Deaf preschool Karishma Mohan teacher brings new ways of learning to the class

One deaf teacher in south Auckland has inspired several toddlers and their parents to learn sign language.

When Karishma Mohan, 32, applied to teaching jobs, her application was met with many rejections, until The Gardens Early Childhood Education in Manurewa gave her enthusiasm a shot.

But her real concern wasn't securing a job or teaching the children, it was "the parents".

LAWRENCE SMITH/STUFF Karishma Mohan is a deaf teacher at an early childhood education centre in Manurewa, South Auckland.

"I wasn't sure if the parents would be accepting of me working here ... you know, being a deaf teacher."

But as she would find out, the parents were "really warm and keen to learn sign".

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The Gardens ECE assistant manager Allison Doddrell says Krishna Mohan is inspiring as a teacher.

Soon after, she was handing out New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) books that she had compiled as a resource.

"Parents could take those home, learn a few signs and gain a bit of confidence in interacting with me." Once she got that obstacle out of the way, there was nothing stopping her.

Now about three months into her job, she says the children know that she's deaf and they accept it.

"They wave, tap my shoulder or just run up and give me a big hug to get my attention."

They learn by pointing out to objects and she explains it to them. She also tells them stories - The Bear Hunt and King of the Mountain being the most popular ones right now.

"I tend to sit down so I'm at their level, but I'll just sign with them and they understand me, they get it. To start with they were a little hesitant, they were curious about how they would get my attention, but they learnt quickly.

"Sometimes when a child is upset or emotional, it can be a challenge just getting them to slow down so I can try to figure out what's wrong. But there's always a way," she says.

"They share so much of their world with me and I love that."

And it's not just the parents and children, but Mohan has spread the bug to learn sign language even among the staff at the centre.

Being bilingual, knowing sign language "helps kids become more accepting ... learning that everyone's different".

She advises other workplaces to encourage people to have an open mind and to be more accepting of people who are different. She has previously worked as a deaf teacher to deaf and hearing children and also did a short stint as a graphic designer.

The centre employs three differently abled staff and is proud of their inclusive policy.

Allison Doddrell, assistant manager at The Gardens Early Childhood Education says having teachers with different abilities helps the children become more sensitive.

"We take a lot of children with special needs, who are paralysed, who have behavioural issues ... we accept children for who they are," she says.

Since Mohan walked through the doors, the amount of signing the children are doing has increased. Parents have mentioned that their learning signing as well.

"We had a child the other day have a full conversation with Karishma just by signing. Within two weeks of her being here, we were noticing children signing.

"What an inspiration for our children to see people who have struggles in their life overcome them."