Deaf Mentor Biographies
Northeast Region
Mandy Lawyer 
Mandy was born and raised in Biwabik, Minnesota. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Mandy was born deaf, but it went undetected until she was two years old. When she was two-and-a-half, a teacher came to her family’s home and taught them sign language. She uses bimodal communication by using ASL and spoken English at home.
Mandy has worked continuously as a Deaf Mentor since 2009. Mandy became a mentor because she felt the need to pay it forward due to her family’s experience of having a teacher come to their home and teach them ASL. When Mandy was growing up, she loved attending large social events set up for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. These events gave her a space in which she could belong and use the ASL she was given. Mandy also works for St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services. Mandy loves to read and is a huge fan of Dean Koontz and Stephen King. She loves cats! Mandy has one hearing son, and she uses ASL with him.
Mary Soltis
I was born in Minneapolis. I was mainstreamed in a public school with a DHH program. I transferred to the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault in 1989 until I graduated in 1998. I went to Gallaudet for a year. I was born hearing, but somehow our parents started noticing that I wasn’t hearing loud noises. That was when they discovered that I was deaf due to cCMV. I then started learning ASL along with total communication through a program PACER set up in the 1980s. My deaf cousin also encouraged my parents to learn ASL.
I work part time as an ASL coordinator for the deaf studies program at University of Minnesota Duluth. In 2021, I became a Deaf Mentor because I want to see deaf children become bilingual and fluent in other languages. I love outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking and bonfires!
Northwest Region
Brandi Peterson
Oh boy! Where do I start? I was born in Montana but as soon as my parents found out I was deaf, we moved to Kirkland, Washington, because Washington had robust access to DHH resources. I grew up mainstreamed in a public hearing school with a huge DHH program.
I graduated in 2003 and decided to “travel” the states for three years before settling down in Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN.I went to Minnesota State Community and Tech College, got my associate’s degree, then moved to Warren, Minnesota and went to University of Minnesota Crookston to major in Equine Science. I then got married and had children, so my career got put on hold. I went back to college in 2016, had a career change and got my degree in Pharmacy Technology.
I worked as a pharmacy technician for many years before my heart called me to invest in the Deaf community. I wear many hats: I’m an administrative assistant for our wonderful director, Emily Smith-Lundberg of the Deaf Mentor Family Services at LSS, and I am a Deaf Mentor. I work as a scheduler for a VRS company and an invoicing specialist for a deaf state referral agency.
I was born Deaf, and genetic deafness and mild hearing losses run on my dad’s side. I have multiple family members who have varying degrees of hearing loss. Not all of us identify as Deaf.
I have two girls and one boy: Calliope (born 2012), Diony (born. 2013) and Sigurd (born 2015). Calliope has about 20% hearing loss and identifies as hearing, Diony has 50% hearing loss and identifies as hearing, and Sigurd is profoundly deaf and identifies as Deaf.
As for hobbies: I love camping, road trips, spending time with my kids, doing crafts (I make quilts, sew, paint, building projects), and reading. I’m building a library collection! The biggest hobby I’ve been undertaking is doing a full gut remodeling of my 1918 house! I had never done this type of thing before, but having such a handyman father and a crafty mother, I guess I picked up quite a few tips and tricks subconsciously? I guess you could say I’m a Jackie of all trades!
Michele Rolewitz 
Michele was born in Moorhead, Minnesota and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. She graduated from the North Dakota School for the Deaf and attended the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, New York. She has worked for North Dakota State University for the past 41 years as a Financial Aid and Scholarship Specialist. Michele was born deaf, weighing 4 pounds 7 ounces, as she was two months premature. Michele was taught ASL from birth, as her grandparents were both Deaf, and their children use ASL.
Michele has been a Deaf Mentor since November 2013. She became a mentor because she enjoys teaching ASL to families with Deaf children. She has taught ASL at university, secondary and community education levels. Michele feels it is very important for families to have full communication with ASL. It makes her very happy to see Deaf children communicating with their family and friends in ASL.
Michele has three daughters who have blessed her with 12 grandchildren. She also has three cats. She enjoys gardening, canning, traveling, reading and spending time with her family. Michele has a knack for making others smile and bringing positivity to any situation.
