Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 135 No. 3 Spring 2014 | Page 25

Christopher Rawlings
ASL Specialist

Christopher Rawlings is a familiar face at WSD. In fact, he is an
alumnus from the class of 1995. Mr. Rawlings is an ASL Specialist.
He also graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in
2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in American Sign Language.
Prior to coming to WSD, he taught ASL in Milwaukee at a K-12
private school and at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Mr. Rawlings lives in Elkhorn with his two daughters and is engaged
to be married to a former WSD staff, Andrea Olson, next summer.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Rawlings enjoys spending time with his
girls. He also enjoys traveling and performing. This past summer he
performed with the 5 Eyes Project in both Chicago and Milwaukee.
Camping and social activities fill any free time. He is proud to say
his local beach volleyball team took the championship place this past
summer. He was, is and always will be a Detroit Lions fan.
Christopher is no stranger to WSD staff either. From 2000- 2002, he
worked as an Educational Assistant, and last year was hired as a part
time teacher in the middle school. Christopher is “thrilled to finally be
on staff at WSD!” We are thrilled to have you here too.

Matt Palma is a familiar face at WSD. Mr. Palma says he thinks he may have been a substitute in each one
of the classrooms over the last two years. Hard of hearing himself since the age of five, he was in a nearby
school district but did not require an interpreter. Mr. Palma learned the basics of ASL from Tom Harbison
while he was in high school. He later learned Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) and became fluent in KSL
before American Sign Language when he was in the Peace Corps for three years, stationed in Kenya at a
school for the Deaf. There, a little girl noticed the dimple in his chin and gave him his name sign. To us, it
is the sign for ‘red.’ He says Kenyan Sign Language is very different
than American Sign Language. The sign for bathroom is our sign for
’house’ as they use outhouses. The sign for Kenya looks like our letter
‘x’, but with the thumb fully wrapped by the pointer. While in Kenya,
Mr. Palma taught classes and led a project to provide books to four
different libraries. The school year in Kenya is nine months, but
instead of vacation during the months of June, July and August,
students are home for the months of April, August and December.
This gives the students the ability to continue to help at home on
family farms during the times when the help is most needed.
Prior to going to Kenya, Mr. Palma earned a bachelor’s degree
from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse in economics
and a master’s degree in sports administration. He was able to
intern at the headquarters of the NFL in New York City and
meet both Brett Favre and Bart Starr. Upon his return from Kenya
in 2011, he took ASL courses at Gallaudet and has been working
to improve his ASL skills since his employment here. He is
Matt Palma
currently pursuing his teacher certification and works as the
Teacher
middle school science teacher. When asked what he likes best about
WSD, Matt said, “The students here are wonderful.”
We think so too. Welcome Matt.
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