The Signing Leader Certification™ is a professional development program that equips educators, therapists, and early learning professionals to confidently integrate American Sign Language (ASL) into their classrooms — creating accessible, inclusive environments where every child can communicate and thrive.
Congratulations to our recent graduates!
"I recently took the signing leader certificate level 1 ASL course from Jenny and absolutely loved it. I took ASL in high school years ago but this reignited my love for ASL and Deaf culture. If you have wanted to learn ASL, take the class from her, you won’t regret it! In this accelerated experience, you learn so much and go deeper than I thought we could’ve in just five weeks. Now I can communicate with Deaf people and feel confident doing so."
Christy H., Early Childhood Special Educator
Location: Michigan
Profession: Certified ISR Instructor
Location: Nebraska
Profession: Kids Yoga Instructor, Mother
Location: Washington
Profession: Early Childhood Special Educator
Educators looking to learn ASL this summer and complete 20 hours of Professional Development? Special instruction from native Deaf Signers. Sign up for our Summer Series!
Class Dates: (Wednesdays at 10am EST or 7pm EST) June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22
Completed The Signing Leader Series and want more? Join us for our 7 week Summer Series. 30 hours of Professional Development, with hours of instruction from native Deaf Signers. More intensive, more classes, more signing!
Class Dates (Wednesdays at 2pm EST) : June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22
Foundations of ASL & Deaf Culture
Understand the origins, values, and importance of authentic ASL use.
The Magic of Simple Signing Framework
Learn to introduce signs in routines, lessons, and play naturally. Curriculum books delivered to your door.
Creating Signing-Inclusive Classrooms, Programs, work places, and homes
Adapt your environment to support Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children.
Become a Signing Leader. Inspire inclusion. Empower every person to be seen, heard, and understood.
Official Signing Leader Certification™
So you can brag to your employer
Digital Badge & Printable Certificate
We believe in building better education
Recognition on the Signing Courses website
As a Certified Signing Leader
Instructor Toolkit
Slides, printable sign visuals, implementation checklist. 160+ flashcards, 14 posters, games, and so much more.
Duration
20 hours total ( + 2 Sign On Sessions with a Deaf Ambassador)
5 hours LIVE instruction
Format
Additional online course with downloadable tools, guided videos, and implementation tasks.
Primary instruction will be virtual LIVE.
Earn a recognized Signing Leader Certification™
Showcase your expertise and commitment to language inclusion. This certification validates your ability to implement and model ASL strategies confidently and effectively in early education settings. It highlights your dedication to accessibility and communication equity for all children.
Lead in inclusive communication practices
Gain the skills and confidence to mentor peers and guide your team in using signs consistently across the day. As a Signing Leader, you’ll inspire collaboration, encourage cultural awareness, and create a cohesive environment where every child feels seen and heard.
Strengthen your resume with verified ASL integration skills
Stand out as an educator who values diversity and inclusion. The Signing Leader Certification™ gives you verified credentials that demonstrate your ability to integrate ASL authentically—an asset for advancing in early education, special education, or administrative roles.
Build lifelong confidence using authentic signs with young children and Deaf adults
Feel empowered to use ASL naturally in daily routines, play, and instruction. With continued access to resources and community support, you’ll develop fluency and comfort that enriches your teaching and deepens your connection with every learner.
Signing Leader Certification provides educators with practical communication tools that can be implemented immediately in early childhood classrooms. American Sign Language can support language development, reduce frustration for young learners, and create more inclusive learning environments.
Many schools and early childhood programs use sign language to support children who are preverbal, experiencing language delays, learning multiple languages, or benefiting from visual communication supports.
This training equips educators with a structured approach to introducing ASL in daily classroom routines such as greetings, transitions, storytime, and play. Teachers gain skills they can use immediately, along with classroom-ready materials including posters, flashcards, and instructional books.
Because the program includes 20 hours of professional development, it fits well within school and program training plans. Schools often sponsor multiple educators so they can implement sign language consistently across classrooms.
Signing Leader Certification helps programs strengthen communication strategies, support early language development, and expand inclusive practices for all children.
Who approves this program?
The Signing Leader Certification program is designed for educators working in early childhood and elementary learning environments. In Michigan, American Sign Language supports and communication tools are aligned with guidance from MiLEAP (Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential) for programs serving children through the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
Signing Courses resources are also used by Head Start and early childhood programs across the United States as tools to support communication development, language learning, and inclusive classrooms.
Professional development participation is typically approved at the district, school, or program level, and many schools choose to sponsor educators to complete the training as part of their professional development plans.
What Educators Will Walk Away With
Educators who complete the Signing Leader Certification will leave with practical skills, resources, and confidence to begin using American Sign Language in their classrooms immediately.
Participants will gain:
Confidence using American Sign Language
Educators will learn simple, high-frequency signs that can be used during daily classroom routines such as greetings, transitions, snack time, play, and storytime.
Strategies for supporting early communication
Teachers will understand how sign language can support language development, reduce frustration, and help young children communicate before they are able to speak.
Classroom-ready resources
Participants receive ASL posters, flashcards, and two instructional books that can be used right away in the classroom to reinforce learning with children.
Experience signing with a Deaf instructor
The program includes two live 30-minute signing sessions with a Deaf instructor, giving educators the opportunity to practice real communication and build confidence in their signing skills.
A structured system for introducing ASL to children
Educators will learn how to introduce signs step-by-step so children can begin using them naturally in everyday classroom situations.
20 hours of professional development and certification
Participants earn 20 hours of professional development and receive the Signing Leader Certification – Level 1, recognizing their training in using ASL to support communication in early learning environments.
Why Schools Choose This Training
Schools and early childhood programs choose Signing Leader Certification because it provides educators with practical tools to support communication, inclusion, and language development in the classroom.
American Sign Language can help young children communicate before they are able to speak, reducing frustration and supporting early language development. Educators learn simple signs they can immediately use during daily routines, transitions, storytime, and classroom instruction.
This training is especially valuable in classrooms where teachers support:
preverbal children
children with speech or language delays
multilingual learners
inclusive and special education environments
Participants receive 20 hours of professional development, guided instruction in classroom signs, and practical resources they can use immediately, including ASL posters, flashcards, and instructional books.
The program also includes live signing practice with a Deaf instructor, allowing educators to practice real communication using American Sign Language and build confidence in their signing skills.
Schools and programs often sponsor educators to attend as part of their professional development plans, helping teachers strengthen communication strategies while supporting inclusive learning environments for all children.
How ASL Helps Children Communicate Earlier
Young children often understand language before they are able to speak it. For many children, the physical ability to produce spoken words develops later than their ability to think, understand, and communicate ideas. American Sign Language provides young children with a visual and physical way to express their needs, thoughts, and feelings during this stage of development.
Using simple signs allows children to communicate basic messages such as more, help, eat, drink, all done, and please before they are able to say the words verbally. This early communication can reduce frustration for children and caregivers while supporting positive social interactions in the classroom.
In early childhood classrooms, sign language can be especially helpful for children who are:
Research and classroom experience both show that using sign language alongside spoken language can support language development rather than delay it. When educators model simple signs while speaking, children begin connecting visual language with spoken words, strengthening their overall communication skills.
By introducing American Sign Language in everyday classroom routines, educators give children an additional tool to express themselves, participate in learning, and build confidence in communication.
You will recieve the recording!