Central Region
Kimmi Dickson
Kimmi was born and raised in New Jersey and currently lives outside of Brainerd, Minnesota. She obtained two associate degrees and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College.
She was born deaf and mainstreamed in all schools with interpreters. Her parents found out she was deaf at birth and anxiously learned sign language right away to communicate with her. She was the only deaf person in her entire family until her two beautiful children were born deaf just like her! They have a border collie dog that apprehends ASL words like sit, stay, outside, water, eat, and play!
Kimmi has been a Deaf Mentor since April 2023. She chose to become a, mentor to support and guide families and dedicate herself to help them gain skills and methods of ASL communication. She is also a library specialist who provides ASL-related books and games. Kimmi's favorite hobbies are photo shooting and gardening. She loves traveling, camping and four wheeling!
Paula Olson
I was born and raised in Minnesota in two cities: St. Paul and Maple Grove. I attended and graduated from Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault. I then attended Gallaudet University and Rochester Community and Technical College and have two AA degrees. I am Deaf and was born to Deaf parents. I identify myself as Deaf.
I learned ASL from my Deaf parents, so I always had full access to language and am bilingual in ASL and English. I also have a Deaf sister. I have a paternal Deaf uncle and aunt, a maternal Deaf aunt, three Deaf cousins and one Deaf second cousin. I have two daughters, they are CODAs (meaning they are hearing and are children of a deaf adult/adults).
I work at Target as a team member, and I have been a Deaf Mentor since October 2022. I have worked as a paraprofessional for 17 years and a deaf blind intervenor for eight years. I enjoy interacting with children and seeing them thrive. I also am happy I can help families become familiar with ASL and other tools they can use to communicate with their children.\
My hobbies: I absolutely love taking photos and journaling them. I enjoy gardening in the spring and summer with my husband. Volleyball and basketball have been among my favorite sports, which I can now enjoy with my daughters. I grew up as a bookworm and still am! We have four poodles at home; two of them are ours, and two belong to one of my daughters, who will take them later when she has the space. Fun fact: I am a Viking; I have strong Danish genes.
Stephanie Nutt
Stephanie is from Brainerd, Minnesota. She attended Gallaudet University, majoring in Communication Studies. She works as a direct support professional at a group home with adult foster clients. Stephanie became deaf at the age of two from spinal meningitis. She learned ASL with other deaf children and interpreters after being enrolled in preschool. Stephanie was mainstreamed growing up, and attending Gallaudet gave her a rich, life-changing experience as well as improved her ASL. She uses bimodal communication -- ASL and spoken English.
Stephanie became a Deaf Mentor in August of 2018. Having grown up as the only deaf person in her family, she recognizes the need and impact for ASL and wants to help deaf children have access to ASL. Stephanie loves to paint and loves dogs tremendously; she hopes to have a dog in the future. In 2017, Stephanie traveled to Costa Rica and rode on one of the top 10 ziplines in the world!
Metro Region
Amanda Jarnagin
I was born in St. Paul and grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. I live in Eagan, Minnesota now. I was mainstreamed in St. Paul’s Highland Park High School and participated in its DHH program, graduating in 2000. After that, I went to Hennepin Technical College to be a florist designer. I graduated in 2001 and went to Gallaudet University for two years.
I was born hearing, but when I was three months old, I got sick with a heart condition and stayed in the hospital for nine months. Due to the sickness, I became deaf, but it wasn’t discovered until I was about 18 months old. My parents had a parent-child group at Como ElementarySschool for learning SEE with their children. I do not have any other family members who are deaf. I have two children; they are hearing.
I work at Metro Deaf School (MDS) as a job coach for the transition program. I became a Deaf Mentor in 2021 because I wanted to expose children and parents to ASL so I can help them become connected and able to communicate. My hobbies include running a small business (Silent Beauty Flowers), crafting, camping and hiking. I have a cat named Mango.
Angela McCrea
I was born and raised in Norwood Young America (NYA), Minnesota. I have lived in Glencoe, MN for the last 15 years. I graduated from Central High School in NYA, then went to college at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I completed two-and-a-half years there, then moved back home.
