Angela Ashworth
Angela holds a B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Speech Language Pathology & Audiology) from the University of Florida. During her time at UF, she was an active member of the Signing Gators Club and volunteered extensively with deaf, hard of hearing, and special needs individuals. Angela is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), with an Advanced Plus rating on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview Rating Scale (SLPI). After graduating, Angela moved to Georgia and worked at The Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD) from 2007 to 2017, holding various positions, including Accountant, Office Manager, Speech Language Pathologist, ASL Interpreter, and Fund Raising Coordinator. She also established the Athletic Booster Club and Mascot programs. Angela currently teaches ASL classes both online and in-person, contracting with charter and home schools to meet foreign language graduation requirements. In the Summer of 2024 she began working as a Learning Facilitator with the ASL Virtual Academy, the United States' premier online academy for obtaining World Language Credit in middle, high school and college in ASL. She volunteers at local schools, Santa Claus conferences, daycare centers, senior centers, recreation departments, Scout meetings and senior living facilities as well as community theaters, promoting ASL and Deaf awareness. Additionally, Angela serves as a technical advisor and ASL tutor for entertainment companies, working with actors and musicians to incorporate accurate ASL into performances. She has offered private tutoring in English and ASL for 20 years and is the founder and CEO of I Love Learning ASL and Crest Pointe Entertainment Group, LLC., which specializes in live music booking, management, and promotions of independent songwriters and recording artists. Angela resides in Villa Rica, GA, with her husband Drew and their blended family of six amazing children.
Angela holds a B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Speech Language Pathology & Audiology) from the University of Florida. During her time at UF, she was an active member of the Signing Gators Club and volunteered extensively with deaf, hard of hearing, and special needs individuals. Angela is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), with an Advanced Plus rating on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview Rating Scale (SLPI). After graduating, Angela moved to Georgia and worked at The Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD) from 2007 to 2017, holding various positions, including Accountant, Office Manager, Speech Language Pathologist, ASL Interpreter, and Fund Raising Coordinator. She also established the Athletic Booster Club and Mascot programs. Angela currently teaches ASL classes both online and in-person, contracting with charter and home schools to meet foreign language graduation requirements. In the Summer of 2024 she began working as a Learning Facilitator with the ASL Virtual Academy, the United States' premier online academy for obtaining World Language Credit in middle, high school and college in ASL. She volunteers at local schools, Santa Claus conferences, daycare centers, senior centers, recreation departments, Scout meetings and senior living facilities as well as community theaters, promoting ASL and Deaf awareness. Additionally, Angela serves as a technical advisor and ASL tutor for entertainment companies, working with actors and musicians to incorporate accurate ASL into performances. She has offered private tutoring in English and ASL for 20 years and is the founder and CEO of I Love Learning ASL and Crest Pointe Entertainment Group, LLC., which specializes in live music booking, management, and promotions of independent songwriters and recording artists. Angela resides in Villa Rica, GA, with her husband Drew and their blended family of six amazing children.
Dr. Tiffany Pauling-Brown
Dr. Tiffany Pauling-Brown has been in the field of deaf education for over twenty years. She has taught multiple subject areas from grades six thru twelfth. She is currently the lead middle school teacher, and the mathematics teacher for grades six through eight at Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD), located in Cave Spring, Georgia. She presently resides in Rome, Georgia. Dr. Pauling-Brown received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree, with an emphasis in Special Education, and her Master of Science in Education degree in Special Education, with an emphasis in Deaf Education, from Valdosta State University. She received her Education Specialist degree, with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction, from Berry College, and her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama. Dr. Pauling-Brown has been the recipient of the GSD 2018 Teacher of the Year award, GSD 2024 Teacher of the Year award and the 2024 State Schools District Teacher of the Year. She was an Atlanta Families Awards for Excellence in Education (AFAEE) nominee. Dr. Pauling-Brown is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Dr. Pauling-Brown has submitted and published a Book Review in the International Journal of Special Education titled, “Teaching and Learning: Bilingual Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” and has also published her dissertation in ProQuest titled, A Quantitative Study on The Power Dynamics of The Principal Teacher Relationship. Dr. Pauling-Brown has also served as an interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing students who participate in the Mission IS Possible (MIP) Foundation cheer team, the Shining Stars. In this program, individuals with additional disabilities get the opportunity to experience real cheerleading camp, learn a real cheerleading routine, attend real cheerleading practices with real cheer coaches, wear real cheerleading uniforms, and represent their community with three incredible performances. Yearly the team performs at the Coosa Valley Fair for “Cheerleading Night,” The “Rock n Cheer” pep rally at Chattooga High School, and a special guest we perform at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Cheerleading Championship competition in Macon. Through the MIP Foundation, young people continue to realize that through service to others, they are being, and can always be, the change they want to see in their world. That change can begin right now, in their own community, with their own hands. For those hungering for relationship MIP brings authentic conversation. For those thirsting for dignity, MIP offers genuine respect. For those displaced by estrangement, MIP offers reconnection. For those sickened with self-doubt, MIP offers affirmation. For those imprisoned by injustice, MIP offers liberation because in all things, in all places, at all times, we believe the Mission IS Possible. She has a deep passion for teaching people about the beauty of American Sign Language and the richness of Deaf culture. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help others understand and appreciate these aspects while learning to use ASL efficiently.
