL and education is evident in her current role as a teacher and ASLHS sponsor at Maryville High School. In her free time, Michelle enjoys staying active with ultimate frisbee, exploring nature through hiking, immersing herself in books, and expressing herself through Salsa and Bachata dancing. We’re excited to have Michelle’s expertise and enthusiasm on our team!

Email: ASLHS.PR@ASLTA.org