Sabrina Smith is an amazing person, interpreting mentor, and professional individual.  She is a great asset to anyone looking to sharpen their skills and advance to the next level.  She is always seeking to improve herself, never seeming to level off and become satisfied with “good enough.”  A Master Interpreter with multiple letters of credentials behind her name that pertain to the field, she has also attained her well-earned PHD.  In addition to all her credentials, Sabrina remains as one of the most humble people I have ever met.  Her knowledge does not deter her from being willing to embrace more ideas and even accept her own errors.  She is a joy to be around.

 

As a mentee who came in with very little skills, she never once made me feel inadequate.  Needing to improve yes, but I never left her tutelage feeling beyond the point of help.  I wanted to learn.  She taught me.  I wanted tasks that would directly strengthen my weaknesses.  She piled on the homework.  Testing time came and she gave me extra attention and cheered me through the whole process.  If you are willing to do the work, she will give it to you.  You WILL grow, gain skills, and feel good about yourself.  When I felt down, she helped pick me up by my boot straps and take another step.  Sabrina is not one to tear other interpreters down, especially her mentees. 

 

She is an exemplary model of a professional.  All details of my training were always kept confidential.  She shared stories of others but always maintained their confidentiality.  She provided pearls of wisdom that I cherish to this day.  The journey did not end after I became certified.  To this day if I have any questions, concerns, or anything she is still there to provide support.

 

I highly recommend Sabrina as a mentor to anyone who is serious about improving themselves, their interpreting skills, and their professionalism.  She emulates the best model of all these things and having the opportunity to let it rub off on a mentee is the greatest honor.

 

Kellie Porter NIC, Ed: K-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am undoubtedly my worst critic, but thankfully Sabrina is my biggest cheerleader. I knew that I wanted Sabrina to be my mentor after getting to know her in the Deaf community. She was always very encouraging, as a fellow interpreter, when I needed advice or just a friendly pep talk. Her signing style amazed me and I wanted to embody that as much as possible.

 

Once beginning the mentoring processes, Sabrina quickly set up an individualized plan of action for me in which the end result would be certification. She had so many different tactics to approach the areas in which I needed improvement. She definitely thought outside the box and, although the work was difficult, it benefited me greatly in the long run.

 

When I felt that I had reached a plateau, Sabrina was there with that dreaded video of me interpreting during our first mentoring session. Watching that video was an eyeopener. Needless to say, I noticed changes. Sabrina can see improvement where we, the mentees, may only see flaws. Trust her feedback.

 

When I thought I would undoubtedly fail the EIPA performance exam, Sabrina reassured me that she would not have pushed me to take the test if she did not have faith that I would pass. And pass I did. With Sabrina’s guidance I passed the EIPA performance exam with flying colors and I was able to become an RID Certified Member. Only a short time after that, Sabrina felt that it was time for me to take the NIC performance exam. I did not feel that I was ready. In retrospect, if left to follow my own timeline, I would have never taken the NIC.

 

I am so thankful that Sabrina pushed me to take the NIC performance exam because I passed and I am now certified. Sabrina would often say that she was my ‘biggest cheerleader’. I am still working on not being my worst critic, but I know for a fact that Sabrina is still my ‘biggest cheerleader’. I must admit that it is a good feeling to have someone in your corner, rooting for you. 

 

Marianne Buckland Gutierrez, BA, NIC, EIPA K-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

This letter is in reference to Dr. Sabrina Smith’s mentoring abilities. Dr. Smith has been my mentor since 2009 to present. I started working with Dr. Smith early on in my career as an educational interpreter.

 

Within the first mentoring session, I observed that Dr. Smith’s mentoring style was one of openness, support – ethically and skill-wise, and even laughter. As a new interpreter, I had a different perception of more experienced interpreters. I assumed all experienced interpreters with many letters behind their name, “ate their young” and were not active in bringing up the rising interpreters. However, with Dr. Smith, I found her personable style to be welcoming and encouraging of growth as an educational interpreter. Mentoring helped me achieve my VQAS, EIPA written and performance, and NIC-written. Further, Dr. Smith was a major support for completing my Bachelor’s in American Sign Language English Interpretation. I am currently mentoring with Dr. Smith in preparation for the NIC-performance this spring. In addition, this is my third season mentoring under Dr. Smith for theatrical interpreting.

 

Three major qualities that I found unique to Dr. Smith’s mentoring were the following: First, Dr. Smith is highly communicative. Not only am I able to debrief interpreting experiences in a confidential manner within our mentoring sessions, I am able to contact Dr. Smith via email, phone calls, and even texts at various times, knowing that she will provide a speedy response. Communication varies from ethical dilemmas, sign choice questions, and testing preparation. Secondly, Dr. Smith provides an honest perspective to skills and ethical situations. Her honesty provides you with specifics and suggestions on how to grow and improve. Her honest style is done in a caring manner and all for the mentee’s benefit. Third, I appreciate how Dr. Smith does not JUST mentor for the test. She is the prime role model for being a lifetime learner, always growing and improving! For example, Dr. Smith’s spelling and definitions list, idiom question, and 3-signs or less practice helps you with fluency in English and ASL. Through her mentoring style, she fosters your competency as an ASL-English Interpreter and language role model for deaf and hard of hearing students. Overall, I have not found a better mentor or supporter within my growth as an ASL-English Interpreter!

 

Emily Girardin, BA, Ed:K-12

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Debra L. Vance, and not too long ago I was considered to be the "new kid on the block" within the profession. Like you, I wanted more out of my career and was seeking out opportunities to develop my skills. 

 

When I met Sabrina Smith, I had dreams of becoming a Nationally Certified Interpreter. I knew I needed to improve, but I wasn't sure what I needed to do in order to achieve my goal. Perhaps you are interested in expanding your vocabulary skills, passing the "next" test, or developing your receptive skills. Regardless of what your "goal" is, with Dr. Sabrina Smith as your mentor I'm convinced that you too will also achieve your goal!

 

Obtaining a mentor is one of the best ways to "hone your craft" and become the best interpreter you can be. When I began working with Sabrina, I had already taken my state's interpreter assessment. I was nervous about my skills, and even wondered if she would laugh at my mistakes. Sabrina did just the opposite! She eased my anxiety, made me feel confortable, and told me what I need to do to improve. More importantly, she assured me that she'd work with me as long as I needed her to in order to achieve my goal. It was a lot of work, indeed! Needless to say, she escorted me directly towards my certification.

 

Working with Sabrina was indeed the best part of my career. She encouraged me, challenged me, trained me, and celebrated with me along the way. While working with her, I learned that I could relax, be myself, make mistakes, learn from them, and still achieve my goal...and achieve it I DID! It is with great admiration that I highly recommend Dr. Sabrina Smith as your mentor. Congratulations, in advance, on all of your future successes!

 

Sincerely,

Debra L. Vance, M.S., NIC:Master