معرفی
Jessica Bentley-Sassaman is an Associate Professor in the ASL/English Interpreting Program within the Department of Early Childhood Education and Exceptionality Programs at Bloomsburg University. She is a nationally recognized interpreter and educator with a strong focus on professional standards in educational and legal interpreting for the Deaf and hard of hearing.
Educational Background:
- B.S. in Interpreting for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Bloomsburg University, 2001
- M.A. in Linguistics of ASL, Gallaudet University, 2004
- Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership, Walden University, 2011
Her research and professional work centers on Deaf-Hearing interpreter teams, interpreter education, and the linguistics of American Sign Language. She has made significant contributions to the field through her expertise in team interpreting dynamics and professional certification standards. Her doctoral focus on collaborative interpreting practices highlights her commitment to improving communication access in educational and legal contexts.
Jessica holds multiple prestigious certifications, including the Special Certificate: Legal (SC:L) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, a distinction held by only ten interpreters in Pennsylvania and the only college faculty member in the state with this credential. She also holds the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), RID certifications in interpretation and transliteration, and state legal certification.
She has been actively interpreting since 2001 and serves as a bridge between academic training and real-world interpreting practice. Her work emphasizes leadership in teacher development and high standards in interpreter performance, particularly in specialized domains such as law and education.
Labs and Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, her research focus on Deaf-Hearing interpreter teams suggests active engagement in collaborative interpreting research and practice, potentially involving interdisciplinary teams in education and linguistics.
