Educational Team Collaboration: Roles, Responsibilities, and the IEP

Collaboration Between Teachers of the Deaf and Educational Interpreters
Effective collaboration between Teachers of the Deaf (TODs) and Educational Interpreters is essential to ensuring that Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students have meaningful access to instruction and educational services. This session will explore the distinct yet complementary roles of each professional, clarify responsibilities throughout the educational process, and examine how both contribute to student success within the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

Participants will discuss common areas of role overlap, communication challenges, and practical strategies for building stronger collaborative partnerships. Following the presentation, attendees will participate in facilitated small-group discussions to reflect on their experiences, explore real-world scenarios, and identify actionable strategies for strengthening collaboration within their educational teams.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
-Describe the distinct roles and responsibilities of Teachers of the Deaf and Educational Interpreters in educational settings.
-Explain how each professional contributes to the IEP process while maintaining role-appropriate responsibilities.
-Identify common barriers to effective collaboration and strategies for improving communication and teamwork.
-Apply collaborative problem-solving strategies to authentic school-based scenarios through facilitated discussion.

Audience
This workshop is open to individuals working in Deaf and Hard of Hearing settings in Georgia who hold a valid license to work with DHH students, including Educational Interpreters, Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TODs), American Sign Language (ASL) teachers, and other DHH professionals. Juniors and seniors enrolled in Georgia-based Interpreter Education Programs (IEPs) are also encouraged to attend.

Facilitators
Dr. Lisa Godfrey
Stormey Cone
Rebecca Tucker

Continuing Education Information
This Professional Studies program is being processed for 0.2 CEUs at the “some” content knowledge level. Meghan Cowin is an approved RID CMP sponsor for continuing education activities.

Accessibility
This workshop will be presented in spoken English, and ASL interpreters will be provided.

Primary Contact: Lisa Godfrey - lisa.godfrey@doe.k12.ga.us

Secondary Contact: Stormey Cone - stormey.cone@doe.k12.ga.us