Sarah has been working as an interpreter for over 15 years. She attended Winona State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Sarah is a Coda and had no plans of becoming an interpreter but felt a pull at the end of her time at WSU to follow that path. She went to Saint Paul College for and received her Associate of Applied Science in ASL Interpreting/Transliterating in 2007. ITP was extremely challenging for Sarah as she had to unlearn and relearn everything about ASL that she had known growing up, as well as learn the interpreting process. Sarah received her NIC-Advanced certification in 2008 after going through an intense mentoring program as well as receiving mentoring at Sorenson VRS.

Sarah began her career in post-secondary education and VRS. In 2010, she began working in K-12, in the district’s transition program (ages 18-21), and discovered a passion for educational interpreting. She went on to spend time working in transition, elementary and secondary settings. This brought new awareness of the gaps that DHH students often have and the importance of beginning exposure to ASL early on in life. She spent the bulk of her time in K-12 at the secondary level, where her approach to interpreting changed after working with many refugee and immigrant students who have experienced severe levels of language deprivation.

Through this varied work, she has had the opportunity to host several interpreting interns and believes that every interpreter can grow, improve and learn something new. Mentees will spend their time setting goals, analyzing ethical scenarios, going over feedback from recorded work and having open conversations about any potential barriers to reaching their goals. Sarah believes that not every session has to be intense hands up work, that there is value in conversation and talking about mental and emotional blocks and personal struggles.

When Sarah is not interpreting, she is also a part time Zumba instructor. She most enjoys spending time with her husband, young son and corgi. If she ever has time for herself, she loves reading, walking and watching anything on Bravo or Hallmark.