American Sign Language

Mr. John Borkowski holds a master’s degree in Deaf Secondary Education from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY. He is originally from Buffalo, NY, where he attended St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. Upon high school graduation, he attended Gallaudet University and obtained his Bachelor of Art (BA) majoring in prelaw. He worked as a computer specialist for the U.S. Government before returning to the teaching field. John started his career as a professional K-12 educator. His experience as a secondary social studies teacher spanned over five different deaf schools in New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and DC. John’s first experience in teaching ASL was as a tutor in the Interpreting program at RIT when he was a graduate student. After graduation, he started teaching introductory ASL in the deaf community and local colleges in Indiana such as Ball State University and Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). He then taught various intermediate ASL level courses, including the linguistics, culture, and historical aspects of the Deaf Community. As an ASL coordinator for Purdue University, John Borkowski aims to connect people who are interested in learning about the Deaf World, community and culture.

Ready to dive into American Sign Language and connect with the Deaf community in a meaningful, empowering way? Learn from Dan Foley, a Deaf ASL educator with 20 years of teaching experience and a passion that inspires every student who enters his classroom. Dan brings a rich, authentic background to his teaching. He has spent over a decade working in K–12 schools for the Deaf and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Gallaudet University, Northern Virginia Community College, Holy Cross, and Anne Arundel Community College. He graduated from Gallaudet University with a major in ASL and a minor in Deaf Studies and later earned a degree in Deaf Education from Boston University. Originally from Massachusetts, Dan attended Clarke School for the Deaf and later Model Secondary School for the Deaf, where his love for ASL teaching truly began. Dan’s classes are more than lessons—they are cultural experiences led by someone who truly represents the language, culture, and community. Whether you’re learning ASL for work, communication, or personal growth, this is your chance to learn from an expert who teaches with clarity, warmth, and authenticity.

Cameron Baer proudly comes from a third-generation Deaf family, with American Sign Language as his first language. He is a graduate of Gallaudet University, the world’s only Deaf university, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Recreation. Cameron also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching American Sign Language from the University of Northern Colorado. Cameron has experience teaching ASL levels 1–5 in in-person, online, and asynchronous formats. He has taught in university ASL programs at the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and the University of Northern Colorado, and teaches community ASL courses through the University of Denver. He is passionate about engaging and building meaningful connections with new ASL learners, supporting them in becoming confident and effective signers, and encouraging them to be active allies of the Deaf community and culture. Cameron is committed to creating inclusive, accessible learning environments that center Deaf perspectives and lived experiences.