A master's student who graduated from Columbia University's Teachers College May 18 became the first deaf pupil in the 118-year old program ever assigned to assist in teaching hearing students this spring while working in a city public school.

With the aid of two interpreters provided by the college, Ms. Carolyn Woods taught fourth grade math and reading to hearing students at Manhattan's P.S. 9 in the classroom of Teacher Heidi Grasing, who is familiar with sign language and deaf culture. Ms. Woods said she believes that the perception these kids may have had of individuals with disabilities was changed forever as a result of the four months she spent with them. The recent graduate is planning a career teaching deaf children. "My goals will be to look for their strengths-not to focus on their weaknesses; to point out their possibilities-not their limitations."

Published Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005