About CAID
Mission
CAID continues to respond to teachers…
The CAID continues to follow the tradition begun in 1850 and recognizes the value of bringing fellow teaching professionals together to share experiences and ideas for the purpose of improving learning opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children, adolescents and young adults.
CAID has undergone a metamorphosis…
The CAID recognizes change. National Certification has given way to State Certification and teachers have become more dispersed. Where in the past, CAID members tended to work side by side at regional centers (state schools or large metropolitan programs), currently, most teachers in deaf education are spread out often working in relative isolation, doing their best to meet the needs of their students: with varying degrees of success and varying degrees of frustration.
CAID has a new mission…
The CAID focus is consistent with a current generation i.e., We are attempting to reach out to the thousands of teachers who are working with deaf and hard of hearing students in diverse educational environments (Kindergarten through College), most of whom are relatively isolated from colleagues who are experiencing similar challenges.
CAID recognizes the importance of communication…
The CAID is establishing and maintaining a communication system, a communication network that will allow for immediate and effective communication on both a general level (CAID.org and CAID listserv; on FaceBook at "Council of American Intructors of the Deaf" and "CAID-Students"; and at the a specific level CAID REGIONAL & SIG listserves).
CAID is inclusive…
The CAID welcomes ALL persons involved in the teaching/learning process with deaf and hard of hearing students to become a member of this vibrant community, regardless of how one practices the art of assisting each deaf and hard of hearing student to achieve ones academic potential and personal dreams. CAID members include teaching support professionals, educational interpreters, instructional, techs counselors and others involved with deaf and hard of hearing learners.
SEE OUR BYLAWS
Meet Your Board
President
Dr. Dani Willhite
Email: president@caid.org
Dr. Dani Willhite holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Deaf Education from Missouri State University, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University, with research focused on collaboration between TODs and ASL interpreters. Dani is also a licensed ASL interpreter in MO and IL.
Dani has presented on collaborative practices through The Online Itinerant and twice at the University of Montevallo's Deaf Education and ASL Forum. Passionate about fostering collaboration in the field, Dani founded the Facebook community Educational Interpreters and TODs Working Together, which connects the two professions in better serving DHH students. With experience across middle and high school settings - including self-contained, push-in services, and resource level - Dani has worked with a diverse population of DHH students. Areas of professional experience include bilingual approaches, collaborative service delivery, and supporting advocacy and effective communication access for all DHH students.
President Elect
Jeannine Watson
Email: president.elect@caid.org
Jeannine Watson, M.Ed. has over 28 years of experience working with students with hearing loss. in both a classroom and itinerant setting. Jeannine knew she wanted to be a deaf education teacher from an early age. Growing up as a CODA led to her passion of teaching D/HH students.
Jeannine earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Deaf Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in December of 1994 and a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education with a concentration in Deaf Education from the University of Northern Colorado in December of 2016. She also has her teaching English as a Second Language and Special Education Supervision certification.
Jeannine is active in several professional organizations including PA Educators of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (PESDHH) on the Executive Board and on the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Friends of the Hearing Center advisory board. In her free time, Jeannine enjoys traveling with her husband, camping, hiking, reading and spending time with her six grandchildren.
Communications Officer
Julie Luke
communications@CAID.org
Julie Luke has dedicated her career to serving students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 2003. She has served as a teacher at the South Dakota School for the Deaf, a public school teacher, an Outreach Consultant with South Dakota Services for the Deaf, and currently as Administrator of Outreach Services. As a Deaf professional, Julie combines her lived experience with a passion for improving educational outcomes for children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Julie earned her bachelor's degree in Deaf Education from Augustana University and her master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Deaf Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of South Dakota.
She serves on the South Dakota Hands & Voices Board, the South Dakota School for the Deaf Advisory Board, and the Clerc Center Public Input Board at Gallaudet University.
Treasurer
Traci Bowling
Email: treasurer@CAID.org
Traci has served as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for over 15 years. Throughout her career, she has been committed to supporting children and young adults who are deaf and hard of hearing while partnering with families and collaborating with educational teams to promote student success.
Traci earned her Bachelor's degree in Deaf Education from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master's degree from Walden University. Her experience includes working with children and young adults from birth through age 22 in a variety of educational settings, including self-contained classrooms, itinerant services, and inclusive school programs. Currently she is working in California but has also been an educator in West Virginia, Florida, and Arizona. She has supported students who use spoken language, sign language, or a combination of both, and is passionate about promoting equitable access to education and sharing best practices with educators and families.
SIG Co-Director
Brenda Wellen
Email: sigdirector@caid.org
Brenda Wellen is the Executive Director and Co-owner of Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss. She is a veteran Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with over 35 years’ experience as a self-contained teacher, parent-infant advisor, and itinerant teacher. She has a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Texas Woman's University and holds positions on several state committees planning events for professionals, parents, and students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
SIG Co-Director
Vielka Montout
Email: sigdirector@caid.org
Vielka Montout is a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with more than 25 years of experience supporting students, families, and educational teams across diverse educational settings. She is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice at California State University, East Bay, where her research examines resilience, educational equity, and the experiences of BIPOC Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults. In addition to her work as an educator and researcher, she is the founder of Quita is Love and author of multiple children’s books that promote Deaf awareness, American Sign Language, and inclusive representation.
