About Us
Bill White
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Kathleen Harper
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Sign Language Instructors
Teri Voorhes - Program Manager
Teri Voorhes, Touch Blue Sky's program manager, has been a baby sign language instructor for many years. She began using American Sign Language after her son Robert was born with Down Syndrome. She was advised to use this with Robert as a baby as his verbal speech would be delayed. The first time Robert signed “more” “music”at his Early Intervention class she was hooked. Robert is a Senior in High School and still uses ASL to finger spell words he can't enunciate.
Teri has continued her education in American Sign Language and has been teaching in her sons school since 2005. She has had great success with spreading the magic of Sign Language through presentations at Ability Awareness Day, teaching songs to classes to perform at assemblies and general classroom instruction. In 2011 Teri became an Advanced Signing Time Instructor and began teaching in an After School Program and Baby Sign classes throughout the community. She has presented at many Special Needs conferences throughout the Bay Area.
Before the arrival of her two sons Teri enjoyed working as a Senior Manager of Store Technologies for Gap,Inc. She also received her Professional Designation Certificate from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
Teri is very excited to be a part of the Touch Blue Sky network of ASL Instructors and to reach out to as many parents and babies as possible sharing the power of Sign.
Teri has continued her education in American Sign Language and has been teaching in her sons school since 2005. She has had great success with spreading the magic of Sign Language through presentations at Ability Awareness Day, teaching songs to classes to perform at assemblies and general classroom instruction. In 2011 Teri became an Advanced Signing Time Instructor and began teaching in an After School Program and Baby Sign classes throughout the community. She has presented at many Special Needs conferences throughout the Bay Area.
Before the arrival of her two sons Teri enjoyed working as a Senior Manager of Store Technologies for Gap,Inc. She also received her Professional Designation Certificate from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
Teri is very excited to be a part of the Touch Blue Sky network of ASL Instructors and to reach out to as many parents and babies as possible sharing the power of Sign.
Erika Vetter
Erika Vetter fell in love with sign language in her childhood, when she befriended a Deaf girl in her Brownie Scout troop. This friendship continued for many years and led her to volunteer in the hard-of-hearing preschool during recess when she was still in elementary school. Erika received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology with Teacher Certification at Elmira College. She earned her Master's Degree as a Teacher for the Deaf for grades K-12 from Canisius College in upstate New York. Erika has taught both Deaf and hearing children for the past 16 years in schools such as the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and the California School for the Deaf in Fremont and currently works as an educational interpreter and ASL teacher. Erika's thesis on teaching ASL to pre-verbal hearing children, along with her recent coursework in bilingual education, has reinforced her belief that signing with children can produce amazing results. All three of her children started signing between six and seven months old and still sign on a daily basis. Erika delights in seeing her children empowered with a tremendous ability to communicate effectively at a very early age and is eager to share her experience and enthusiasm with you.
Aniko Kovács
Aniko received her degree of Sign Language Interpretation and Translation from University of Eotvos Lorand and worked as a certified sign language interpreter for the Deaf in Hungary. She and her husband moved to California in 2010 and one of the first things she did was to sign up for the American Sign Language class at De Anza College in Cupertino to study the differences between HSL and ASL. She discovered that while some of the signs are similar, a lot of them are very different, but the facial expressions and Deaf cultures are the same in each country.
Aniko and her husband only speak Hungarian and Sign Language with their lovely toddler girl. Nevertheless, Aniko’s daughter picks up many English words and expressions. Baby Sign Language is a perfect bridge to expand and align her vocabulary. She clearly differentiates between the two languages yet readily uses the same sign.
Aniko received her first two Bachelor of Education Degrees in Elementary Education and Drama and Theater Arts from Apor Vilmos Catholic College in Budapest, Hungary. A former radio show host and educator, Aniko is comfortable in front of a big audience and enthusiastic about teaching again. She is excited to reach out to new parents to show them how to bond with their little ones through baby sign language.
Aniko and her husband only speak Hungarian and Sign Language with their lovely toddler girl. Nevertheless, Aniko’s daughter picks up many English words and expressions. Baby Sign Language is a perfect bridge to expand and align her vocabulary. She clearly differentiates between the two languages yet readily uses the same sign.
Aniko received her first two Bachelor of Education Degrees in Elementary Education and Drama and Theater Arts from Apor Vilmos Catholic College in Budapest, Hungary. A former radio show host and educator, Aniko is comfortable in front of a big audience and enthusiastic about teaching again. She is excited to reach out to new parents to show them how to bond with their little ones through baby sign language.
