Students foster inclusive community with sign language club

by Alex Vukoder

At Bath Elementary School, Rachel Vitez is doing more than interpreting – she’s creating a community of inclusion and understanding through leading the sign language club. With over 40 years of experience as a professional interpreter and educator, Vitez’s passion for connecting people has spread through the Revere school community.

Her journey with sign language began in high school during a mission trip to Haiti with nonprofit ministry Open M, where she volunteered at a school for deaf children. Inspired by this experience, she learned sign language, and after graduating high school, returned to Haiti to teach at a school for children who were deaf and blind. She spent a year teaching sign language, arts and crafts, and swimming to children, most of whom were orphans who boarded at the school. This experience solidified her commitment to working with the deaf community and inspired her to pursue further education.

Upon returning to the U.S., Vitez enrolled in the University of Akron’s Interpreter Program. After graduating, she began interpreting professionally and continued to expand her skills, earning her degree in education. Now, she serves as an interpreter at Bath Elementary for fifth-grade student Gwenneth Kelly.

As part of her role, Vitez experiences everything along with her students, interpreting the whole time. “If a student joins a basketball team or bowling team, I’m there to make sure they’re fully included and can participate,” she said. 

When Vitez started working with Gwenn in fourth grade, she taught basic sign language to just Gwenn’s immediate classmates. “I wanted Gwenn to feel part of the community,” she explained. This effort blossomed into the sign language club as she expanded lessons to the entire fourth grade. Last year, 280 fourth-graders participated, and this year, students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to join, with over 300 students participating so far.

The club meets after school and students learn the alphabet, basic signs, conversational phrases and songs in sign language. They also engage in craft projects that tie into deaf culture to help them understand and appreciate the community with whom they’re learning to communicate. Revere High School seniors Megan Riley and Annabelle Steiner volunteer weekly to support the club’s activities.

“Sign language is a fun way to bring people together,” said Vitez. “All kids are welcome in the club; it’s a place for everyone.”

Vitez credits Bath Elementary staff and families for their unwavering support. “The flexibility and encouragement from the school have been incredible,” she said. “Principals Dan Fry and Andrew Wilson truly understand the importance of inclusion and have been amazing advocates for the club.”

Beyond the club, she said she hopes Revere middle and high schools will consider offering sign language as a foreign language option. Vitez also hopes Gwenn and her brother Ean, a second grader at Richfield Elementary, will eventually be surrounded by peers and teachers who feel comfortable communicating with them.“Learning to sign is a gift,” she said. “It builds a bridge not only for practical communication but also for friendships.”

Photo caption: Teacher/Interpreter Rachel Vitez (middle) stands with deaf student Gwenn Kelly (pink pants) and other student members of the Sign Language Club. Photo submitted.