WELCOME

Currently I am a senior at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and will be graduating in May of 2010. Upon graduation I will have a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in American Sign Language Interpreting. I am in the process of seeking employment for post-graduation.

Throughout my years at Augustana College, I have refined my skills in ASL and English and have acquired an extensive knowledge of various modes related to processing, self evaluation and ethics. My education and development has also included a proficient understanding and practical application of dynamic equivalence. Augustana also prepared me for the National Interpreter Certification test of which I have passed the knowledge portion.

I am excited to be in a place where my skills can grow and there are opportunities available for me to be a permanent part of the interpreting community. I believe a company like yours would provide me the stability and support I would need post-graduation as well as the chance to learn and grow.

I am an enthusiastic and driven individual who has a passion for interpreting and considers hard work and professionalism to be essential values. I am pursuing my national certification and plan to take the performance portion of the test in May following graduation. I am looking forward to being in the Deaf Community full time as an interpreter after my internship. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to further discuss an interview with your organization. Please contact me at (605) 431-2587 at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please enjoy my portfolio.

Sincerely,

Amanda Leisten

RESUME

A resume of my qualifications is available upon request. Please email your request to amleisten06@gmail.com

Thank you for your interest.

PHILOSOPHY OF INTERPRETING

Here are three progressions of my philosophy of interpreting. The first was written during my first year of interpreting classes, second during practicum, and third during internship before graduation. Enjoy.


First Philosophy

Second Philosophy

MY WORK

I have an assortment of samples of my interpreting available for view on My YouTube Page. Please feel free to watch some or all of them. Enjoy!

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Habitat for Humanity-Informational Meeting in Rapid City, SD (March 2010)
Interpreted an informational meeting for Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

Church-Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral (Spring 2010)
Interpreted Sunday night mass at my church throughout internship.

Tax Refund Meetings-AARP (February-April 2010)
Occasionally interpreted tax refund meetings for the local Deaf Community throughout the tax season.

Alcoholics Anonymous-(December 2009)
Team interpreted every other Saturday with my professor.

PTA Meetings-Elementary School (Fall 2009)
Interpreted two meetings per month throughout the fall semester; some in a team environment and some were solo. Topics included a sock hop dance and fund raising.

Dakota Spirit-Showdown Performance (October, 2009)
Interpreted a cheer leading and dance performance as well as raffle and auction portion of the evening.

Dakota Spirit-Parent’s Meeting (September, 2009)
Interpreted a parent’s informational meeting for a cheer leading team.

Dakota Spirit-Registration and Information Night (May, 2009)
Went from booth to booth with Deaf client and interpreted each booth for them and the overall announcements.

Breast Cancer Race-Avera McKennan (May, 2009)
Team interpreted the 21^st annual Avera race against breast cancer in a platform setting. Interpretation included morning workout and announcements involving winners, prizes, and thank you.

Burst of Sign-Augustana College (April, 2009)
Team interpreted four productions of the variety show; primarily ASL to English interpreting.

Mary Kay Party (April, 2009)
Team interpreted a Mary Kay party for a group of twelve Deaf women.

Fiddler on the Roof-Middle School ( March, 2009)
Team interpreted a Middle School production of the play for Deaf parents whose son was in the play.

Chapel Services- Augustana College (January - May, 2009)
Class requirement to team interpret five 30-minute services, of which three were in a team environment and two were solo. All services included music and a 10-minute sermon.

Boy Scouts of America Meeting- South Dakota School for the Deaf (September 2008)
Team interpreted a Boy Scout informational meeting introducing parents to the basics of Boy Scouts followed by a question and answer section.

Kid’s Wrestling- Lincoln High School (October 2007-January 2008)

Interpreted wrestling practices and events for boys age four through seven. This required considerable use of classifiers and gestures which assisted in retaining the boy’s attention.

As of 3/1/10 I have a total of 52.5 hours of volunteer interpreting experience.

WORKSHOPS

Demand Control Schema Part 2-Sioux Falls, SD (March 2010)

Interpreting Scenarios: What would you do?- Aberdeen, SD (October, 2009)

Summer SDIA Retreat-Madison, SD (June, 2008)

Demand Control Schema Part 1-Sioux Falls, SD (March, 2008)

EIPA: No Surprises-Sioux Falls, SD (November, 2007)

Silent Retreat-Sioux Falls Area, SD (Fall 2006-2009)