I was born deaf, but my family didn’t find out until I was about eight months old. I didn’t learn ASL until I was in kindergarten. I learned ASL through watching my interpreter during classes. I identified myself as deaf while growing up. When I went to Augustana College, I really fell in love with the Deaf community
I also have two younger brothers who are Deaf. I’m a stay-at-home mom with six children; all are hearing.
I became a Deaf Mentor in 2023 because I wanted to have an impact on deaf children and their families. I want to help with language acquisition to help them thrive later in life.
We have a pet dog, a cockapoo named Piper. I love camping with my family and spending time with family.
Dr. Gloria Nathanson 
Gloria was born and raised in Minnesota, and currently lives in White Bear Lake. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Language Development with an emphasis on those with hearing loss from the University of Minnesota. Gloria also has her Doctor of Audiology degree from Gallaudet University and works at Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf. She is a Certified Deaf Interpreter. She teaches college classes at St. Catherine University, Gallaudet University and McDaniel College.
Gloria was born deaf, due to genetics. Because both her parents are deaf, ASL is her native language. She has a deaf brother and a hearing sister. Gloria’s partner is also deaf. They have four children, two of whom are deaf. Being a mother to deaf children helped her understand what it is like to parent deaf children and navigate the educational system.
Gloria has been a Deaf Mentor since 2012. She is a lifelong advocate for the development of the whole child, and her interdisciplinary professional background provides her with knowledge and tools from varying perspectives to support that growth. Because knowledge is power, she became a Deaf Mentor to directly empower families of deaf andhard-of-hearing children. Between teaching, raising her children, and speaking at conferences, Gloria loves to read, scrapbook and travel. Fun fact:, In 1996, she competed for and won the title of Miss Deaf Minnesota and was a runner up in Miss Deaf America!
Jackie Correa-Alley 
Jackie was proudly born in Puerto Rico and raised in Massachusetts. She graduated from New York School for the Deaf, known as Fanwood, and she received a degree in Data Entry and Business Clerk from Saint Paul College. While Jackie is the only Deaf person in her immediate family, she has an aunt and other cousins who are Deaf. Her aunt gave her access to ASL as a child, which she expanded on in preschool. In addition to knowing ASL and English, Jackie is fluent in Spanish, making her trilingual!
Jackie has been a Deaf Mentor since December 2015. She decided to become a Deaf Mentor because she had the desire to be a Hispanic role model for Hispanic Deaf children. She understands the value of learning the language of the culture she was born in, giving her access to other native Spanish speakers. But when adding deafness to the many layers of communication, she also sees the need for parents and their children to have access to ASL.
Jackie has been and still is active in the Deaf and Hispanic Deaf community. She currently serves as the vice president of Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens, is a board member of Deaf Women of Minnesota, and is a contributor to the New England Latino Deaf Association. She is also involved in other Deaf organizations. In the past Jackie has taught ASL at all education levels, from community education to college courses. She loves being outdoors, camping, traveling, sewing and crafting silk flowers.
Kelley Johnson
I grew up in Wanamingo, MN. I went to Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault, and I also went to MSSD in Washington, D.C. I then went to Gallaudet University and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2021.
I don’t really know exactly how I became deaf; I think perhaps I was born this way or got sick with a fever. I identify myself as Deaf. Someone came to my house when I was young and taught me and my family ASL. I know some universal sign language. I became a Deaf Mentor in 2023 because I want deaf children to be able to communicate with their families and have a relationship with their parents.
Through the Deaf community, I learned that having my parents learn ASL and being able to communicate with them wasn’t the same as my friends’ experiences. They didn’t have families who could sign with them, and I realized I was lucky to have that experience with my family.
I like to watch Netflix and spend time with family and friends.
Kristin Engelhardt-Fischbein
I was born in 1968 in New York. I became deaf due to a medication reaction when I was an infant. I’m not sure how I learned ASL, but I went to mainstream school in Albany, New York. I graduated, then went to college. I have four degrees, one a master's in teaching.
I have one brother, two sisters, a stepmother and a half sister. None of my family learned ASL; however, they did know how to sign “I love you.” My family did try to communicate with me through SEE, but they were never fluent. I identify myself as Deaf but can speak. I have an adopted deaf son.
