March 19th: #DWCOverlookedGems

Video Transcript:
Hello
My name is Lisa Montalvo
I am honored to be part of this Deaf Women of Color Overlook Gem this year.
I identify myself as a Puerto Rican Woman. I have worked at Model Secondary School for the Deaf as a school Counselor for 13 years. It has always been a rewarding experience to work with varieties of students from all over to MSSD.  This year since Pandemic, it has been challenging but rewarding experiences because we set up to work with a fabulous team of people in making multicultural events for both KDES and MSSD. Our goal is for our students to recognize different cultures, heritage months and gather different guest speakers, panelists, events that allow us to learn and many more. We will continue to do more to teach students to learn and our goal is for our students to leave after graduation by knowing who they are and their intersectionality.

This led to a poster that I have in my office that I have not been to over a year since Pandemic. I missed my office. There's a poster in my office with a picture of a MAP. I wrote on the map “Embrace your journey”.  Everyday we learn about ourselves  and we never stop learning . Keep learning more by always embracing ourselves, our intersectionality and our background. How you can share with your community and people that you do not know. You are YOU. Embrace yourself.  Be proud of yourself. This month is Women History Month. Be proud to be a woman, not just women but as a BIPOC, and/or  Deaf Women of color. Thank you.