JENNIFER: With preschoolers there's something every day, every hour there's something new.

(laughs) It's always a surprise um, It's always an ever-changing game.

(soft music) My name is Jennifer Barone.

I'm a teacher at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

I teach a listening, spoken language, preschool class.

(soft music) LORI: She's only been teaching here at USDB for two years, but what she's done to help me be a better teacher and what she's done for the students has been phenomenal.

(soft music) JENNIFER: It's an age that's fun to work with, everything is new and exciting.

(soft music) I think the biggest thing is the um, connection that I'm able to make with them, that they feel secure, that even though they've left mom in the morning, they're happy to be here.

I think that connection is really important, first off.

(soft music) That they know that it's gonna be a fun day.

(soft music) LORI: Teaching deaf kids is very, very complex.

Not only do you need to have child development in your pocket, you need to understand how hearing aids work.

You're not just talking, you're talking for a reason and you're modeling language depending on where that child is.

(soft music) JENNIFER: Just the other day, one of the little boys came and showed me a picture in his book.

And I said, Oh, that's amazing!

Why don't you tell a friend about it?

And without even hesitation, he turned to his friend, he says, "friend, look at this!"

Yes, that's what I'm looking for.

That interaction with each other asking questions, answering appropriately.

Those are the little things and yet, it's huge.

It's the foundation that they need for living in this world.

(soft music) LORI: She loves to do to dramatic play and just bring in anything and everything that she has to make this theme come alive.

So for example, doing a pet unit and having the vet's office.

JENNIFER: We had all of our different stuffed animals, labeled and in different sections.

We had some baskets and bags and the kids got to go through and pick and decide what pet they wanted and then what did that pet need.

And what was it going to sleep on?

What did it need to eat?

Did the turtle want dog food or the turtle want turtle food?

LORI: Jennifer is the master at play with these little ones but whatever it is that you're doing is with intention and Jennifer understands the levels that our students are at because she'll have you know, some kids here and some kids all the way up here, and to be able to know how am I going to reach these kids all on different levels.

That's what she's doing right now.

And she's killing it, she's doing a great job.

I didn't know people like Jennifer existed until I met her.

(soft music) Teaching is such a hard job.

And at times it's such a thankless job and to be able to have somebody that you can say, you know I just need you to listen or I need feedback but I don't know if there are any words to really describe somebody who is able to be there for you to offer a support so that you're not alone in the universe.

Like, okay, I gotcha.

JENNIFER: I love my job so much.

I love working with the kids.

I love the excitement that I get to see every day.

I enjoy seeing the light turned on in the kids' eyes.

It's all worth it.

(soft music fades) (bright music)