American Sign Language Teachers Association
Awards
Celebrating Dedication: ASLTA's Enduring Commitment to Excellence
ASLTA wholeheartedly recognizes and celebrates the profound and invaluable contributions made by its members. These dedicated individuals tirelessly advance the fields of ASL education and enrich our Association itself, shaping the future of American Sign Language for generations to come. It’s our distinct honor to present these prestigious awards at each National Professional Development Conference, marking moments of shared achievement and inspiration.
These awards are more than just recognition; they are a testament to the passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment that drives our community. They shine a light on the exemplary work that elevates teaching standards, fosters linguistic excellence, and strengthens Deaf culture.
Before each conference, we will thoughtfully announce the opening of nominations for our various awards. We warmly encourage you to seize this meaningful opportunity to nominate those deserving individuals whose work truly embodies ASLTA’s values and whose impact has inspired you. Your nominations are vital in ensuring that exceptional dedication is seen, celebrated, and held up as an example for all.
Each award and its past recipients are listed below.
If you have any questions as you consider the remarkable contributions of your peers, please don’t hesitate to connect with our President at President@ASLTA.org. Let’s continue to uplift and empower one another!
George Veditz Award
This award honors George W. Veditz (1861 – 1937), NAD President remembered for his courageous leadership, advocacy, and efforts to preserve ASL by spearheading a film project that has had lasting influence.
Given to an individual in recognition of significant contributions to the field of ASL. This is the most prestigious ASLTA award presented to individuals in the field of ASL education. Recipients are not necessarily members of ASLTA.
1994 – Ella Mae Lentz, Ken Mikos, Cheri Smith
1996 – Bill Newell
1998 – Marie Jean Philip
2000 – Bill Newell
2002 – Lou Fant (posthumous)
2005 – Leslie Greer
2007 – Tim Owens
2009 – Dr. E. Lynn Jacobowitz
2011 – Larry Forestal (posthumous)
2013 – Patricia G. Beech
2015 – Dr. Keith Cagle
2017 – Dr. Regan Thibodeau
2019 – Dr. MJ Bienvenu
2021 – Lori Woods
2023– Arlon Nash
2025 – Dr. Beverly Buchanan
Stephen M. Ryan Memorial Award
This award honors Stephen M. Ryan (1958 – 1995), ASL comedian, storyteller, and teacher.
Given to a person possessing ASLTA certification, who has made major contributions to the cultural and humorous aspects of ASL instruction.
1996 – Alan Barwiolek
1998 – Dr. Ben Bahan
2000 – Dr. E. Lynn Jacobowitz
2002 – Sam and Dr. Tom Holcomb
2005 – Mel Carter
2007 – Adonia Smith
2009 – Leslie C. Greer
2011 – David Martin
2013 – Patrick Fischer
2015 – (no recipient)
2017 – April Haggard
2019 – Laura Smith
2021 – Ricky Smith
2023 – (no recipient)
2025 – Dr. Stefanie Amiruzzamann
T.J. O'Rourke Memorial Award
This award honors Terence James O’Rourke, civil rights activist, ASL teacher, publisher, and advocate in recognizing ASL as a language, and a pioneer in establishing ASL programs.
Given to an ASLTA member who has contributed significantly to the field of ASL teacher education.
1996 – Dr. MJ Bienvenu
1998 – Dr. Keith Cagle
2000 – Dr. Rachel Stone
2002 – Dr. Mike Kemp
2005 – Ella Mae Lentz
2007 – Dr. Jason E. Zinza
2009 – Ken Mikos
2011 – Glenna Ashton
2013 – Alysse Rasmussen
2015 – (no recipient)
2017 – Dr. Carla García-Fernández
2019 – Dr. Raychelle Harris
2021 – Dr. Janice Smith-Warshaw
2023 – Dr. Curt Radford
2025 – Pamela Decker-Wright
Alan "ALB" Barwiolek Distinguished Service Award
This award honors Alan Roy “ALB” Barwiolek (1952 – 1996), better known as ALB, ASL teacher, performer, and advocate dedicated to the ideals of ASLTA and to service to others. Long after his term as chair of the Evaluation and Certification program ended, he generously shared his professional expertise to support the certification of ASL teachers, truly reflecting the mission and purpose of ASLTA.
This award is given in recognition of an individual’s contributions to the Evaluation program and is selected by the current Evaluation Chair.
1996 – Isabelle Calvacca
1998 – Dr. Keith Cagle, Laura Thomas, and Chuck Gramly
2000 – Ruth Sandefur
2002 – Ken Mikos
2005 – Chuck Gramly
2007 – Dr. Rachel Stone
2009 – JaNahne McReady-Johnston, and Patricia G. Beech
2011 – Dorothy Wilkins
2013 – Sharon Lott, Ken Mikos, and Bill Newell
2015 – Dr. Amy June Rowley, Glenna Ashton, and Dr. E. Lynn Jacobowitz
2017 – Dr. Keith Cagle
2019 – Glenna Ashton, Lisa Johnston, and Sharon Lott
2021 – Christine Multra Kraft, and Ken Mikos
2023 – Leslie Greer, and Aimee Sever-Hall
2025 – Lorraine Flores and Lisa Johnston
Marie Jean Philip Memorial Award
Established in 2013, this award is in honor of Marie Jean Philip (1953 – 1997), who was an international advocate for ASL as a heritage and modern language for all people. She was a noted promoter of bilingual and bicultural education for Deaf children.
