Deaf or Hard of Hearing Services

Students with hearing impairments are most often served in their local school districts by a staff of deaf educators and educational interpreters. The deaf educators and interpreters work as part of the local school team with other special educators and classroom teachers. ESU 9 employs 3 deaf educators and 4 interpreters. The program coordinator is Heather Witte.
For more details on each area of service, click on one of the tabs shown below:
- Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Educational Sign Language Interpreter
- Central Western NE Partnership)
Other Related Links
- Central Western Nebraska Partnership
- Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
- Nebraska Regional Programs for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
Pictured from left to right: Zach High, Cindy Koch, & Lori Niederklein
Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
ESU 9 Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TODHH) serve deaf or hard of hearing students ages birth to 21 in home-based, early childhood, general education, special education and transition settings. A TODHH works as part of a team and is responsible for identifying programming needs for students with a hearing loss. The teachers serve as a resource to all team members including parents, instructional and support staff, and students to provide unique information on the impact of a hearing loss on language, communication, academic and functional skill development
Services Provided:
A Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing typically provides direct instructional support in areas directly impacted by a hearing loss such as: listening, communication, language, vocabulary, reading readiness skill development, and self advocacy. Indirect services include providing staff development and consultation to teachers, interpreters/transliterators/transcribers, parents and other staff; ensuring adequate and appropriate access to classroom information, including access to captioned media; supporting the maintenance of amplification equipment; advising on environmental adaptations; monitoring students’ functioning in the school setting; supporting parents in communication system decisions and development; and assisting students and families with community resources related to hearing loss.
TODHH assist with Tier 2 and Tier 3 in the NeMTSS system.

How the TODHH connects into your school

Educational Sign Language Interpreters
Pictured from left to right: Kathy Hansen, Brittany Henderson, Joelle Tesar, & José Torres
Sign Language Interpreters are responsible for facilitating communication and bridging the communication barrier between students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and hearing individuals in the educational setting. ESU 9 Interpreters meet the Nebraska Rule 51 guidelines.
How Sign Language Interpreters connect into your school

Interpreters assist with all Tiers in the NeMTSS system.
Educational Sign Language Facilitator

Kyla Lovejoy
Sign Language Facilitators are responsible for facilitating communication and bridging the communication barrier between students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and hearing individuals in the educational setting. ESU 9 Interpreters meet the Nebraska Rule 51 guidelines.
How Sign Language Facilitators connect into your school

Interpreters assist with all Tiers in the NeMTSS system.

CWNP Coordinators
Heather Witte, CWNP Coordinator – ESU 9
Sara Peterson, CWNP Coordinator – ESU 13
For more information and details, visit the Central Western Nebraska Partnership (CWNP) for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing website.
Contact Information
Heather Witte, Coordinator Educational Service Unit 9 5807 Osborne Drive West Hastings, NE 68901 Email: heather.witte@esu9.us Office: (402) 463-5611 FAX: (402)463-9555 |
Sara Peterson, CWNP Coordinator Educational Service Unit 13 4215 Ave I Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Email: speterson@esu13.org Office: (308) 635-3696 FAX: (308) 635-0680 |
Region 9 Liaison

Sue Czaplewski
For more information and details, visit the Nebraska Regional Programs for Deaf or Hard of Hearing website.
Contact Information
Sue Czaplewski Liaison to Nebraska Department of Education Educational Service Unit 9 5807 Osborne Drive West Hastings, NE 68901 402-463-5611 sue.czaplewski@esu9.us |
Teresa Coonts Director of Autism & Low Incidence Disabilities Nebraska Dept. of Education Office of Special Education 301 Centennial Mall, PO Box 94987 Lincoln, NE 68509 PH: 402.471-4310 teresa.coonts@nebraska.gov |