Wagner is very friendly. While signing, he knows when I need a little extra time, when to slow down, and when to teach me a new word, so that I can understand. He uses chat, pen and paper, or fingerspelling to assist communication. I am so excited to learn from him because of the immersive experience, combined with his ability to teach at my level, as well as being able to learn Deaf slang and culture. Thank you Wagner!

I travel to renaissance festivals as a hobby, usually dressed as a princess or an Ice Queen. Children gravitate to me, in part because they think I’m Elsa (I introduce myself as her great aunt). Over the last year, I met many children who communicated using only ASL. Apart from signing “thank you” and spelling my name, I knew no sign language. Thus, my interactions with these children weren’t as meaningful as they may have been (for me or for them). I decided I wanted to learn ASL so I could have simple conversations with Deaf and/or hard of hearing children. I was apprehensive (certain I wouldn’t be able to make the dream a reality), but Wagner was kind and encouraging from the start! He was patient while teaching me the basics, politely demonstrating proper hand position and sentence structure. After the first two lessons, I knew the alphabet, I was doing a pretty good job of finger spelling and counting, and I could sign simple sentences. My vocabulary had gone from “thank you” to more than 50 words! I’m not the fastest learner (especially learning an entirely new language and culture), but Wagner’s gentle instruction and effervescent personality make it fun and easy! I cannot more highly recommend an ASL instructor! If Wagner can teach a 40-something Ice Queen to sign, he can teach you too!