I’m Lisa Dembouski, a teacher in the self-contained Deaf/Hard of Hearing program here at Humboldt. Our program is unique (one of the few like it in the state!) in that we serve students who have a hearing loss as well as additional challenges such as never learning a formal language system (imagine that!), lack of experience with school or other educational settings, managing physical or cognitive issues, and so forth. I teach students in both the Junior and Senior High Schools and have worked for St. Paul Public Schools since 1999. I also happen to be hard of hearing myself, so if you aren’t using sign language, please be aware that I am reading your lips when you talk to me!
I have a B.A. in Psychology from the College of St. Benedict and an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Minnesota. I am licensed to teach DHH children from the ages of birth to 21 and am also a “highly qualified” teacher as mandated by NCLB law. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the U of M and, right now at least, am most interested in hearing loss and multiple disabilities as well as teacher preparation. I find the field to be as diverse and fascinating as the students I see every day and I’m enjoying the challenge of concurrent teaching and learning.
My specialty and areas of interest in Deaf education are functional academics, transition skills development training and experiential education. The majority of my instruction in Humboldt’s DHH program is hands-on, authentic, and directly related to helping my students become successful, contributing members of their communities after they leave school.
I spend what little remains of my free time on my house and my avocations: travel (wilderness, local, national, and international), camping, gardening, kayaking, reading and creative cooking.