This award is given to a K-12 instructor teaching ASL as a heritage or world language and is actively involved in expanding language and literary opportunities outside of the classroom.
2013 – ASL Honor Society: Howard Gilliland, Lisa Godfrey, Rhonda Leslie, Patricia McCarthy, and Dr. Jason E. Zinza
2015 – (no recipient)
2017 – ASL That!: Joseph Wheeler
2019 – Dr. Laurene Simms
2021 – Edna Johnston
2023 – Dr. Mary Ann Seremeth
2025 – Damon Johnson
Dr. Nathie Marbury Memorial Award
Dr. Nathie Marbury was a true pioneer at heart—she was the first Black Deaf woman in her endeavors as an educator such as the following: Masters program graduate of the National Leadership Training Program for the Deaf at California State University, Northridge; instructor at the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf; and appointed Board member-at-large of the National Association of the Deaf. Dr. Marbury was a also a masterful storyteller, artistic performer, and teacher. Dr. Nathie Marbury award nominees must be members of ASLTA.
This award is given to a person of color who is an ASLTA member and works as a K-12 and/or post-secondary instructor. This individual has demonstrated exemplary work in at least one of the following areas:
2019 – Arlon Nash
2021 – Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, Dr. Joseph Hill
2023 – (no recipient)
2025 – Dr. Gabriel Love
Isabelle Calvacca Award
This special award was created by the President of ASLTA in 2005 in honor of Isabelle Calvacca and her dedication to ASLTA. It is presented to an individual who has been most helpful to the President in accomplishing the mission and goals of ASLTA.
The recipient is selected by the President.
2005 – Laura Thomas
2007 – Tom Riggs
2009 – Dr. Keith Cagle
2011 – Barbara Hayes
2013 – Cathi Bouton
2015 – (no recipient)
2017 – Christine Multra-Kraft
2019 – Amy T. Andersen and Dr. Jason E. Zinza
2021 – Lorraine Flores and Mark Apodaca
2023 – David A. Martin (posthumous)
2025 – Dr. Katie Moore and Matt Andersen
Excellent Service Award
This award is given in recognition of outstanding service to ASLTA for special accomplishments as needed.
The ASLTA Board selects recipients.
2013 – National ASL Standards Committee: Dr. Glenna Ashton, Dr. Kim Brown Kurz, Dr. Keith M. Cagle, Dr. William J. Newell, Dr. Richard Peterson, and Dr. Jason E. Zinza
2021 – ASLTA Bylaws Committee: Katie O’Brien, Tony Park, Cathi Cooper Holst, Daniel Lunt, and James Wilson
2023– Barbara Kannapell Committee: Bridget Klein, Bo Clements, Nora Owens, Douglas Tapani, Matt Andersen, Jared Mnich, and Elayne Fife-Collier
2025 – (no recipient)
Volunteers of the Year Award
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes ASLTA members who have shown exceptional dedication and made meaningful contributions to advancing the organization’s mission.
Recipients are selected by the ASLTA Board.
2025 – Allison Bloom, Sunny Brysch, and Bren Falgier
Sponsor Excellence Award
This award is given to a for-profit company or non-profit organization in recognition of its dedicated support and continuous service to ASLTA and affiliated chapters.
The ASLTA Board selects recipients of this award.
1996 – DawnSign Press
1998 – National Association of the Deaf
2000 – MSM Productions / Matthew Moore
2002 – Educational Technology Resource Room and Instructional Design – NTID Evaluation at NTID
2005 – Conference of Interpreter Trainers
2007 – Sign Media, Inc.
2009 – DawnSign Press
2011 – Sign Media, Inc.
2013 – Gallaudet University Department of ASL and Deaf Studies
2015 – Sign Media, Inc.
2017 – Sorenson Communications
2019 – DawnSign Press
2021 – TRUE+WAY ASL
2023 – TRUE+WAY ASL
2025 – (no recipient)
Chapter Excellence Award
This award is presented to an ASLTA chapter whose leaders and members have done an outstanding job in increasing membership, promoting fundraising, providing professional development activities, and promoting ASLTA.
The ASLTA Board selects the recipient upon the recommendation of the Chapters Chair.
1996 – Greater New York ASLTA
1998 – Veditz ASLTA
2000 – Michigan ASLTA
2002 – Washington ASLTA
2005 – Florida ASLTA
2007 – Maryland ASLTA (formerly Frederick Chapter)
2009 – North Carolina ASLTA
2011 – Pennsylvania ASLTA
2013 – Ohio ASLTA
2015 – (no recipient)
2017 – Colorado ASLTA
2019 – Florida ASLTA
2021 – San Diego ASLTA
Discontinued
Most Improved Chapter Award
This award is given in recognition of significant progress made to improve an ASLTA chapter, through focusing on the chapter’s mission, internal operations, organizing workshops, and a plan to ensure continued chapter growth.
The Director of Chapter Affiliation selects recipients.
2021 – South Carolina ASLTA
2023– Ohio ASLTA
Discontinued