Topher González Ávila, M.A.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Master of Sign Language Education, Gallaudet University 2018

Bachelor of Arts, Radio, Television & Film, University of North Texas 2015

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, University of North Texas 2014

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Level IV-Intermediary Certification, Board for Evaluation of Interpreters 2018

Online Instructor, Gallaudet University 2018

Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR), Quality Matters 2018

New to Online: Essentials Part 1, Online Learning Consortium 2017

Court Interpretation, Board for Evaluation of Interpreters 2017

Level III-Intermediary Certification, Board for Evaluation of Interpreters 2016

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Community Interpreter May 2016 – Present

• Interprets for the DeafDisabled, DeafBlind, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

(DDDBDHH) communities.
• Provides close-vision, tactile and Protactile interpretation.
• Facilitates communication in a variety of settings including but not limited to:
general, mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and legal settings.

Freelance Filmmaker May 2015 – Present

• Creates digital content in accordance with the company’s vision.

• Writes scripts to deliver the concept. Films digital content, using digital cameras
(e.g. DSLR cameras).
• Edits digital content, using Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe
Premiere Pro software.

Videographer/Editor, TRUE+WAY ASL Nov. 2018 - Present

• Collaborates with other contractual videographers/editors in delivering digital
educational content.

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 • Creates high quality video works in accordance with the given vision boards and
scripts.
• Collaborates with the team during the development and post-development stages
developing and delivering final products

Adjunct Professor, Gallaudet University Jan. 2018 – Present

• Teaches graduate students in the field of Sign Language Education.

• Collaborated with a colleague, Armando Castro-Osnaya in developing Gallaudet
University’s very first hybrid Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM) course.
• Develops syllabi, learning content, activities and assessment tools to ensure
academic success and satisfaction of the department/university standards.

Program Assistant/Coordinator, Gallaudet University Feb. 2019 – Aug. 2019

• Supports the program Director in managing the M.A. in Sign Language

Education (MASLED) program. Works closely with prospective students with
applications, current students with practicums and internships, and alumni with
job opportunities available.
• Enters, tracks and updates logistics for program applications, application test
scores, enrollments, course grades, practicums, internships, and graduations.
• Maintained MASLED’s online presence through social media and website with
the goals of increasing applications.

Posts: MASLED 2018 – 2019, MA – DST 2018 – 2019, & Faculty Positions
Webpages: Summer 2019 Schedule, GSO 2019, & Program Awards

Note: This position is now non-existent due to a federal budget cut.

Fellow, Helping Educate to Advance the August 2018 – Feb. 2019

Rights of Deaf Communities (HEARD)

• Imported calls, emails, physical mail and online forms into HEARD’s system.
Maintains communication with the volunteer Director and the volunteer team
with inquiries for potential cases and updates for current cases.
• Supported with providing education for justice professionals and advocates, and
with investigating statues and laws for prior, current and potential cases.
• Maintained HEARD’s online presence through social media and newsletters with
goals of spread awareness for DDDBDHH access, rights and issues.

Posts: April 2018 Infographic, HEARD MN Workshop, & 8th Anniversary

Newsletters: Summer 2018, Fall 2018 & 8th Anniversary

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Executive Board Member, Bison TV Aug. 2017 – May 2018

• Worked with the Executive Board to support and supervise eight producers
creating digital content for the communities at and around Gallaudet University.
• Collaborated with various teams of two-four producers for various projects.
• Maintained Bison TV’s online presence through social media with the goal of
bringing spotlight to people, events and issues.

Posts: Bison Feed, Latinx Community Gathering, BTV Team, & Rainbow Bison

Conference Co-Chair, Texas Society of Jan 2017 – June 2018

Interpreters for the Deaf

• Determined the vision of the state-wide conference with a co-chair, and oversaw
the logistics and financials of the conference together with the co-chair.
• Ensured the quality of the education and tools of the conference, and prepared
the budget and documents as needed.
• Created and maintained the conference’s online presence through unique
branding, social media and website with the goal of increasing facilitator
applications, conference registrations and sponsorships.

Posts: Co-Chairs' Introductions, Agenda, Tour & Early Bird

Webpages: Homepage, Agenda, Registration, & Location

Training & Outreach Liaison, Deaf Action Center May 2016 – June 2017

• Sustained professional relationships with the consumers, customers and

interpreters in order to maintain a collaborative community.
• Provided one-on-one custom mentorship for interpreters contracted with DAC.
The mentorship is customized, according to their current skills and goals.
• Maintained Deaf Action Center’s and DAC Interpreting’s online presences with
goals of empowering the DDDBDHH communities through awareness.

Posts: Laura Tovar, A5, CPC: Confidentiality, & CPC: Conduct and Respect

Interpreter Coordinator Assistant, Deaf Action Center May 2015 – May 2016

• Coordinated 50+ interpreters in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area to provide

communication access for the DDDBDHH community.
• Entered interpreting requests into the agency’s scheduling system, queried and
assigned appropriate interpreters, and then sent confirmations.
• Created and maintained DAC Interpreting’s online presence through social media
with goals of empowering the DDDBDHH communities through awareness.

Posts: Consumer Profile System, NTGD 2015, & What is a CDI?

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Academic Assistant, University of North Texas Oct. 2014 – May 2015

• Supported three American Sign Language (ASL) professors with assessing

coursework, quizzes and exams
• Assisted with carrying out activities in classroom when needed.
• Led one-on-one and small group sessions outside class for ASL tutoring.

PRESENTATIONS

Invited:

Gonzalez, T., (2017, August 12). C in CDI: Preparing for Performance Test. Deaf Action
Center, Dallas, Texas.
Hughes, H. & Gonzalez, T. (2016, October 22). Behind that “Like” Button. North Central
Texas Interpreters for the Deaf, Dallas, Texas.
Patterson, E. & Gonzalez, T. (2016, February). Perception and Experience of Deaf-Run
Interpreting Agency. Collin College, Plano, Texas.
Frazier, S., Grady, S., Patterson, E. & Gonzalez, T. (2015, October 19). How to Advocate
for CDI? Deaf Action Center, Dallas, Texas.

COURSES TAUGHT

SEMESTER COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDIT

Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

Fall 2019 ASL 761 Seminar in Sign Language Ed.: 1

Professional Preparation

Spring 2018 ASL 762 Seminar in Sign Language Ed.: 1

e-Portfolio

Fall 2018 ASL 752 Sign Language Practicum 3

ASL 761 Seminar in Sign Language Ed.: 1

Professional Preparation

Spring 2018 ASL 195 Introduction to Mexican Sign 3

Language

COURSES ASSISTED

SEMESTER COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDIT

Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

Summer 2019 ASL 709 Sign Language Media Production 3

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 ASL 741 Methods of Sign Language Teaching 3

ASL 750 Assessing Sign Language Skills 3

Summer 2018 ASL 709 Sign Language Media Production 3

ASL 741 Methods of Sign Language Teaching 3

ASL 750 Assessing Sign Language Skills 3

Summer 2017 ASL 709 Sign Language Media Production 3

University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Spring 2015 ASL 1050 American Sign Language II 3

ASL 2050 American Sign Language IV 3

Fall 2014 ASL 1040 American Sign Language I 3

ASL 1050 American Sign Language III 3

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