Cate Flynn
Cate Flynn earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Speech Pathology from University of the Pacific. She then went on to earn a certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Cate has worked with deaf and hard of hearing people of all ages from being a preschool teacher to a college counselor. Cate spent two summers taking classes at Gallaudet University, the world's only university with programs and services specifically designed to accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and continues to work towards her goal of becoming an Educational Interpreter for the Deaf.
In her spare time, Cate enjoys being an Auntie and teaching American Sign Language to her six nephews, and exploring new running trails around San Francisco.
In her spare time, Cate enjoys being an Auntie and teaching American Sign Language to her six nephews, and exploring new running trails around San Francisco.
Courtney Laschkewitsch
Courtney has a strong passion for American Sign Language because when she was young, she became hard-of-hearing for about 3 years. This gave her a glimpse of the deaf world at a young age, what it was like to communicate, and the passion to share and teach American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. She is working towards her Bachelor's in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. Her aspirations include interpreting and teaching sign language in 3rd world countries, becoming a photojournalist, and giving motivational/inspirational speeches around the world. Courtney is ambitious, organized, and loves to add her own creative style to her classes.
Other than teaching and tutoring students in American Sign Language, Courtney also teaches STEM classes to kids in a variety of topics and has her own startup company. In her free time, she loves to travel, does cat photography for the Santa Cruz SPCA, and loves dipping her feet into new and exciting activities including surfing, stilt walking, and aerial gymnastics.
She can’t wait to change the world, one sign at a time.
Other than teaching and tutoring students in American Sign Language, Courtney also teaches STEM classes to kids in a variety of topics and has her own startup company. In her free time, she loves to travel, does cat photography for the Santa Cruz SPCA, and loves dipping her feet into new and exciting activities including surfing, stilt walking, and aerial gymnastics.
She can’t wait to change the world, one sign at a time.
Heidi Locicero
Heidi Locicero has spent most of her professional career working with children. She worked with youth and managed family programs at several YMCA's including residence and day camps. She also participated for 8 years on a Board of Managers at a small educational YMCA that provided academic and social education using the Socratic Method for school-aged children.
Heidi first discovered American Sign Language in preschool through a classmate. Heidi and her daughter took Touch Blue Sky's Baby Sign Language program and Heidi was amazed at how early her daughter communicated. Heidi has a form of dyslexia and she wanted to provide her daughter with more opportunities to communicate than just spoken word. With sign language, her daughter knows how words sound look and feel. Heidi has watched the transformation from frustration to joy in her daughter's eyes and body as communication took place at 10 months when she started signing. Heidi is very excited about signing as a way to combine her natural kinesthetic nature with her love of working with children.
Heidi first discovered American Sign Language in preschool through a classmate. Heidi and her daughter took Touch Blue Sky's Baby Sign Language program and Heidi was amazed at how early her daughter communicated. Heidi has a form of dyslexia and she wanted to provide her daughter with more opportunities to communicate than just spoken word. With sign language, her daughter knows how words sound look and feel. Heidi has watched the transformation from frustration to joy in her daughter's eyes and body as communication took place at 10 months when she started signing. Heidi is very excited about signing as a way to combine her natural kinesthetic nature with her love of working with children.
Robin Hansen
Robin grew up with an interest in American Sign Language and loved learning new signs from a couple books, but never pursued formal ASL classes until after college. After finishing graduate school and searching for a job, she finally took her first ASL class. In the intro chapter of that class' textbook, the various reasons for studying ASL were laid out; communicating with your baby were listed among the reasons. She filed that away in her brain as an interesting reason, wanting to remember this for when she and her husband did eventually have children. Little did she know, their daughter would be born with genetic hearing loss. As soon as their daughter was diagnosed as a newborn, Robin and her husband knew that ASL would absolutely become a big part of their lives. They took all the classes offered by Touch Blue Sky and starting signing with their daughter. The response was incredible! Robin enjoys teaching and sharing knowledge with those around her who are passionate about learning, and wants to bring ASL to life for parents of little ones.
Samantha Garcia
Samantha Garcia’s first experience with American Sign Language was in 2009 when she babysat an infant cousin, who already knew baby signs. Samantha was amazed to learn how much her pre-verbal cousin could communicate and this ignited Samantha’s passion for sign language. Samantha took ASL classes at Cabrillo College, where she received two AA degrees, and she also attends local Deaf events to help expand her signing vocabulary and general knowledge of the vast Deaf culture. Samantha will continue her studies toward her dream job of teaching kindergarten while she attends California State University Monterey Bay.
When she’s not in school or at Deaf events she can be found gardening; Samantha plants an annual vegetable garden, grows a plethora of flowers, and has a strong fondness for bonsai. She also enjoys baking: her favorite recipe is creme brulee!
