[VIDEO DESC & TRANSCRIPT: Scott is seated in front of classroom whiteboard. The NAD logo is at the bottom right corner.
SCOTT: I wanted to go to Kansas University (KU) to major in Meteorology so I could be a weatherman. Growing up, I loved chasing the storms, tracking tornadoes, and such. I decided to put KU on a hold and go to Gallaudet University. My parents are deaf, I come from a deaf family, and my parents met at Gallaudet University actually. They married, had me and my two brothers. So, because of my parents, I was curious about Gallaudet University and decided to go there. When I got this job here at the school, I got very involved with the academic bowl team — it’ll be 15 years this fall! I started getting involved with the Kansas Association of the Deaf (KAD), LEAD-K, the Superintendent Search — well, really, the main reason how I first got super involved is because of my own deaf kids. It was then that I decided to put my meteorology dream on hold. Kansas is not perfect, I mean some families moved out of state for their kids to go to bigger schools but not me and not my family. I joined KAD and took legislative training — so, that’s how I really got into changing things for the better!
Black and white clip of Scott teaching at the front of his classroom. In the center, a white border surrounds white text “SCOTT” underneath, appears in white text “TEACHER.”
SCOTT: Hello! My name is Scott Plummer, I’m a Math and Deaf Studies teacher at the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) in Olathe, Kansas.
Black and white clip of Scott trying to get answers from his students while pointing at a projected powerpoint.
SCOTT: I’ve been going to KSD since I was 5 years old! In high school, I was very involved with Jr. NAD and Student Body Council (instead of Student Body Government). I was president and also had other officer positions. I even went to regional and national Jr. NAD Conferences. I really enjoyed it! When I graduated, I went to Gallaudet University. I planned to transfer to KU after I got a BA from Gallaudet University because there was no meteorology program there. I wanted to experience Gallaudet University because of my heritage, my parents went there and so on. But then I ended up staying at Gallaudet University, I was incredibly happy there. I graduated with a degree in Chemistry and minored in math — I figured that would still apply to meteorology anyway. I decided to go to University of Maryland for my graduate degree in meteorology. At that point — I dropped my plans to go to KU. I realized I really enjoyed being on the east coast. Eventually, I graduated with a master’s degree in meteorology from University of Maryland. I moved back to Kansas and hoped to find a meteorology job but had no luck — I decided to be a substitute teacher at KSD in the meantime. I kept applying but I learned the jobs here were extremely competitive! KSD’s Superintendent encouraged me to apply for their math teaching position but told me I’d have to go back to school. I did, then I applied for the job and became a math teacher! I was still keeping an eye out for a meteorology job but then KSD asked me to go back to school for Deaf Education — that brings my total to five degrees, imagine that!
Black and white clip of Scott teaching a class.
SCOTT: Do I still dream of being a meteorologist? You bet! I told myself I’ll look later after my kids are grown. For right now though, I share weather alerts through a Facebook group on the side. I mean hey, who knows, maybe the Daily Moth will need a weatherman!
Black and white close up of Scott’s hand writing on the whiteboard.
SCOTT: Why do I get up in the mornings? For my students! They’re always hungry for information, it’s amazing. I’m always excited. I don’t limit my math or deaf studies classes to just math or deaf studies information — I throw as much information as I can! The students always ask me for more. I really enjoy it! They’re like my kids!
Black and white clip of Scott writing on the whiteboard.
SCOTT: There are students who get straight A’s, a 4.0 GPA, and have a high IQ. People assume those students will be more successful compared to other students who are involved in sports, academic bowl, leadership and such. Students should have both kinds of experiences! A lot of that contributes to the deaf student as a whole.
Black and white clip of the whiteboard as Scott is on the right of the screen unfocused signing to his students. White text appears at the bottom center, “There were a lot of things I wish teachers told me when I was young, so I try to tell my students everything. Just seeing their faces light up means the world to me. They always come back to visit and tell me, “You were right.” I tell you, working with kids is rewarding.” Light blue text “- Scott” and a light blue line outlines the left side of the text.
SCOTT: Your journey will improve when you adjust your dreams — sometimes shadowing someone at a job doing an internship helps! Get a taste of everything as much as you can then you will know what you want to do. If people tell you what they think fits you, sometimes they see something you don’t see and from there, you’ll be able to figure out what you want. Some people can just tell what career fits based on who you are and sometimes it’s the right fit!
Black and white clip of Scott wiping away the whiteboard.
SCOTT: For people who feel like they’re hitting a wall and feel stuck, go back to school! You can look for programs that offer scholarships or waive tuition. Or ask your Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to cover your school expenses. If you like in some states, like Texas, live there for at least six months and you get a college degree for free, take advantage of it! Some states have grants to pay for college. Going back to school is the answer, I mean look at me and my five degrees! Don’t say the system failed us, take it upon yourself and get back to school for your career change.
Black and white clip of Scott working on his computer.
SCOTT: For those who want to become a teacher, you must have the heart of a teacher! That’s the number one rule. If you enjoy teaching and socializing with people, you might be a good fit. And after you graduate, go back to your home state! Please contribute back to your community!
Black and white shot of Scott at the front of the classroom signing. Video cuts to a dark blue background. Red alphabet letters of “N-A-D” in American Sign Language appear one by one in the center of the video. The copyright text appears in white underneath, “National Association of the Deaf, Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved”.]