Dr. Tiffany Pauling-Brown has been in the field of deaf education for over twenty years. She has taught multiple subject areas from grades six thru twelfth. She is currently the lead middle school teacher, and the mathematics teacher for grades six through eight at Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD), located in Cave Spring, Georgia. She presently resides in Rome, Georgia. Dr. Pauling-Brown received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree, with an emphasis in Special Education, and her Master of Science in Education degree in Special Education, with an emphasis in Deaf Education, from Valdosta State University. She received her Education Specialist degree, with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction, from Berry College, and her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama. Dr. Pauling-Brown has been the recipient of the GSD 2018 Teacher of the Year award, GSD 2024 Teacher of the Year award and the 2024 State Schools District Teacher of the Year. She was an Atlanta Families Awards for Excellence in Education (AFAEE) nominee. Dr. Pauling-Brown is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Dr. Pauling-Brown has submitted and published a Book Review in the International Journal of Special Education titled, “Teaching and Learning: Bilingual Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” and has also published her dissertation in ProQuest titled, A Quantitative Study on The Power Dynamics of The Principal Teacher Relationship. Dr. Pauling-Brown has also served as an interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing students who participate in the Mission IS Possible (MIP) Foundation cheer team, the Shining Stars. In this program, individuals with additional disabilities get the opportunity to experience real cheerleading camp, learn a real cheerleading routine, attend real cheerleading practices with real cheer coaches, wear real cheerleading uniforms, and represent their community with three incredible performances. Yearly the team performs at the Coosa Valley Fair for “Cheerleading Night,” The “Rock n Cheer” pep rally at Chattooga High School, and a special guest we perform at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Cheerleading Championship competition in Macon. Through the MIP Foundation, young people continue to realize that through service to others, they are being, and can always be, the change they want to see in their world. That change can begin right now, in their own community, with their own hands. For those hungering for relationship MIP brings authentic conversation. For those thirsting for dignity, MIP offers genuine respect. For those displaced by estrangement, MIP offers reconnection. For those sickened with self-doubt, MIP offers affirmation. For those imprisoned by injustice, MIP offers liberation because in all things, in all places, at all times, we believe the Mission IS Possible. She has a deep passion for teaching people about the beauty of American Sign Language and the richness of Deaf culture. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help others understand and appreciate these aspects while learning to use ASL efficiently.
Nikki Mattick
Nikki is a devoted wife and mother of two wonderful children. As a full-time nurse, she dedicates her professional life to caring for others. In her free time, Nikki pursues her passions for American Sign Language (ASL), crocheting, and outdoor activities, particularly swimming. Nikki's fascination with ASL began at age 7, when her family learned basic signs to communicate with her deaf family member. Her interest in the language continued to grow, and she sporadically studied ASL throughout her school years and college. Since 2019, Nikki has committed to formal ASL classes, significantly advancing her knowledge and proficiency. With a heart for teaching and community building, Nikki aims to share ASL with anyone eager to learn. She aspires to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf/hard of hearing communities, fostering greater understanding and connection. Nikki has a special interest in ASL interpretation of music and song, as well as using sign language to serve her local church and community.
Nikki is a devoted wife and mother of two wonderful children. As a full-time nurse, she dedicates her professional life to caring for others. In her free time, Nikki pursues her passions for American Sign Language (ASL), crocheting, and outdoor activities, particularly swimming. Nikki's fascination with ASL began at age 7, when her family learned basic signs to communicate with her deaf family member. Her interest in the language continued to grow, and she sporadically studied ASL throughout her school years and college. Since 2019, Nikki has committed to formal ASL classes, significantly advancing her knowledge and proficiency. With a heart for teaching and community building, Nikki aims to share ASL with anyone eager to learn. She aspires to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf/hard of hearing communities, fostering greater understanding and connection. Nikki has a special interest in ASL interpretation of music and song, as well as using sign language to serve her local church and community.
