University of Arizona Athletics

Nancy Webber-Graff never planned to be a teacher, but it quickly became the profession that fed her soul. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a minor in Women’s Studies and a Specialization in Education. She went back for her Post Bachelorette in Sign Language in Interpretation, but after taking a job as an education interpreter in inner city Milwaukee, she found her niche. She moved to Tucson to earn her second Post Bachelorette in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona where she could enjoy the Bilingual Education and Deaf Education programs offered there.
 
Nancy now teaches at Andrada Polytechnic High School where she was asked to launch a new foreign language program at the new school – American Sign Language. The program began as just one class, and now, because her innovative practices, there is a waiting list for the class… now offered six times through the day. Kids love the change of pace in ASL because in her class, all students are all hands, faces, and body parts on deck!
 
Nancy engages her students in the culture of the deaf as advocates as well. They attend Deaf Days Out at the Renaissance Fair, plays at the AZ School for the deaf and blind, and Tucson Deaf Club story time. And, they fundraised for underwater lights at Olympic trial pools for deaf swimmers in support of UA student, Marcus Titus! Nancy’s impact has a far greater reach than the walls of Andrada!