Amy Sanchez-Juarez, formerly known as Amy Frasu Roach, grew up in Tallahassee, FL. She earned her BA in Deaf Education from Flagler College, but already knew interpreting was her true passion. Amy wanted formal academic training in interpreting and was looking to improve her interpretation skills, to learn about research in the field, and to become a nationally certified interpreter. All of these goals (and more) were realized in the Gallaudet MA in Interpretation graduate program.
Amy currently works for Sorenson Communications as the National Assessments Manager. She supports video relay interpreters across the country by leading Sorenson's diagnostic testing for new hires and current employees. The feedback and support provided to each interpreter is based on the strong foundational knowledge Amy learned at Gallaudet.
Amy's graduate research was published in "Translation, Sociolinguistic, and Consumer Issues in Interpreting", the third volume in the Gallaudet Press Studies in Interpretation series. The title was "Use of Space during an English-to-ASL Interpretation When a Visual Aid Is Present".
Amy reflected on how her studies at Gallaudet prepared her for her career and stated, "The readings, discussions, and self-assessment exercises definitely strengthened my work over time. I now am able to share strategies for interpreters to analyze and think about their work in a conscious and deliberate way." Her advice to future graduate interpreting students? "Everyone has different needs, but looking back, I am glad I did not work as an interpreter during the school year when I was in the MAI program. I was able to focus on my learning process and growth, without getting stuck in bad processing vocabulary habits."