Clarke's signature magazine highlights the programs, services, families and professionals who make the Clarke community so vibrant!
On the Cover: Clarke alum Janette, left, a student in her local mainstream kindergarten, has received Clarke services since she was 18 months old and is a graduate of our Preschool Program. She is pictured here with her mother, Lili, during an Olympics celebration at Clarke in 2021. Photograph by Jane Zankman
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How to Create a Rich Learning Environment at Home—for Children at All Stages
With Clarke’s support, families learn various listening and spoken language (LSL) strategies to support language development through play and age-appropriate activities, and share experiences and questions with other families in Clarke’s support groups.
The Power of Representation
When children who are deaf or hard of hearing don’t see themselves reflected in pop culture, sports, television and positions of leadership, it’s natural to wonder where or how they fit in.
Clarke Alum Torin: Being a Mentor
“When I was growing up, I didn’t see any meaningful representation of deaf people,” says Torin Early, Clarke alum and college student at UMass Amherst.
Clarke Alum Juliet: Finding Connection through Commonalities
“Specifically in media such as television, representation of deaf/hard of hearing people can be disappointing. There is often a lot of inaccuracy and perpetuation of stereotypes,” says Juliet Corwin, Clarke alum and high school student.
Simoné Welgemoed: The Ballerina Who Happens to Be Deaf
“When my mom was looking for a ballet class… she was told, ‘No, sorry. I cannot take her in. Deaf children don’t dance. It’s going to be too difficult, and I don’t have time for this,’” says Simoné Welgemoed, a professional ballerina who is deaf.
American Girl Doll Joss: Providing a Mirror and a Window—for Children of All Hearing Abilities
In 2020, American Girl doll Joss Kendrick—a surfer who wears hearing aids—was selected as “Girl of the Year.”
Alexandra Dean Grossi: Lack of Representation Inspires Screenwriter to Tell her Story
“Pop culture is such a great educator,” says screenwriter Alexandra Dean Grossi. “And there is so much confusion around the deaf experience… I want to show there’s no right way to be deaf.”
Jessica Jordan-Hogan: Author Develops Relatable Superhero for Children with Hearing Loss
“All of the characters in my book represent one or several students that I’ve had throughout my career in deaf education,” says Jessica Jordan-Hogan, teacher of the deaf and children’s author.
How Leighton Is Finding Her Voice
Like most caregivers who discover their child was born with a hearing loss, Nina and Spencer worried at first how their infant daughter would communicate and if she would struggle academically and socially.
What Does Mars Sound Like? NASA & Clarke Find Out
Clarke preschoolers received a visit from NASA scientist Dr. Mike Hecht in 2021 and had the opportunity to ask questions about outer space.
Paving the Way, from Infancy to Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a major transition for young children and their families, and the skills required to take this exciting step won’t be established with last-minute worksheets and number games. At Clarke, preparation for kindergarten begins when a family enrolls in our early intervention (EI) services—and ideally before a baby is even six months old.
Nurturing All Areas of Development at Clarke
Clarke may be best known for its expertise in helping children with hearing loss develop their listening and spoken language skills, but this process takes place within a larger framework of support to develop many other crucial skills, like executive function and interpersonal communication.
Audiologists as Educators and Coaches: Fostering Self-Advocacy for Long-Term Success
Educational audiologists, like those at Clarke, help with the pragmatic skills kids need to gain confidence and autonomy regarding their hearing loss and hearing technology.
Inspired by Her Sister, Educator Devotes Nearly 50 Years to Students at Clarke
Already a fierce advocate for the deaf, Anita Diemand left Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, in 1970 to enter Clarke’s teacher training program in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Alum Supports Local Youth On and Off the Court
Ryan was 18 months old when his parents learned he was hard of hearing. He began wearing hearing aids at age two and then enrolled at Clarke as a boarding student when he was five.
Alum Credits Confidence to Family—at Home and at Clarke
“Clarke helped me with hearing and building confidence—tremendously,” Christine says. “Because of their trust in me and the confidence they built in me, I was able to go to a mainstream school with hearing people and be around all people—deaf and hearing.”
Depictions of Gratitude from the Clarke Community
We asked the Clarke community: What are you grateful for this year?
