In November 2025, the Michigan Department of Education Resource for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (MDE RDHH) hosted its most highly attended conference to date, drawing 177 participants, including staff and exhibitors.
The two-day conference brought together professionals, school staff, and adult family members to participate in meaningful learning and discussions around the theme of Language for Life: Transforming Education for the Whole Child.
One conference highlight was a keynote presentation by Dr. Christina Rivera from the University of Arizona. During her talk, Dr. Rivera challenged attendees to reimagine the role of itinerant teachers and inspired thoughtful dialogue around instructional practices.
The first day also featured parent-focused breakout sessions, offering insights and resources tailored to families navigating the educational journey with children who are DHH. In the afternoon, a student panel offered a glimpse into the diverse educational experiences of several students who are DHH.
As the event came together, a last-minute venue change required quick adjustments. We are grateful to Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center for accommodating our needs on short notice. The larger space also allowed us to increase our capacity for the conference.
Thank you to our conference partners, who helped make this event a success:
- Michigan Hands & Voices (gold-level contributor)
- DeafBlind Central (gold-level contributor)
- School personnel team: Debra Burkhardt, Darlene Dorsette, Beth Kennedy, Jennifer Padgett, Caitlin Scollin, Andrea Skrocki, Lisa Tuttle, Kelly Young