Arby Jean Wolkov

Arby Jean Wolkov is a teacher of American Sign Language (ASL) as a World Language,
and is grounded in the holistic philosophy that recognizes the interconnectedness of
language with rich cultural heritage, and identity.

When entering Ms. Wolkov’s classroom, her impact on her students, both Deaf/Hard of
Hearing and Oral, is unmistakable. She fosters an inclusive and supportive
environment, and her creative approach, such as weaving her love for Taylor Swift into
student-centered collaborations, is designed to involve and challenge all her students.
They learn the nuances of ASL and gain genuine appreciation for the importance of
inclusivity. Watching the class go silent as they “turn their voices off” to communicate
fully in ASL, is inspiring. Arby’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and students
frequently express how much they love Ms. Wolkov’s class. Her goal is to empower her
students to become “confident and effective communicators and Deaf Community
allies,” in an environment that encourages interpersonal communication and forges
lasting relationships with classmates, both Deaf and Oral.

With her unit on “English slang to ASL,” Ms. Wolkov emphasizes the importance of
spontaneous communication, and students enjoy teaching her, and one another, the
latest slang while translating it into ASL signs. This is the unit, she explains, “where
friendships between classmates flourish, Hearing and Deaf alike!”
Ms. Wolkov also partners with the drama department to have her students interpret
school plays for the Dead/HH community as part of her Principles of Interpreting unit.
The interpreted shows attract a wide audience of those passionate about accessibility
and inclusivity in the arts.

Ms. Wolkov, a Hard of Hearing person herself, whose first language was Tagalog, is
proud of cultivating a new generation of signers, and has made significant contributions
to the field through mentoring new teachers and presenting at conferences. Her
continued outreach has played a vital role in shaping the landscape of ASL education.