ABOUT
Riækt Consulting
It is a blend of personal expertise, professional dedication, and years of experience in Student Support Services focused on Deaf Education, that this group of individuals brings to their practices.
This collective has decided to team up so as to provide a plethora of services to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, its students and families. Whether your students are in Public Education, PreK, Homeschool, Distance Learning or continuing education programs we have differing contracts available to meet the needs of the community.
The goal, to raise student outcome projected by educational personnel and improve the experience of Deaf and Hard of Hearing families serviced within the Matanuska-Susitna valley.!
In addition to our support of the Educational process, we believe that in order to raise up the whole, we must educate the individuals. This is why we also provide ongoing education and professional development to all those involved in the Collective. This way we ensure that it is with the newest and most up-to-date information that we propel forward.
Meet the Collective
Hillarie Gossett, Interpreter
riaekt@outlook.com | Phone: 907-795-9202
Hillarie was raised the youngest of three. Alongside her Deaf siblings, she witnessed firsthand many of the successes and setbacks Deaf children face in Alaska. Fueled by this and ASL being her first language, she returned after college and re-immersed herself in the world of Educational Interpreting in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
Hillarie has been contracted with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for the past three years. During her time servicing Deaf and Hard of hearing students her focus has been on early language development and language deprived students. Hillarie has a strong background in ASL as well as the various milestones of concept development. Because of the diversity of her siblings deafness she has a variety of tools accessible to reach even the most spacial of languages.
Due to recent events with COVID-19 Hillarie is also well versed in distance learning and remote video interpreting.
Hillarie currently holds a 3.9 EIPA ASL rating and is working her NIC and EIPA credentials with the help of ongoing mentorship.
Hillarie has an A.A. Degree from American Musical and Dramatic Academy with an emphasis on Agency, Production Development and Talent Management.
Mary Putnam, Deaf Ed Coordinator
mary.putnam56@gmail.com | Phone: 907-775-0720
Mary has 30 plus years serving the Matanuska Susitna Borough and it’s families through the educational system. It is has been with an emphasis in Student Support Services and Deaf Education Coordinating, that she gained her expertise in bringing a collective together to serve a common goal.
In addition to her passion for educating our youth, Mary raised two Deaf children of her own in a linguistically diverse family. Mary has firsthand knowledge of every aspect of Deaf Education, from family impact, to obstacles faced by students (both auditory and visual.) She has seen the affects Interpreters, Teachers, Education and Society has on a Deaf individual as they try to navigate the system and has committed her life to shining a light on the often overlooked elements. For it is only through working as a team, acknowledging our mistakes and working to improve them, that we can make a true gains. Change what has been into what can be.
Upon her retirement with MSBSD, we are excited to have Mary on our team to contract with various outside sources and school districts in Infant learning needs and Deaf Ed Coordinating.
(Mary Putnam is ineligible for work with MSBSD)
Mary has a M.Ed, Endorsements: K12-Deaf/HH, K12-Emotional Disturbance, Early Childhood-Birth to Five, Elementary Ed.
Amy Smith, Interpreter
smith.amyrose@gmail.com | Phone: 616-648-8802
Amy comes to us from her home state of Michigan. After recieving a Bachelors in ASL/English Interpreting Amy accepted temporary a position working for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. However after just one school year with the district, it became clear that the Alaskan community, landscape and way of life was a perfect fit. Amy returned to Michigan for one final year where she continued her work in Educational Interpreting before making a permanent move to Alaska.
Upon laying down roots, Amy has worked diligently in building a relationship with not only various interpreters and educators within the state, but is also an active advocate of Deaf culture and community within our state. She sets a high precedence for the importance of continued education and team unity.
Amy graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Sign Language Interpreting, has K12 (EIPA) certifications and is currently working towards her National Certification.
Sharon Miranda, Deaf Interpreter/Mentor
smiranda@hopealaska.org | Phone: 907-268-4416
Sharon is a prolific Deaf adult in the Alaskan community. The work she does for outreach programs, educating Alaskans on the culture and experience of Deaf individuals is unparalleled. We are honored to have her as a member of our collective team.
Sharon is the Coordinator of Deaf Supports for Hope Community Resources. She helps lead their Deaf Navigator Program which is dedicated to providing a range of resources and services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alaskans, aimed at improving their long-term employment and housing options. In addition to this Sharon has also taught ASL I,II,III,IV through UAA and MatSu Campuses. Sharon is active in supporting families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing families through in-home interactions and ASL family classes.
In addition to this Sharon has taken her efforts around the state of Alaska through the Rural Deaf Student Support Program. This program links Deaf students ages 3 - 22 with host families fluent in American Sign Language that are knowledgeable of Deaf Culture and meet all foster care requirements.
Sharon has a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Gallaudet University.