First and foremost, the role of the interpreter within a classroom is to interpret and transliterate all the communication in the classroom to meet needs of the hearing impaired student or students. This means ensuring communication is interpreted in the sign language system recommended by each student's language profile. It is necessary that the interpreter be up-to-date with the classroom's lesson plan and syllabus, in order to be prepared to communicate the material as clearly as possible. Always show an interest in improving the student's signing ability and interpreting skills.
Part of being prepared to communicate the class's coursework is maintaining a clear line of communication the instructor. Daily meetings to go over course material are necessary. Encourage the instructor's own knowledge of sign language and interpreting needs in order to help the instructor fully understand the needs of the hearing-impaired student and what instruction practices work best. Always ask for course material ahead of time.
Within the school, the interpreter's role is to attend all meetings, conferences, and staff department meetings, not only to be up-to-date on school practices and policy, but to advocate for the school's educational interpreting services, and provide information about the hearing-impaired student's needs within the school. Promoting a healthy school environment inside and outside the classroom will help promote a culture of equality for all students.
As an accredited interpreter in the classroom, an interpreter must understand and support hearing-impaired student rights as communicated by federal and state regulations and procedures. If a student's needs are not being met, the interpreter and teacher need to work to rectify the situation. It is also important for the interpreter to act to educate the hearing-impaired student's peers and school at-large.