For aspiring teachers and educators, we bring you the story of Will Taffe. Working for KFC may have been his first job before majoring in IT Security, but it was in teaching that Will found true purpose. He now teaches Auslan to a variety of learners from the young to the elderly, from hearing people to those who are deaf or hard of hearing, from parents to kids and teens.
For aspiring teachers and educators, we bring you the story of Will Taffe. Working for KFC may have been his first job before majoring in IT Security, but it was in teaching that Will found true purpose. He now teaches Auslan to a variety of learners from the young to the elderly, from hearing people to those who are deaf or hard of hearing, from parents to kids and teens. Considered a gifted teacher, role model, and mentor, Will shares his personal story of why education and language are ways for him to pay it forward.
If you were to dress up in a HERO costume who would it be and why? I would choose Deadpool. I loved the first movie and I think Ryan Reynolds is super funny.
What is your current Deaf/ Hearing identity? I identify as Deaf.
When was your Deafness identified? My Deafness was identified early on, about 6 months in, so you could say the diagnosis fell on ‘deaf ears’. It was not an easy journey for my parents and siblings.
How did the diagnosis impact them? Initially, it was a shock, a life-changing event. Like most hearing parents, with a baby born deaf, they were unsure what to do. Eventually, they did the legwork and worked out a plan to raise a Deaf child. In time, they understood that although I couldn’t hear, I could still do everything else. My parents did not only talk with professionals, they also talked with the Deaf community to navigate the best path forward.
What role did language play in your communication journey? My parents and my siblings learned Auslan to be able to communicate with me. I am very thankful for this because family members are the people children typically spend most of their time with. I was no different.
Sign language helped me to communicate effectively in a way I couldn’t fully achieve with spoken language. Learning to talk and listen was not easy but I absorbed Auslan as fast as a hearing child absorbs spoken language.
What was your school experience like? I lived in a rural area which made it difficult to have access to language compared to those living in the city. I was extremely lucky to have an Auslan interpreter in the region. Without interpreters, I would have moved away (possibly separated from my family) or missed out on good quality education. I’m eternally grateful for all the interpreters in my life. School isn’t always easy as a signing Deaf person but for me, I was again fortunate that my school provided Auslan classes, so, many children could fingerspell in Auslan. I have a group of mates from prep/grade 1, that are still my mates to this day.
How has being deaf enhanced your life? As a teacher with experience working in primary schools in a LOTE program, I’ve been placed in a unique position with kids who may have communication barriers such as children with speech apraxia, born with CHARGE syndrome, or Deaf children, that blossom with the use of Auslan.
There are times where I become a role model for young deaf children and their parents. It is one of my many passions to show that Auslan and being part of the Deaf community is a truly fantastic thing for Deaf children.
I want to pay it forward to young Deaf children, for all the deaf role models and support I’ve had in my life.
The HEARO Team often talks about the “Yes, I can!” moment when we overcome an obstacle or achieve something that might have seemed impossible before. Do you have a moment like that to share with us? I had always wanted to travel overseas for as long as I could remember. I recall getting the ‘travel bug’ after my brother went to France. One of the things that held me back was feeling that as a Deaf person I would be vulnerable in unfamiliar situations and places.
A few years ago I took the brave step of going to Thailand and the strangest thing happened. Communication was so much easier as I was perceived to be a foreigner like so many other people. The locals were very animated and visual, using lots of gestures, which made it easier to communicate than in Australia! As a Deaf person, I’ve used visual communication my entire life so I was born for it! After that, I felt I could travel the world with communication barriers as something that can be overcome.
Do you have a favourite quote? Carpe Diem – Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary. Dead Poets Society (1989).
What have been highlights in your life so far? Being engaged to a wonderful woman. Landing on a career that I am passionate about. Buying an apartment. Having Leo, our rascal of a puppy, join our family.
Looking ahead, what are your dreams for the future? I dream of having children one day, who grow up in a world where Auslan is accessible and taught in all schools.
As a milestone and for experience, I would love to one day teach in a mainstream school with an interpreter on general subjects to hearing children.
Is there one more thing you’d like to share with a young person who is deaf or hard of hearing? I would say the same thing I would tell my younger self – be brave. Grab every opportunity.