Jessica Madsen for DWHM

Spotlight for the Deaf Women Herstory Month...Meet Jessica Madsen, Technology Teacher at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. She is the first person to receive the Ron Clark Academy House Ambassador of the Year award!

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Hello. I’m Jessica Madsen. I’m a mother of 2. I’m a wife and I’m a K through 12 technology teacher at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf as well as a photographer. It’s important to celebrate Deaf women because we come from a variety of different backgrounds and it’s important to show support and solidarity with each other as well as being role models for future generations. The Ron Clark Academy is a private school in Atlanta, Georgia. Their vision of the housing system is to build character, relationships and school spirit. The housing system’s unique and creative variety of age groups approach builds a community that will strengthen the social and academic life for students. At Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, PDSD, we started the program in 2019 and it has continued strong to this day. We have 5 houses. Our housing system provides growth and we can see the positivity and motivation that the students exhibit as they participate in learning both in and out of the classroom. As for myself, winning the award as House Ambassador for the year, was a first. I was surprised to receive the award. I was truly amazed and inspired. I would like to thank my principal Courtney for nominating me for the award. On my journey as a Deaf woman I have encountered many challenges and barriers that I have had to overcome. In this journey I have been involved in various Deaf organizations such as the Phoenix Deaf Women Organization and I’ve had the opportunity to be on the board. I also joined DWU, Deaf Women United and was also on the board there. That really helped me gain a great experience as a Deaf woman where I was able to grow every day. I find it’s worth investing in something that you really believe in, continuing every day, learning and experiencing a variety of different things in the world. I have had so many role models. There are so many women out there who have paved a path for me and I really respect them for that. My words of advice and inspiration are to remember to embrace yourself and thrive for the best of who you are.