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Betty Colonomos
Betty M. Colonomos, currently serving as Director of the Bilingual Mediation Center, is a fluent ASL/English bilingual. Her academic background is in Deaf Education/Speech Pathology (B.S.), Counseling (M.A.), Linguistics (Doctoral program). Betty holds the Masters Comprehensive Skills Certificate (MCSC) from RID. She was the second recipient of the Mary Stotler Award for excellence in Interpreter Education from CIT.
Betty has chaired and served on many national committees on standards and evaluation of interpreters and served as President of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT). Ms. Colonomos has authored and appeared in video materials on interpreting and she co-authored (with MJ Bienvenu) videos on Deaf Culture, ASL Facial Grammar, and ASL Numbers. She worked as an International Sign interpreter for numerous conferences worldwide. Betty also consults with schools and the legal system as an expert on linguistic and cultural issues impacting the Deaf Community.
Betty is the developer of the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI), which is the most widely used model in the U.S. for teaching cognitive processes in interpreting.
She teaches the Foundations of Interpreting Series for hearing, Coda and Deaf interpreters that combines study of the IMI with a Vygotskian approach to learning.
Betty is the creator of the Etna Project (2002 – present) held in New Hampshire and Maryland. The project is a series of retreats supporting a Community of Reflective Practitioners who are interpreters committed to their own growth as they seek to become agents for change in the field of interpreting.
Most recently, she was awarded the 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT), and the 2022 Outstanding Ally Award from the Maryland Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Betty has chaired and served on many national committees on standards and evaluation of interpreters and served as President of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT). Ms. Colonomos has authored and appeared in video materials on interpreting and she co-authored (with MJ Bienvenu) videos on Deaf Culture, ASL Facial Grammar, and ASL Numbers. She worked as an International Sign interpreter for numerous conferences worldwide. Betty also consults with schools and the legal system as an expert on linguistic and cultural issues impacting the Deaf Community.
Betty is the developer of the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI), which is the most widely used model in the U.S. for teaching cognitive processes in interpreting.
She teaches the Foundations of Interpreting Series for hearing, Coda and Deaf interpreters that combines study of the IMI with a Vygotskian approach to learning.
Betty is the creator of the Etna Project (2002 – present) held in New Hampshire and Maryland. The project is a series of retreats supporting a Community of Reflective Practitioners who are interpreters committed to their own growth as they seek to become agents for change in the field of interpreting.
Most recently, she was awarded the 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT), and the 2022 Outstanding Ally Award from the Maryland Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Allison Paul-Perry
Allison Paul-Perry (She/Her/Hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She holds a
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology; a Master of Arts in
Human Service Management; and a Master of Social Work. For over 20 years, she has worked
in the field of social work focusing on youth, young adults, and families. Her passion for this
population has led to a lengthy career in the child welfare system. This included working with
youth, young adults, and families who interfaced with homeless shelters, transitional group
homes, independent living programs, judicial, foster care, and educational systems. Knowing the
importance of effective and accessible behavioral health supports for this unique population, she
joined the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in
2016. She currently serves as the Program Administrator for Early Interventions for First
Episode Psychosis within the Division of Mental Health. Additionally, she works as a crisis
therapist and maintains a private practice.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology; a Master of Arts in
Human Service Management; and a Master of Social Work. For over 20 years, she has worked
in the field of social work focusing on youth, young adults, and families. Her passion for this
population has led to a lengthy career in the child welfare system. This included working with
youth, young adults, and families who interfaced with homeless shelters, transitional group
homes, independent living programs, judicial, foster care, and educational systems. Knowing the
importance of effective and accessible behavioral health supports for this unique population, she
joined the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in
2016. She currently serves as the Program Administrator for Early Interventions for First
Episode Psychosis within the Division of Mental Health. Additionally, she works as a crisis
therapist and maintains a private practice.
Shelly Steiner
Shelly Steiner is Kentucky’s Opioid Response Effort (KORE) Prevention/Harm Reduction
Implementation Specialist. She works for the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health,
Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Previously she was the Drug Free Communities Grant Coordinator for the Carter County Drug
Free Coalition and the Pathways Regional Prevention Center. She earned her Certified
Prevention Specialist certificate in 2012 and has been working in the prevention field since 2009.
She has presented at the Kentucky Harm Reduction Summit, CADCA National Leadership
Forum, CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute, National Prevention Network Conference and the
National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. She has also participated in a round-table
discussion at the White House with the President in 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in
Secondary Education majoring in Spanish and minoring in Speech and Communications from
Morehead State University. She worked in the public school system for 17 years, four as a
Spanish teacher, before coming into the prevention field. Shelly has been a certified Youth
MHFA Instructor since 2020.
Implementation Specialist. She works for the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health,
Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Previously she was the Drug Free Communities Grant Coordinator for the Carter County Drug
Free Coalition and the Pathways Regional Prevention Center. She earned her Certified
Prevention Specialist certificate in 2012 and has been working in the prevention field since 2009.
