Ellen Scheivert

S&E POW
Academic Year 2015-2016
During this year, I will:
Provide interpreting services to the RIT community in all content
areas within the core team and limited assignments outside the
core team area
o Interpret in moderately paced lectures demonstrating good
understanding of theory and practice of interpreting; able
to interpret comments and questions of deaf students
adequately
o Assess language needs of all consumers and adjust
interpreting to ensure accurate interpretation
o Schedule an observation by my manager
Perform duties that aid in the provision of high quality service
including preparation, consumer relations, and professional
development
o Confer with consumers, preview available materials, and
research additional resources to prepare for assignments
o Maintain effective communication with consumers,
operations staff, and colleagues regarding the provision of
service; confirm all assignments to consumers
Add working on wings better biomechanics when standing and sitting (SJ in reaction
engineering)
Add get rid of overusing the sign itself when not needed (SJ in reaction engineering)
Fingerspell clearly when rushed for time, when long word, when unsure of spelling, when
tough concept (Erica in bio, spring)
Provision of Interpreting Services
Goal: Develop understanding of concepts in Biology, and work on
showing more of the concepts rather than telling about them
Method: I will interpret a Biology class with Erika Vzquez, and she will
teach me concepts and ways to sign them.
Metric 1: I will keep a log of concepts that I learn.
Metric 2: I will ask Erika to provide feedback on my process of transitioning
to showing rather than telling.
Goal: develop understanding of concepts in Fluid Mechanics, and work on
showing more of the concepts rather than telling about them
Method: I will interpret a Fluid Mechanics class with Deb Cooper, and she

will teach me concepts and ways to sign them.

Metric 1: I will keep a log of concepts that I learn.
Metric 2: I will ask Deb to provide feedback on my process of transitioning
to showing rather than telling.
Professional Growth
Goal: use prosody appropriately and correctly in my English-ASL
interpretations
Method: I will take the source message processing IST with Kathy Gillies.
Metric: I will videotape my interpreting throughout the year and review the
work with colleagues to look for improvement that has occurred and for
improvement that is still needed.
Goal: stop over-using the listing feature
Method: I will videotape myself working in various environments, and
review my work counting the number of times I correctly and incorrectly use
the listing feature, and also count the times that I substitute other more
appropriate features of ASL to show a non-important list.
Metric: I will compare my counts over time to assure that my appropriate
uses of listing are maintained, and inappropriate uses of listing are
diminishing.
Goal: Work towards obtaining my MS in human resource development and
apply the concepts from class to my daily job functions.
Method: I will take two Masters courses per semester.
Metric: I will receive credit for completing each course and continually be
closer to obtaining my degree.
Goal: Become more up-to-date with local, national, and global issues.
Method: Listen to NPR podcasts on a reoccurring basis.
Metric: I will be able to intelligently discuss and interpret about current
topics in the news.
Goal: reduce wrist deviations in order to become more biomechanically
safe
Method: Videotape myself working in various environments and review my
work counting the number of times I use inappropriate wrist deviations.
Also consciously focus on not deviating my wrists while actively
interpreting.
Metric: Measure the number of times that I produce wrist deviations. The
number should decrease over time and will be evidenced in my recorded
work.
Goal: Create a lower-risk working style.

Method: Take an increased number of micro-rest breaks.

Metric: Videotape myself interpreting and count the number of times that I
miss an opportunity to take a micro-rest break. The number of missed
opportunities should decrease over time.
Professional Commitment
Goal: Create a portfolio of my work.
Method: Tape myself monthly and in different ongoing classes.
Metric: I will have a collection of my work, and other documentation, that I
can use in order to evaluate my work and also allow others to evaluate my
work.
Goal: Prepare for classes using Academic Earth.
Method: Spend time during my prep hours selecting videos that relate to
my current courses and our core team and actively listen to the content in
the lectures.
Metric: Keep a list of lectures that I have used to prep.
Collaboration
Goal: Have student and apprentice interpreters observe my work and
discuss the observation afterwards.
Method: Agree to allow other interpreters to observe my work as long as
they are willing to discuss the work after the observation.
Metric: Keep a log of observers.
Goal: Help with projects related to core team and the department as
needed.
Method: Volunteer to participate in different projects and committees when
they are brought to my attention.
Metric: Keep a log of projects and different activities that I have
contributed to.
Goal: contribute to the positive working interactions within the
department.
Method: Strike up and participate in thought provoking discussions
regarding ways in which we can improve department processes, procedures,
professionalism, and morale.
Metric: