Fort Bend ISD (April 15, 2025) – Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher Erica Haase returned to the campus she attended—now as an educator dedicated to supporting students who are also deaf and/or heard of hearing.
“I was inspired to become a teacher after completing my college internship with this very program,” Haase said. “I saw firsthand the dedication and passion that goes into teaching deaf students. It opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes efforts I never saw as a student—and I knew I wanted to be part of it.”
Haase works for the Brazoria-Fort Bend Regional Day School Program for the Deaf which is housed at Settlers Way Elementary.
The program, serves students across 11 school districts in Fort Bend, Brazoria and southwest Harris counties, offering two primary instructional approaches.
The Oral Early Childhood Special Education Kindergarten Class focuses solely on spoken language and does not incorporate sign language.
Total Communication Classes serve students from pre-K through 5th grade and utilize a combination of communication methods—including sign language, spoken language, pictures and more—tailored to support each student’s individual learning style.
FBISD’s middle and high school programs are housed at First Colony Middle School and Dulles High School.
The school program also offers itinerant services, where teachers travel to various campuses to support students who are more independent but still benefit from specialized instruction and advocacy.
“This program gave me a strong foundation,” Haase said. "I was lucky to have an amazing teacher who helped me thrive in my early years. As an itinerant student later on, I received support from teachers who checked in with me, ensured I had access to what I needed, and guided me through challenges.”
Some students spend their entire day in the deaf education classroom, while others join for specific subjects. Depending on their needs, students may continue at a site-based campus through graduation or attend another campus and receive itinerant support.
“Regardless of their path, the goal is to empower students to advocate for themselves and understand that being deaf is just one part of who they are—it doesn’t define their potential,” Haase said. “Our role is to help students understand their devices and advocate for the tools and accommodations they need to succeed.”
About American Sign Language (ASL) Day – April 15
ASL is a complete, distinct language with its own grammar, syntax and structure. It is the primary language of the deaf community.
It’s important to recognize not all deaf or hard of hearing individuals communicate in the same way. Some use sign language, spoken language or a combination.
To support access to sound, students may also use hearing technology, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids.