She has presented at the Kentucky Harm Reduction Summit, CADCA National Leadership
Forum, CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute, National Prevention Network Conference and the
National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. She has also participated in a round-table
discussion at the White House with the President in 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in
Secondary Education majoring in Spanish and minoring in Speech and Communications from
Morehead State University. She worked in the public school system for 17 years, four as a
Spanish teacher, before coming into the prevention field. Shelly has been a certified Youth
MHFA Instructor since 2020.
Corinne A Liedtke
Corinne is a Kansas City, Missouri native currently living in Columbia, Missouri. She earned an A.S. degree in Sign Language Interpreting from MWCC and holds an Advanced MICS certification. With extensive experience in many interpreting arenas including VRS, theatre, medical, educational and mental health, she followed her passion for victim services when she was hired at DeafLEAD in 2019 as a Crisis Interpreter/Advocate. In her 21st year as an ASL interpreter, she is grateful every day for the privilege of working with the Deaf Community. On the personal side, Corinne is married to her high school sweetheart (who is also an Interpreter) and lives with their furbabies Winston, Danny and Mimsy.
Heidi Rich
Heidi Rich, MICS Master, graduated from William Woods University with a Bachelors of Science in English to ASL interpretation and owns SFC Interpreting. She worked as a freelance interpreter for 20 years in a variety Of settings such as legal. medical. mental health. vocational. VRI educational. political. and theatrical. She joined DeafLEAD in 2020 as a Master Trauma Interpreter and presents workshops on a National level. Heidi is married to Justin Rich and together they have 8 children. Needless to say she has experience working with natural disaster and trauma.
Theresa Baker-Simms
Theresa Barker-Simms was raised in a large Deaf Family and is fourth generation Deaf. She currently lives with her husband who identifies as Non-Status Metis and their daughter, along with 2 dogs in Ontario, Canada.
Theresa started interpreting at a young age for her parents, friends and family. She became involved with Deaf-Blind interpreting as a teenager, and that started the interpreting spark. Becoming a Deaf Interpreter was not something that Theresa thought she could do, as it was not a well-known profession in Canada. Only later in life was she able to meet others who were doing Deaf Interpreting and that inspired her to further her education and take workshops to work towards her goal of becoming an interpreter full-time.
Theresa has lived in various places- in two completely opposite sides of the globe, from Africa to the Northwest Territories in Northern Canada. She is also currently the president for Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) formerly AVLIC.
Theresa has taken various trainings in the US, as well as multiple workshops under the IMI seminars. To date, Theresa is currently the only Deaf Interpreter in Canada who has taken the Mental Interpreting Health Training workshop. She is one of 3 other Deaf Interpreters in Ontario that work full-time as a freelance interpreter. She often works in court, legal, mental health, medical, media interpreting and various other settings.
Theresa started taking seminars from BMC in 2018 and that was when the light bulb went off and IMI just made sense! Theresa is always eager to take further workshops under BMC as well as others, most recently, Our Vygotskyan Journey. Theresa has also recently joined the facilitating team here at BMC. She enjoys talking, reading, walks, camping/hikes and being outdoors with her family.
Theresa started interpreting at a young age for her parents, friends and family. She became involved with Deaf-Blind interpreting as a teenager, and that started the interpreting spark. Becoming a Deaf Interpreter was not something that Theresa thought she could do, as it was not a well-known profession in Canada. Only later in life was she able to meet others who were doing Deaf Interpreting and that inspired her to further her education and take workshops to work towards her goal of becoming an interpreter full-time.
Theresa has lived in various places- in two completely opposite sides of the globe, from Africa to the Northwest Territories in Northern Canada. She is also currently the president for Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) formerly AVLIC.
Theresa has taken various trainings in the US, as well as multiple workshops under the IMI seminars. To date, Theresa is currently the only Deaf Interpreter in Canada who has taken the Mental Interpreting Health Training workshop. She is one of 3 other Deaf Interpreters in Ontario that work full-time as a freelance interpreter. She often works in court, legal, mental health, medical, media interpreting and various other settings.
Theresa started taking seminars from BMC in 2018 and that was when the light bulb went off and IMI just made sense! Theresa is always eager to take further workshops under BMC as well as others, most recently, Our Vygotskyan Journey. Theresa has also recently joined the facilitating team here at BMC. She enjoys talking, reading, walks, camping/hikes and being outdoors with her family.
Nathan Fowler
Nathan Fowler, NIC-A, is a nationally certified ASL/English interpreter who enjoys exploring interpreting with colleagues. In 2007, he graduated from Northeastern University, double-majoring in linguistics and in ASL/English interpreting. He was credentialed by Massachusetts in 2007, and subsequently certified nationally by RID in 2009 (NIC), and again in 2011 (NIC-A). In 2009, Nathan began studying the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI), and he hasn’t stopped. The IMI provides a framework for reflecting upon and understanding his work, and as a tool for discussing work with others. Since 2010, Nathan has been an active member of the Etna Project, a retreat-style professional development series based on the IMI and facilitated by Betty Colonomos. Nathan has been an active member of RID, serving on various committees, including the PDC. He has been similarly active in his local affiliate chapter, MassRID. He lives in Massachusetts, and works at UConn and in private practice.
