- MS in Secondary Education (MSSE), for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf, RIT/NTID, Rochester, NY
- BFA in Interior Design and minor in Art History, Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT, Rochester, NY
BIO
Melissa Kate Adams-Silva (also known as MK) has over 12 years of experience teaching American Sign Language (ASL) at several colleges and universities around the country, mostly in the New England area. She has also taught Art to a wide range of students with various abilities and ages. She has been a Teacher of the Deaf for 20 years working with diverse groups of learners in various situations.
As a lecturer of American Sign Language (ASL), MK prides herself in fostering connections with those around her. She believes having a positive attitude and humor helps people connect and develop a deeper relationship with each other and their learning environment.
In addition to her role at UVM, she also teaches online courses in ASL, Deaf Culture, Deaf History, and Deaf Art for other colleges and universities. She has presented at several conferences throughout the United States and enjoys sharing her passion, wealth of knowledge, the ability to use games, art, body language, and surroundings to encourage the development of awareness and connection through experiences.
Prior to joining UVM, Melissa Kate has been a part of many organizations, clubs, and always strives to cultivate diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice for all, in and out of the classrooms. She has been a part of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ) committee and served on a panel presenting at the DEISJ conference that took place in Albany, NY Fall of 2023.
MK has a passion for helping others any way she can no matter where she is teaching, traveling, or exploring. She is always ready to make connections with people and their surroundings. She is also one of over 100 Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Plus individuals interviewed along with her husband in Success Wisdom: By Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (August 2024), a book written by a Deaf Author Karen Putz which also became a best seller in several categories.
Courses
- ASL 1100 American Sign Language I (section A)
- ASL 1100 American Sign Language I (section C)
- ASL 1100 American Sign Language I (section F)
Area(s) of expertise
- Language
- Public Speaking
- Team Mangament
Bio
Melissa Kate Adams-Silva (also known as MK) has over 12 years of experience teaching American Sign Language (ASL) at several colleges and universities around the country, mostly in the New England area. She has also taught Art to a wide range of students with various abilities and ages. She has been a Teacher of the Deaf for 20 years working with diverse groups of learners in various situations.
As a lecturer of American Sign Language (ASL), MK prides herself in fostering connections with those around her. She believes having a positive attitude and humor helps people connect and develop a deeper relationship with each other and their learning environment.
In addition to her role at UVM, she also teaches online courses in ASL, Deaf Culture, Deaf History, and Deaf Art for other colleges and universities. She has presented at several conferences throughout the United States and enjoys sharing her passion, wealth of knowledge, the ability to use games, art, body language, and surroundings to encourage the development of awareness and connection through experiences.
Prior to joining UVM, Melissa Kate has been a part of many organizations, clubs, and always strives to cultivate diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice for all, in and out of the classrooms. She has been a part of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ) committee and served on a panel presenting at the DEISJ conference that took place in Albany, NY Fall of 2023.
MK has a passion for helping others any way she can no matter where she is teaching, traveling, or exploring. She is always ready to make connections with people and their surroundings. She is also one of over 100 Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Plus individuals interviewed along with her husband in Success Wisdom: By Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (August 2024), a book written by a Deaf Author Karen Putz which also became a best seller in several categories.
Courses
- ASL 1100 American Sign Language I (section A)
- ASL 1100 American Sign Language I (section C)
- ASL 1100 American Sign Language I (section F)
Areas of Expertise
- Language
- Public Speaking
- Team Mangament