Deaf Teacher Devotes Himself to Students

Chris Balduc has more than a job. For him, it’s a life mission.

Balduc, who lost his hearing at the age of 9, teaches deaf students at Cabrillo Middle School.

An educator since 1997, Balduc--who earned two credentials at Cal State Northridge--encourages his students and their parents to learn American Sign Language, to lip read and to take an active role in the classroom.

“The job is very stressful, but I really care for my kids,” said Balduc, 39. “I’m dedicated to the job because I’m deaf. I’m committed to helping my students to become more involved in the culture of the deaf.”

Balduc said many people misunderstand the difference between language and the ability to communicate, noting that children whose parents sign with them make learning language and communication easier.

“Being deaf is the invisible handicap, and non-deaf people often don’t know what to do,” he said. “Some talk slowly, loudly or ask, ‘Can you read my lips?’ I usually respond by saying, ‘No. The print is too small.’ It depends on the individual. Enunciation is an art, not a science.”

Balduc said deaf education is often short of certified interpreters and elective opportunities.

Balduc said many deaf students perform at a lower level in English than other students. The majority of his students read at a fourth-grade level.

Many students are able to attend mainstream classes with a sign language interpreter, Balduc said. “But as a teacher of deaf children, many times I must teach mathematics, English, social science, and arts and crafts and provide counseling. I have to do it all. I want my students to succeed, think for themselves and feel good about themselves.”

He said his dream is to turn Ventura into a cultural center for deaf people.

Among his greatest challenges, Balduc said, is the lack of interaction and sharing of ideas and methods with other teachers of the deaf.

Another difficulty, he said, is dealing with the disparity of ability levels among students within a classroom and with students who have more than one disability.