Michael Tansey’s classroom is full of lively discussion and interactive presentations. But, unlike other classrooms, it’s quiet most of the time. Tansey teaches American sign language at the Plant City and Dale Mabry Hillsborough Community College campuses.
He knows it well, because it’s a language he uses every day. Tansey is deaf.
“I hear a little, but when I sign, I get more,” Tansey said. “It fills in the gaps.”
Tansey was born in Mexico City. His father worked for Pillsbury. No one knows whether he was born hard of hearing. But, they suspect it might have been German measles that affected his sense. His family moved to Guam, back to Mexico, then came back to the United States. Through his travels, he was able to soak up different cultures.
“It was very interesting,” Tansey said. “I learned the culture, I learned Spanish.”
He lived in Miami until going off to college in North Carolina.
“In high school, people thought I was crazy, because I wanted to take Spanish and wanted to go to college,” Tansey said. “I was one of the few deaf students to get a diploma.”
He got perfect attendance, too. But, it wasn’t until college that he learned sign language. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he worked for five years for an insurance company. When he decided to go back to school, he worked part-time at the insurance company. He went on to get his master’s degree in educational computer technology.
“I like to integrate technology in my classroom,” Tansey said.
Tansey didn’t immediately go into teaching. He worked at a deaf service center where he helped train deaf people on job skills. There, he met people who were proficient in signing.
In 2006, he made teaching his full focus, working at Miami Dade College.
After leaving Miami, Tansey came to Tampa to be closer to family. He came to HCC in fall 2013.
“I like challenging students’ perspective,” Tansey said. “But I don’t expect all the students to be fluent. I tell them it’s like Spanish or French. You have to take time at it, but I tell them not to give up.”
Tansey is one of four deaf instructors this year at the college. He teaches at the Plant City campus Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“He’s been a great teacher,” said Linda Horton, the program manager for the sign language interpreting program. “The student evaluations have been very good. He’s been a great addition to the school.”
Horton said having deaf instructors benefits the students.
“They love learning the language from people who us it, speak it in life,” Horton said. “We like to have them.”
And on the flip side, Tansey has students who are hard of hearing. He even has a student with cerebral palsy. The disease affects range of motion for those who have it. But, Tansey said the student is excelling at learning and making all of the signs.
Tansey teaches not only sign language but also its culture. He uses fun games like “I Spy” to learn basics such as colors.
“It try to be the best I can be,” Tansey said. “I know I’m not perfect, but I want the students to get the best of me, not the worst. I have to make sure I teach the right way.”