Lianne Moccia
Originally from Boston, Lianne Moccia’s first sign language class was at the Learning Center in Framingham, MA. Certified by RID in 1981 Lianne was fortunate that shortly thereafter Vermont colleagues brought her to The Bicultural Center in Maryland where she met MJ Bienvenu and Betty Colonomos. The Integrated Model of Interpreting has been the foundation of her work since.
Lianne’s community practice extends throughout VT and NH. Lianne was the founder of the Vermont Mentorship Project and served in various positions on the boards of both NHRID and VTRID. She has taught workshops throughout New England and beyond. Lianne coordinated the Etna Project NH from its inception in 2002 and she continues to be involved with The Bilingual Mediation Center and its many projects. This intensive commitment to and engagement with colleagues has provided her with a learning environment that permits, invites and encourages intellectual intimacy and growth.
Lianne’s community practice extends throughout VT and NH. Lianne was the founder of the Vermont Mentorship Project and served in various positions on the boards of both NHRID and VTRID. She has taught workshops throughout New England and beyond. Lianne coordinated the Etna Project NH from its inception in 2002 and she continues to be involved with The Bilingual Mediation Center and its many projects. This intensive commitment to and engagement with colleagues has provided her with a learning environment that permits, invites and encourages intellectual intimacy and growth.
Anthony Adkins
Anthony Adkins (He/Him/His) is the father of three children (20, 18, and 16) and lives in
Northern Kentucky with his husband, Aaron. Anthony taught in the Interpreter Training
Program at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Cincinnati, Ohio, for over 15
years. He served as an Adjunct Facility Teacher at the beginning and intermediate levels. He
also taught Intermediate Assessment and Theater Interpreting. Mr. Adkins was a language lab
coordinator, interpreter coordinator, mentor, and tutor. Anthony has worked at the
Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, & Intellectual Disability Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Services program for 18 months. As the program coordinator, he ensures that
resources and language access are provided across the state. Anthony is excited to continue
learning and growing as he works with community partners to provide better access and
services for the state of Kentucky. He wants to provide Deaf and hard-of-hearing people with a
better understanding of the resources available and build a network of support where language
access is guaranteed.
Northern Kentucky with his husband, Aaron. Anthony taught in the Interpreter Training
Program at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Cincinnati, Ohio, for over 15
years. He served as an Adjunct Facility Teacher at the beginning and intermediate levels. He
also taught Intermediate Assessment and Theater Interpreting. Mr. Adkins was a language lab
coordinator, interpreter coordinator, mentor, and tutor. Anthony has worked at the
Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, & Intellectual Disability Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Services program for 18 months. As the program coordinator, he ensures that
resources and language access are provided across the state. Anthony is excited to continue
learning and growing as he works with community partners to provide better access and
services for the state of Kentucky. He wants to provide Deaf and hard-of-hearing people with a
better understanding of the resources available and build a network of support where language
access is guaranteed.
Maryann Barth
Maryann Barth, MA, NCC, RTC, Deaf professional with over 25 years experience in various positions of: administrator, assessment coordinator. consultant, curriculum designer and educator . Teaching experience: ASL Linguistics, Deaf Studies, Interpreter Training, Mental Health and the Deaf Community, Psychology and Sociology. English Literature and Language Acquisition. Assessments coordinator and provider for: Deaf, Deaf and Disabled, and Deaf Blind individuals regarding ASL and Literacy. Consultative work, seminars and workshops presented nationally and internationally in high school and university settings.
Holly Evans
Holly Evans is a case manager for the DHH program at Seven Counties and has worked there for
6 years. She was previously with Vocational Rehabilitation for 10 years. Additionally, Holly
works as a Communication Specialist and Deaf Guide for several agencies. Holly graduated
with a Bachelors of Science in Deaf Education from Eastern Kentucky University and Masters in
Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky. She also is a Certified Work
Incentives Counselor from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her spare time, Holly enjoys
spending time with her two children and husband as well and traveling and walking!
6 years. She was previously with Vocational Rehabilitation for 10 years. Additionally, Holly
works as a Communication Specialist and Deaf Guide for several agencies. Holly graduated
with a Bachelors of Science in Deaf Education from Eastern Kentucky University and Masters in
Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky. She also is a Certified Work
Incentives Counselor from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her spare time, Holly enjoys
spending time with her two children and husband as well and traveling and walking!
Katie Moore
Katie Moore is a Deaf assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University, where she is a doctoral
candidate in Learning Design and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign with her dissertation focused on using peer learning models to develop L2 students'
ASL skills. She has her Masters in Teaching ASL from the University of Northern Colorado, and
has taught ASL for ten years, in both K-12 and postsecondary institutions. She also is a part of
the ASLTA Board, as Professional Development Director.
candidate in Learning Design and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign with her dissertation focused on using peer learning models to develop L2 students'
ASL skills. She has her Masters in Teaching ASL from the University of Northern Colorado, and
has taught ASL for ten years, in both K-12 and postsecondary institutions. She also is a part of
the ASLTA Board, as Professional Development Director.
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