Lana L. Cromeenes

Lana L. Cromeenes' experience and exposure to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and culture began 45 years ago with her grandmother who worked at the School for the Deaf in Morganton, N.C. Throughout college, she was a member at a local church with a deaf congregation and enjoyed working with the ministry leaders, attending Deaf Camp, leading worship, and socialization. Upon graduation with her master’s in education, her daughter was born, and it was quickly determined that she was hard of hearing. Her daughter was speech and language delayed, and due to her personal capabilities, Lana began teaching her ASL, as she was fluent in the language at this point. Accepting her daughter’s condition, she delved deeper into deaf culture, became a student of the language and culture.  As an elementary classroom teacher, Lana's bi-lingual status (English and ASL), afforded her the opportunity to provide sign support to students that wore hearing aids, cochlear implants, and/or displayed autistic characteristics. As the years progressed Lana's involvement with the deaf and hard of hearing continued to develop. Currently, Lana interprets and teaches a beginner’s ASL class at her church and voice interprets as needed. Lana interprets for community events, such as the SC governor’s annual Carol lighting event and for the sitting SC governor as well. Lana  returned to graduate school at Gallaudet University, a university established for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, in Washington, D.C., and graduated with a Master Level Certification and is currently working on a PhD in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Educating Deaf with Disabilities with an anticipated graduation of December 2019.