Interview with Susan Brule

School Director

The Laurent Clerc Academy Charter School

a bilingual academy (American Sign Language & English)

…opening in Concord this fall…

October 8, 2004

Laurent Clerc Academy charter school was authorized by the State Board of Education May 2004. This school will serve students from all over New Hampshire and will accept out-of-state students on a space available basis.

LCA plans to open its doors as soon as the Concord facility clears all approvals and is the state’s first school in decades designed for students who are deaf and hard of hearing and use American Sign Language. The school’s program is a college preparatory, bilingual academy for students K-12, opening with students in grades 1-8. The long-term school vision includes a residential option but for now, the school will open with day students.

Susan Brule was recently chosen as this new school’s first Director. Our interview asks Susan Brule about her background and basic information about one of New Hampshire’s most unique new chartered schools. 

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SH:  Susan, you have been hired as the new director of the Laurent Clerc Academy--a bilingual charter school taught in American Sign Language & English. Would you explain your background for this position?

SB:  I have worked in and with the Deaf community for the past 23 years in various capacities.  The most satisfying was my employ as a teacher at a bilingual charter school in Arizona that had a student population of deaf and hearing students.  Not only was it a completely ASL environment, but it was also a 'lab' school that served to research instruction of printed English through ASL and ASL gloss.  The research team, Dr. Sam Supalla and Dr. Laura Blackburn, were working to develop ASL tools to serve as a 'bridge' between ASL and English literacy.  Upon my family's return to Maine, we began seeking a means to establish a small school, similar to the Arizona model.  At this point, Maine does not have a charter law, so when we
heard about the new charter school in New Hampshire, I knew this was a school I wanted to be involved in.

SH: Do you have specific training in this field? Are you fluent in sign language yourself?

SB: Yes.  I have a Master's in Science in Deaf Education from McDaniel College in MD, a Master's in Social Work, and am currently enrolled in a CAS program for Literacy Education.  I am a nationally certified sign language interpreter and hold a Certificate of Transliteration, a Certificate of Interpretation, and a Specialty Certificate: Legal. The deaf community has been very gracious in terms of sharing their language and culture with me. Although one is always learning, I do consider myself to be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).

SH:  The charter school is a school of choice. What unique features of this school might encourage a parent to choose Laurent Clerc Academy?

SB:  The vision of the founders was a world class academic program where deaf students who primarily use American Sign Language can have direct instruction through ASL and also English, in printed form. The social environment, interaction with peers, will be through ASL and English. The language goals are clear. The school is committed to literacy. A unique feature is having a school culture that provides children examples of deaf adults who are active, professional adults—to inspiring our students. A lot of thought was given to the culture of the school—to create a welcoming and empowering culture for our students based on the advice and experiences of deaf adults. Likewise, LCA is an opportunity for 'families who sign' to have an
academic experience as a 'unit', as siblings who sign are welcome to enroll.    

SH: What type of student is the school for, in terms of hearing status? 

SB: LCA is for deaf, hard-of-hearing, or hearing children who use American Sign Language.
Hearing loss isn't the decisive factor.  At the same time, LCA would not be a good fit for students with minimal hearing loss who don’t use ASL.  

SH: What type of outreach will the school have with parents or school districts?

SB: We will be in contact with the organizations that are connected to parents, as well as the school districts and special education directors. We’ve discussed hosting a daylong program about deaf education and holding regional open houses to discuss the school.  As a parent of children who use ASL myself, I am well aware of the parent network that exists. Parents are instrumental in sharing information.

 
SH:  When do you plan to open, and where will the school be located?

SB:  We still have our sights on opening sometime this fall.  The immediate facility goal is to open at the Thayer Building in Concord as soon as all the facility requirements are met.

SH: With deaf children, the Least Restrictive Environment is not always the mainstream classroom/public school environment. Can you explain this?

SB: The least restrictive environment for deaf children who use ASL is an environment where both deaf and hearing peers are fluent in ASL. The inclusion of hearing children in an ASL educational environment, inherently maintains a base-line of high academic standards. This is different from a mainstreamed situation where a deaf child's hearing peers often are not fluent in ASL and instruction in grade-level content areas often goes through a “third” person, e.g. the interpreter. Things get "lost in the translation" so to speak. That is why this school’s charter and philosophy are committed to direct student instruction from qualified, ASL-fluent instructors.

SH:  Will LCA provide community-based or other mainstreamed experiences for the children who attend?

SB:  The model of instruction will be project based.  As students take the lead in developing their 'projects', they will be asked to incorporate 'community contribution' activities, and 'community involvement' activities.
Fridays will be reserved for field trips. Our teacher sees the community as the extended classroom of the school and has a plan for regular community experience.  

SH: Chartered public schools in New Hampshire are independent except in special education, where decision-making, including placement, stays with the local school district. How is this working out?

SB: Both parents and school districts are contacting us. Either way, we talk to parents and talk to school districts, explaining our school and admissions procedures. So far, the special education administrators have been very supportive and want to make the best decision for the student.

SH: LCA’s charter is for five years, opening in 2004-2005 with 10-15 students and then growing over 5 years to 60 or more students. You are opening with elementary-aged children this fall, is this correct?

SB: Yes, it is correct that the Board is planning to open with elementary-aged children. As I am sure is true with most charter schools, LCA will have to sell itself with the quality of its education. That is what a 'parent's choosing' opportunity is all about.

SH: The charter application mentions that the school eventually would like to offer a residential component.

SB: Yes, that is one of the long-range goals…but we want to get our doors open first!

SH: New Hampshire doesn't have an independent school serving students who are deaf/hh.  So quite a few NH students attend schools in other states.  How will the LCA be different from out-of-state schools that some New Hampshire students currently attend.
SB: It's home!

SH:  How can parents or districts contact you, for information or regarding an application?

SB:  Parents or schools can call me directly at (207) 457-2236. My office is temporarily based at Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (NDHHS) where I receive messages (603-224-1850). Specific information and student/staff applications are posted at www.nhdeaf-hh.org (look for and link specifically to information about Laurent Clerc Academy).