Stephanie Parsons
Stephanie is a Behavior Analyst living in upstate New York, having moved to the Hudson Valley after seven years in New York City. While living in NYC, Stephanie worked with the Deaf community in various capacities including an internship with the Deaf adult population of the Federation Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS), a stage manager for the Off Off Broadway production of Sign-arella, and a job coach for Deaf individuals at Education and Employment Consulting. She currently works with adults diagnosed with intellectual, developmental, and medical disabilities and teaches classes for individuals training to be Registered Behavior Technicians. Stephanie remains a perpetual student, both in the ASL language and in life, and hopes to learn as much or more from her students as they learn from her.
Stephanie is a Behavior Analyst living in upstate New York, having moved to the Hudson Valley after seven years in New York City. While living in NYC, Stephanie worked with the Deaf community in various capacities including an internship with the Deaf adult population of the Federation Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS), a stage manager for the Off Off Broadway production of Sign-arella, and a job coach for Deaf individuals at Education and Employment Consulting. She currently works with adults diagnosed with intellectual, developmental, and medical disabilities and teaches classes for individuals training to be Registered Behavior Technicians. Stephanie remains a perpetual student, both in the ASL language and in life, and hopes to learn as much or more from her students as they learn from her.
In Loving Memory of Julia Flint
Julia was involved with ASL for over 20 years, both as a student of the language, and as a facilitator in our ASL practice sessions and our fundamental/beginner courses. She was also the original webmaster for this website and was the true inspiration for I Love Learning ASL to go completely online when Covid hit in early 2020. She didn't want to see our hard work take a back seat when the world shut down so she used her innovated ways of thinking to help Angela launch I Love Learning ASL and form it into what it is today. She collaborated with her Deaf teacher (in California) on a classroom textbook ("Conversational Signing"), and continued to practice ASL whenever possible. Pre-Covid she ran our our adult- level ASL Club in person in Douglasville, GA and facilitated our original online practice sessions, where students practice fingerspelling, sign receptivity, conversational phrases, and other components of the language. Julia was an actress as well as an ASL teacher and was recently seen in the television shows, "The Resident" and "The Act." She absolutely loved her "fur kids" as she fondly referred to them and was a friend to anyone that ever met her. Julia firmly believed that all people that are deaf and hard of hearing deserve equal access and she made it a mission to reaching and teaching as many people as she could to help meet her goal. Julia passed away peacefully on June 8, 2022 after a 2 year battle with cancer. We at I Love Learning ASL will forever be grateful for her dedication and love to American Sign Language and for the friendships we all had with her. She will always be remembered and held close in our hearts. When we lift our hands to sign and teach others we will continue to carry on Julia's mission of teaching others in the effort for all people of all hearing abilities to have equal access. RIP Julia - we will never forget you.
Julia was involved with ASL for over 20 years, both as a student of the language, and as a facilitator in our ASL practice sessions and our fundamental/beginner courses. She was also the original webmaster for this website and was the true inspiration for I Love Learning ASL to go completely online when Covid hit in early 2020. She didn't want to see our hard work take a back seat when the world shut down so she used her innovated ways of thinking to help Angela launch I Love Learning ASL and form it into what it is today. She collaborated with her Deaf teacher (in California) on a classroom textbook ("Conversational Signing"), and continued to practice ASL whenever possible. Pre-Covid she ran our our adult- level ASL Club in person in Douglasville, GA and facilitated our original online practice sessions, where students practice fingerspelling, sign receptivity, conversational phrases, and other components of the language. Julia was an actress as well as an ASL teacher and was recently seen in the television shows, "The Resident" and "The Act." She absolutely loved her "fur kids" as she fondly referred to them and was a friend to anyone that ever met her. Julia firmly believed that all people that are deaf and hard of hearing deserve equal access and she made it a mission to reaching and teaching as many people as she could to help meet her goal. Julia passed away peacefully on June 8, 2022 after a 2 year battle with cancer. We at I Love Learning ASL will forever be grateful for her dedication and love to American Sign Language and for the friendships we all had with her. She will always be remembered and held close in our hearts. When we lift our hands to sign and teach others we will continue to carry on Julia's mission of teaching others in the effort for all people of all hearing abilities to have equal access. RIP Julia - we will never forget you.
