Jennifer silk screening t-shirts

Jennifer silk screening t-shirts

Jennifer Lootens is an Itinerant Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Audiology program.

How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?

I have been with ESD 112 since 2002, I am an Itinerant Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the ESA’s Specialized Student Services. I go to various school districts that are part of the ESA co-op, and others that contract services outside of the co-op. My job is to provide services for students with a hearing loss, provide consult with anyone who works with the student, and their families.

What do you like best about your job?

I really enjoy the people I get to meet in so many parts of the state, and enjoy working with the children that I serve. To be able to help children do the best to their abilities in spite of having a hearing loss. I’m lucky to be able to see some beautiful areas, we live in a very scenic part of the country! I also get the opportunity to follow many students through their educational career at school, being the only Teacher for the Deaf on staff.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Sometimes there are challenges that are going to be an inevitable part of working with children who have multiple disabilities, but the fact that there are resources available, and a collaborative spirit among those that I work with make the challenges less difficult. Over the years, these experiences allow one to learn and grow alongside the students, their family, and school community.

Single? Married? Kids? Pets?

I’m married, with two grown children. My husband, Kurt works for Wells Fargo, daughter Emily works for MESD’s Outdoor School Program in Oregon, son Richard is attending college, and works at the courthouse in Portland. No pets at the moment.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

The things I enjoy are many…I love a good book, to garden, art (photography and silk-screening), and enjoy cooking.

What’s your favorite ESD memory?

I think that the best is seeing people have a good time together when there is a gathering/special event. Plus, the look on Sharon Green’s face when she got the Spirit of ESD award.

If you had to choose to live without one of your five senses, which one would you give up and why?

I might as well share the fact that I already know what it’s like to live without one of the senses. I was born with a profound hearing loss, was fitted with a hearing aid at 10 months, until I was in my late 20’s. Three years after that I received a cochlear implant, which I got in 1989. So, I know what it’s like to be deaf, and enjoy the quiet it brings (noises at night never bother me when sleeping). J

What future events are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to the things I’ll be doing this summer, finishing the landscaping my husband and I are doing in the back yard, going to the beach. Spending three weeks as a resource specialist at a summer camp (which is celebrating its 86th year this summer) doing all the things I love to do, while in the mountains. Spending time with family.

What did you want to be when you were little?

An artist!

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