Adrian Walker (AW)

At the age of 12, I began learning American Sign Language from YouTube videos, flashcards, and countless hours looking things up on LifePrint. I was living in an area that did not have any classes available, and this was a decade before Zoom classes became the norm. After a few years of learning on and off in phases, I reached a point where I could hold a conversation (if the other person was incredibly patient) and knew this was a language I would be using in some capacity for the rest of my life. Eventually, I was able to take an entry-level class while working on my psychology degree and attended a few nearby Deaf events. After gaining more skills and confidence, I moved to Frederick, Maryland, and worked as a substitute teacher’s aide at the Maryland School for the Deaf. Sadly, my time there was cut short by COVID-19, and after a career change, I moved again to the North Shore area of Massachusetts. Thankfully I was able to take a few classes through Beverly School for the Deaf, and they helped me realize I wanted an understanding of American Sign Language that goes deeper than most classes and conversations will offer.

That is what led me to begin the interpreting program at Northern Essex Community College. Since starting this program, I have learned that there is so much complexity in American Sign Language, made some incredible friendships, and fallen in love with the field of interpreting. I was able to get back to helping in elementary classrooms for a few months during a practicum at The Learning Center for the Deaf, and it has been great to be near Boston and have access to so many more dDeafDB events than I used to. Additionally, I have worked in the Activities Department at New England Homes for the Deaf and cherish the people I met there as well as the variety of experiences and backgrounds they have shared with me.

In my personal life, I enjoy crafts like crocheting and quilting, indoor rock climbing, hiking, and assorted DIY projects. I also enjoy photography; all of the nature photos on this website are ones that I have taken myself.