Illinois School for the Deaf

Consultation, training and technical assistance are provided by experts on a variety of issues associated with hearing loss. The staff includes educators who hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Deaf education, an audiologist, a certified interpreter, parents of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and adults who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Marcia Breese, Trainer/Coordinator

Marcia is the Coordinator for ISD Outreach Services, and has worked in the field of deafness and disabilities for more than twenty-five years. Marcia has advocated on both the local and state level for services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. She has served on the ISD Advisory Council, the Illinois Foundation for Deaf Children, the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Parents Manual Committee, and the ISBE task force which established the rules for approval of educational interpreters in Illinois. She is currently on the Governor’s Working Group for on Education for Illinois Blind and Deaf Students. As a parent, Marcia has first-hand experience with issues associated with raising and making decisions about children who are deaf. 

Tina Childress, Trainer/Consultant 

Tina is an educational audiologist who works in the mainstream and residential school settings. She has done trainings for parents and professionals on a variety of topics relating to hearing loss. Tina has expertise in cochlear implants, assistive technology, aural rehabilitation and the social/emotional impact of hearing loss. She is also a late-deafened adult with bilateral cochlear implants. She has a passion for mentoring, teaching and helping others navigate through the world of hearing loss and believes in paying it forward with her dual perspective as an audiologist and bilateral cochlear implant recipient by being active in advocacy, teaching and learning.

Charlotte Denight, Trainer/Consultant

Charlotte earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Elementary Education from Illinois State University. Prior to her retirement she worked at Illinois School for the Deaf for 33 years. She worked in Elementary, Jr. High and High School and in the TV studio during her years at ISD. Charlotte has been a trainer/consultant for Outreach since 1999. She is one of the first trainer/consultants to work for Outreach, and began when Outreach was known as Highlighting Education and Resources.

Amy Dixon-Kolar, Trainer/Consultant 

Amy Dixon-Kolar, M.A., CI & CT, has worked in the field of American Sign Language/English interpretation for over thirty years. She earned a B.A. degree from California State University, Northridge, in Deaf Studies: ASL Linguistics/Deaf Culture, a M.A. from National-Louis University in Adult Education and a certificate of interpretation from Waubonsee Community College. Amy is certified by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and licensed in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Since leaving her position as an assistant professor at William Rainey Harper College, Amy has been working in private practice as a freelance interpreter, independent consultant and presenter, as well as a consultant/trainer for the ISD Outreach program.

Ruth Ann Hull, Trainer/Consultant 

Ruth Ann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf Education from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois and a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Prior to her retirement, she worked at the Illinois School for the Deaf for thirty-two years and a day school program in Wisconsin for three years. She has taught students in the academic track and as well as students with multiple disabilities. Ruth Ann has been a trainer/consultant for Outreach since 2000.

Curt Kuhn, Trainer

Curt is one of a set of identical triplets who were born Deaf. Curt is a graduate of the Illinois School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University. He works as a Staff Development Specialist at ISD, and teaches American Sign Language at a local public high school. He is also the proud father of one son who is Deaf and three girls (triplets).

Andrea Marwah, Trainer/Consultant

Andrea Marwah received her BA degree in Psychology from North Central College in Naperville, IL. Since her daughter was diagnosed with hearing loss in 2002 she has taken a lead in educating parents and professionals on matters concerning IDEA and advocacy for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Andrea is also a Parent Guide for the IL Guide By Your Side Program where she provides one on one emotional support to families who have children with hearing loss. She serves on the Advisory Commission on Disabilities in her home town of Naperville, IL. When not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children ages 11, 9 and 6.