Rodrigo Ortiz Sánchez
2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: American Sign Language as a Foreign Language for Deaf StudentsMexico
Rodrigo Ortiz Sánchez graduated with a degree in linguistics from the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia. He holds a masters in pedagogy from the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional. Rodrigo is a professor of Spanish as a Foreign Language by the Instituto Cervantes and Certified Interpreter of Mexican Sign Language. He has ten year sof teaching experience with students with sensory and physical disabilities at a variety of education levels. Currently Rodrigo is a research professor and coordinator of the Inclusion Program at the Polytechnic University of Santa Rosa Jáuregui.
IVLP Impact Award Project: American Sign Language as a Foreign Language for Deaf Students
The primary goal of this project was to support the academic and intercultural development of deaf students at the Polytechnic University of Santa Rosa Jáuregui (UPSRJ) by creating an American Sign Language (ASL) course and partnering with Gallaudet University. The course trained 9 students on how to increase metalinguistic awareness and created a long-term impact on their academic achievement by promoting their independence and cultural competency. The success of the project resulted in Gallaudet University considering the course to become a permanent staple in its curriculum.
IVLP Exchange Experience
Rodrigo was a participant in the IVLP Project Addressing the Needs of Underserved and At-Risk Youth organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas.
Rodrigo's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "I found the program to be very beneficial to me and my goals for the future and all the opportunities it has opened up for me. It was an amazing experience. I learned about how we can improve and be more helpful to society. It's so inspiring!"
U.S. Communities Visited Virtually
Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; St. Petersburg, FL; Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; St. Louis, MO; Jackson, MS; Albuquerque, NM; Buffalo, NY; Columbia, SC; San Antonio, TX