I was a teacher for 23 years, but I also mentored in New York prior to Minnesota. I became a Deaf Mentor in 2023. I wanted to become one because I LOVE kids. I could not have children, so of course I had to share energy with other children.
I love to scrapbook, travel (I have been to many states) and read books. I have two cats that were feral when I took them in, Peppurr and Princess. They know 20 commands (both in sign and spoken language)!
Melissa Schroeder
Melissa was born and raised in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She attended the National Technological Institute for the Deaf and received her Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in the Administrative Assistant program. Melissa is a Referral Specialist for ASL Interpreting Services, Minnesota’s largest ASL interpreting referral agency. She was born deaf, mainstreamed in school until seventh grade, then transferred to Wisconsin School for the Deaf. Melissa’s parents chose to teach her sign language despite their primary audiologist discouraging them from doing so. As a special education teacher, Melissa’s mother believed that she should have more access to language. As a result, Melissa’s parents learned sign language alongside her.
Melissa has been a Deaf Mentor since April 2019. She became a Deaf Mentor because she wanted to help deaf children connect with their family members. Her experience with her own parents was a blessing, and she wants that for other children. She believes that having open communication between a parent and a child will only strengthen their relationship.
Melissa has a blended. She has raised her partner’s oldest daughter with him and added two more to the mix. With one deaf child and two hearing children, ASL is happily used at home. Melissa loves walking, reading, dogs and being with her family. She loves hot weather, and summer is her favorite season!
Nancy Dye
I grew up in Rockford, Minnesota and have never left! I was mainstreamed with the DHH program at Maple Lake, Minnesota then I transferred to St. Louis Park School my sophomore year. I graduated then went to Gallaudet University for one year, then went to Hennepin Technical College to study Child Development.
I was born deaf due to rubella. People didn’t know I was deaf until I was two years old, when they noticed I wasn’t responding to noises. I went to preschool at Whitter School in Minneapolis. My family tried to learn ASL but didn’t become fluent. We did have some home signs, though. I have no other family members who are deaf.
I work for Intermediate School District #916 in South St. Paul in the DHH program as a deaf/deafblind interventor. I became a Deaf Mentor in 2023 because I wanted families to become exposed to Deaf culture, learn sign language, and communicate with their children to help them be successful in the future. I love to travel, go geocaching and hang out with deaf friends. I am also a history nerd/buff!
Nathan Sorenson
Hello! My name is Nathan Sorenson! I was born in Hungary, moved back to the United States from the mission field in 2008, and have been here in Minnesota since then. I was homeschooled until 10th grade, then I was enrolled at Anoka Ramsey Community College through the PSEO program. I graduated high school with an Associate of Arts degree and recently got my Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies at North Central University. I was born Deaf. I also have six Deaf brothers and sisters! My parents are Deaf, too! I also have a Deaf nephew and niece who are absolute treasures!
Naturally, coming from such a big Deaf family, I learned ASL from my parents and siblings, so I had full access to language and communication growing up and am fluent in both ASL and written English. I'm passionate about empowering the next generation of Deaf youth. I believe that every Deaf child deserves to have the opportunity to learn sign language. Everyone deserves to be able to communicate and express their thoughts and feelings with no communication barriers. It starts with ensuring the Deaf child has complete access to language and breaking down communication barriers. I want to instill strong connections with their families in Deaf children as well as with the Deaf community and their Deaf identity.
My hobbies include almost anything outdoors! I love camping, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, gardening, participating in triathlons and horseback riding. Indoor activities that I especially enjoy are sketching, playing board games and reading. Fun fact: I love eating all kinds of food, but my favorite food is grapes. I could eat a whole bagful in one sitting!
South Region
Amanda Bavlnka 
Amanda was born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology from Winona State University. Amanda was born deaf, but her parents did not discover this until she was 10 months old. Her parents took sign language classes with her, and she uses ASL as her main mode of communication.
Amanda became a Deaf Mentor in April of 2015. She decided to become a mentor because she wants to help parents communicate with their Deaf children and wants to help families include their deaf children in their everyday lives instead of feeling left out. Amanda also works as a special education program assistant and a Deafblind intervener. Amanda’s favorite hobby is reading. She also loves going camping and spending time with her daughter.