Until Samantha started working with Touch Blue Sky she feared her sign language was going to be for social and personal use only and she’s excited to be able to share her signing knowledge with families. Samantha grew up in Santa Cruz County and she is delighted to bring baby sign language to her local community.
When she’s not in school or at Deaf events she can be found gardening; Samantha plants an annual vegetable garden, grows a plethora of flowers, and has a strong fondness for bonsai. She also enjoys baking: her favorite recipe is creme brulee!
Until Samantha started working with Touch Blue Sky she feared her sign language was going to be for social and personal use only and she’s excited to be able to share her signing knowledge with families. Samantha grew up in Santa Cruz County and she is delighted to bring baby sign language to her local community.
Shirene Massarweh
Shirene fell in love with American Sign Language (ASL) while in high school and completely immersed herself within the Deaf community in San Francisco - signing songs at Deaf churches and attending Deaf events. Her passion led her to continue her ASL studies in college and in the Deaf community of Eugene, Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in cultural anthropology.
After graduating, Shirene opened The Blue Fig, a small cafe with her family in San Francisco. When she is not at the cafe or teaching sign language with Touch Blue Sky, Shirene volunteers at Montessori schools and other child care centers around the Bay Area, working with children from ages 18 months to 10 years old. Her interest in language and culture is fueled by growing up in a bilingual household, speaking Arabic and English.
She loves being around people and creating a sense of community wherever she is, whether it's signing to Deaf people from around the world on her many travels or creating a bond with sign language between parents and their children right here at home.
After graduating, Shirene opened The Blue Fig, a small cafe with her family in San Francisco. When she is not at the cafe or teaching sign language with Touch Blue Sky, Shirene volunteers at Montessori schools and other child care centers around the Bay Area, working with children from ages 18 months to 10 years old. Her interest in language and culture is fueled by growing up in a bilingual household, speaking Arabic and English.
She loves being around people and creating a sense of community wherever she is, whether it's signing to Deaf people from around the world on her many travels or creating a bond with sign language between parents and their children right here at home.
Stephanie Franceschi
Stephanie Franceschi is a Bay Area native. She has always loved and been inspired by ASL, even from a young age. She has a couple of family members who are Deaf, which sparked her curiosity for the Deaf culture. She took ASL courses in high school and continues to use sign language throughout her daily life. She is currently working towards her AA degree at Ohlone College to become an American Sign Language Interpreter.
When Stephanie is not teaching baby sign language she enjoys teaching children how to swim at La Petite Baleen. She also worked as a preschool teacher at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center for five years. Stephanie has a love for children and a passion for teaching and watching them grow.
When Stephanie is not teaching baby sign language she enjoys teaching children how to swim at La Petite Baleen. She also worked as a preschool teacher at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center for five years. Stephanie has a love for children and a passion for teaching and watching them grow.
Thais Skondin
Thais earned a Master in Special Education from San Francisco State University with a triple emphasis in Early Childhood, Mild to Moderate Disabilities, and Autism. She also has an Early Childhood Development Program Director Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She received a bachelors degree in psychology with an emphasis in education from the University of California, Davis.
Thais' formal work with children began in 1998. At which time she had the honor to meet, support, and befriend children whose primarily language was ASL. Shortly after, she enrolled in her first ASL course, where she met and became friends with her current husband. It’s easy to say that ASL has made a significant impact on her life.
Currently, she supports families with infants and toddlers facing developmental challenges, many of whom have delays in expressive language. She came to Touch Blue Sky for the opportunity to return to teaching because it is something she loves to do.
Thais' formal work with children began in 1998. At which time she had the honor to meet, support, and befriend children whose primarily language was ASL. Shortly after, she enrolled in her first ASL course, where she met and became friends with her current husband. It’s easy to say that ASL has made a significant impact on her life.
Currently, she supports families with infants and toddlers facing developmental challenges, many of whom have delays in expressive language. She came to Touch Blue Sky for the opportunity to return to teaching because it is something she loves to do.
Vanessa Hecht
Vanessa Hecht has always been fascinated with American Sign Language. In 2009, she was fortunate to work as an Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist for children with autism. When working with non-verbal children, Vanessa learned signs to use with her learners to facilitate conversations with the children’s teachers and families. When Vanessa's son was born in 2013, she was excited to share sign language with her son and began signing when he was just a few months old. Learning sign language, teaching signs to her family, and becoming an instructor has been a rewarding and exciting journey. Even Vanessa’s husband - who was once a skeptic - is just as enthusiastic about signing and has seen how signing has enriched their family’s lives. Vanessa is excited to teach other families how to sign with their little ones and to open up communication in ways that she never thought possible.
