JMS

 The goal of USDB’s Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS) is to provide the best linguistic, curricular and cultural education for students through an ASL/English Bilingual Program. American Sign Language (ASL) and written English are used for instruction and interaction. Both ASL and English are viewed as languages of equal importance. Teachers/staff use ASL to instruct and communicate directly with their students on a daily basis.

Visual Linguistic Environment: Students are in an environment that allows them to be fully immersed in a visual language. Visual language is accessible in the hallways, in the cafeteria and elsewhere, allowing the students to receive input from a variety of means in a variety of settings.

English Development: English literacy is the ultimate goal. ASL is used as a visual and fully accessible means to expose students to written English.  English (in written form) is continuously introduced and accessible to build students’ English vocabulary. English concepts are presented alongside their ASL equivalents consistently. First language (ASL) acquisition enables students’ to grasp more complex concepts in their second language (English).

Spoken English: As an important component of learning English, Spoken English, speech, and lip-reading is offered at JMS as a related service through the IEP process and taught as a skill separate from classroom instruction. Emphasis is placed as speech being a skill that will aid in the students’ communication with hearing society.

Curriculum: The Utah State Core Curriculum is used as the guide for student instruction. Using ASL permits instruction of all the required core curriculum subjects at grade level.

Self Identity: The JMS learning environment is designed to assist students in developing a positive identity as a Deaf or hard-of-hearing individual.  The goal of JMS is for students to be productive members in both the deaf and hearing communities.

Feel free to browse our website or contact me with questions, comments, or to request more information. We are here to offer support, guidance, and expert advice. As the JMS Educational Director, I am your advocate as you explore the educational choices and programs available to your child. I look forward to speaking with you!

Jean Massieu School of the Deaf

Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind

1655 East 3300 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Michelle Tanner

Program Director 

Email: michellet@usdb.org
  Phone: 801 464 2086
Video Phone: 801 903 2831

Office Phone (voice): 801 464 2003

Office Fax: 801 464 2004