Each Friday we are introducing you to one of our outstanding Osprey faculty/staff members. This week we are pleased to introduce you to Ms. Collier, a deaf/hard of hearing sign language interpreter!
Who is your role model, and why?
Answer: My role model is Tara Lipinski, she was the youngest Olympic Champion ever. As well as overcoming many obstacles to accomplish her goals.
What things do you not like to do?
Answer: Throw things away, mostly because I know if I do then I’ll need the object I threw away for something else.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
Answer: An accomplishment I consider to be significant is that I received a 3.1 grade on my Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).
What’s your spirit animal?
Answer: My spirt animal is definitely a horse. I love to be wild and free, but when the time comes I’m also very calm and majestic.
What are you reading right now?
Answer: Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
Who was your favorite teacher?
Answer: My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher Mrs. Harper. She was the one that really embraced my love of reading and history.
Why did you become a sign language interpreter?
Answer: I became an educational interpreter because I wanted to do something in this world that would help children. I’ve always wanted to work with children.
Can you play any instruments?
Answer: Yes, I play the flute, piccolo, clarinet, and a little piano
What is the strangest talent you have?
Answer: I can touch my tongue to my nose
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Answer: To go to get married, go to Europe, and to see the Great Barrier Reef
What is the favorite part of your day?
Answer: The evening
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Answer: I would like to meet Queen Elizabeth the first, she was one of the greatest queens that Europe had ever seen, and she over came a male dominated world to rule England alone.
What are your 5 favorite foods?
Answer: Pizza, Pasta, Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish), Steak, Lobster
Before working at Oak Hammock, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Answer: Before working at Oak Hammock, I worked for a private interpreting agency named Accurate Communication, Inc. It was interesting because I got to learn about a lot of languages that exist through out the world.
What do you like most about Oak Hammock?
Answer: Definitely the people. I have gotten to meet so many of the amazing faculty and staff that work at Oak Hammock, and I feel honored to be a part of such a great family.
What is your proudest moment at Oak Hammock?
Answer: I have two, the first would be when I had the honor of interpreting the Holocaust presentation last year. I felt that it was an amazing honor to be able to interpret something that was so intense and to listen to the stories of the survivors. The second would be when I got to interpret the 8th grade graduation last year, and I got to watch my first group of 8th graders move on to high school.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Answer: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. “ – Walt Disney
What are three words that best describe you?
Answer: Kind, loyal, intelligent
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Answer: Crochet, I can make blankets, hats, dolls, and I’m getting better with every piece that I make.
What is your favorite sport/team?
Answer: My favorite sport would have to be softball. I played it for 9 years. Watching I’d have to say it’s a tie between football, and hockey. My favorite teams are the Florida State Seminoles, New England Patriots, Chicago Cubs, and the Detroit Tigers.
Where is your hometown?
Answer: I actually have two Jupiter, Florida. Where my family lives through out the year, and Clinton Iowa. Where my family goes to visit the rest of my family for two weeks every year. We’ve gone there every year for as long as I can remember and it’s home as well.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Answer: The best place I’ve ever traveled to would have to be the Grand Canyon. It’s so beautiful and awe inspiring that it takes your breath away.
Check back next Friday to meet another Outstanding Osprey Educator!