Staff Spotlight

Paula E. Tucker, Ed.S.

Research Associate, Technology Access Program

I grew up in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. I started my professional career as a high school teacher in a mainstream program for deaf students. It's a thrill for me to run into former students who now work at Gallaudet, and to see other former students doing well professionally.

I have a BS degree in deaf education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, an MA from the National Leadership Training Program at CSUN, and an Ed.S. from Gallaudet in deaf education. I am also an RID certified interpreter.

How long have you worked at Gallaudet? I came to Gallaudet as a graduate student in 1991, fresh off the plane after having lived in Tel Aviv, Israel for 5 years. I worked as a research assistant in the Center for Auditory and Speech Sciences, which was part of the Gallaudet Research Institute back then. I left for 5 years from 1995-1999 to work as a researcher in Los Angeles. I decided I was not a California girl, and drove back to Washington on January 1, 2000, to begin the job I've held since then -- a Research Associate in the Technology Access Program.

What things do you like to do? I am also the director of Gallaudet Hillel -- the organization for Jewish students on campus. I enjoy planning activities for the Gallaudet Jewish community, and especially love sending students to experience Israel for the first time. I love to travel, and visited Iceland for the first time this summer with my niece. I have also recently learned how to bake pies!

Anything you like to share on a positive note about working at Gallaudet? I have learned so much from both my students and my colleagues. Gallaudet gives me the opportunity to be a life-long learner. I hope this is something I can model for my students.