Can I leave early?

You team the last period of a high school class. You are the 2nd team on and half way through class you come in to relieve your team. After the team leaves your student signs, “You can leave. There is nothing happening today.”

Would the following circumstances inform your decision:
1. The student never pays attention and you feel that is disrespectful.
2. They are doing group work and you know the student communicates well with his group.
3. You want to get some shopping done on your way home and would like to leave early.
4. You have nothing else to do and are paid to stay.

Consider the situation with the above variables. What would be the ethical options? What are the practical options. What would you do?

You can leave

1.       You team the last period of a high school class.  You are the 2^nd team on and half way through class you come in to relieve your team.  After the team leaves your student signs, “You can leave.  There is nothing happening today.”

A few minutes in the life of a Sign Language Interpreter

After getting a chuckle out of the video--who hasn't been there--think about the interpreters responses. Yes, we would all like to be a bit snarky sometimes. What we need to be is respectful. Have fun. Enjoy your job. Smile. Heck, crack a joke. But remain kind and professional.

OMG! I've gone viral on You Tube!!!

What do you do if your interpretation of a song is recorded and posted on You Tube? Or, as in this case, you post your final on You Tube.






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJKA8us6k4k&feature=player_embedded#!

• What are the short term consequences?
• What are the long term consequences?
• If everyone did this, how would that effect the interpreting profession?
  

Coffee or Science?

You interpret in a high school on-going. During earth science you have a team as the material is difficult and the teacher lectures the entire period. Yet today—and about once a week—the students copy questions from the board and work on their own. Your team suggests, since neither of you are “working” you go out to buy your much needed coffee.

*Is it ok to leave during your scheduled interpreting time? Its possible you return the favor next week. And you’ll be back well before the next period.

*What are the professional consequences?

*What are the short and long term consequences?

*What pattern are you establishing for other interpreters in your high school?

Get a Room!

Its Friday. Its the last period of a long week interpreting high school. The students--hearing and Deaf--have basically tuned out. No one is actually doing work but because no one is being loud or obnoxious, the teacher is fine with the apathy.

You, because there is no lecture and no interpreting, open a book. When you look up to check on your student, you notice he is swapping slobber with his girlfriend. They aren't pecking and batting eyes at each other; they need a room!

You decide there is no need to witness the makeout session, so you return to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing office. Of course, you gossip to the other interpreters what happened (maybe you shouldn't have told everyone, but hey, you all work together). One of the interpreters suggested you should have interpreted what they were doing. You say, "Slurp, slurp slurp."

Later you wonder if you should have pointed out to the teacher the R-rated scene that was unfolding in her classroom.

• What are options you have in that situation?
• Should you stay/go?
• What are the short- long- term consequences?

You interpret, with a team, a 4-hour, college level economics class. The professor's accent is difficult to understand so you and your team rely on each other quite a bit. One day, your team arrives hungry and suggests that instead of teaming 20/20, today you should team 30/30 so she has time to go get a bite to eat.

Keep in mind:

• You enjoy working with your team an up to this point have had no issues.
• You are concerned about interpreting accurately because of the professor's accent coupled with the heavy content.
• You are hungry and wouldn't mind a 30 minute break to grab a bite.

What are your ethical concerns?

• Would you agree to the 30/30 split? If so, why? If no, why not?
• What Codes of Professional Conduct would you keep in mind?
• How will you continue a working relationship with your team?