Jill Burress Headshot

Jill Burress

Senior Lecturer, ASL and Interpreting Education

Department of ASL and Interpreting Education
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
jkbnca@rit.edu
Office Location
LBJ-3748

Jill Burress

Senior Lecturer, ASL and Interpreting Education

Department of ASL and Interpreting Education
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Bio

Jill Burress obtained her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nazareth College in 2002 and her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nazareth College in 2000. She also earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Educational Interpreting for the Deaf from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology in 1996. Jill holds national certification as an American Sign Language/English interpreter (NIC), the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), and is a certified instructor of Cued American English.

Jill brings extensive professional experience across a variety of interpreting and transliteration settings. She currently works as a Video Relay Interpreter with Convo Communications and provides on-demand interpreting services through Convo Now. She also interprets in medical settings as an independent contractor and continues to work as a Cued American English Transliterator in both community and legal contexts.

Prior to her faculty role, Jill worked for over 15 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist at NTID, supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing students in higher education through language, social and communication development. Her interdisciplinary background informs her teaching and mentoring, emphasizing language access, culturally responsive practice and student-centered learning.

She is particularly passionate about fostering community-centered interpreter training that centers Deaf perspectives and promotes meaningful access to communication.

jkbnca@rit.edu

Currently Teaching

INTP-336
Interpreting II: ASL to English
3 Credits
Students will develop the ability to produce an equivalent simultaneous English message from an ASL source message. This course integrates inquiry and expository texts in both dialogic and monologic formats. Specific discipline areas include interpreting in healthcare, employment, and finance settings. Within those discipline areas, students will have the opportunity to experience interpreting in authentic environments with both Deaf and hearing consumers. Students will continue to develop text analysis skills, applying them to translating and simultaneous interpreting. Additionally, students will develop the ability to apply the principles of diagnostic feedback.
INTP-456
Seminar II
2 Credits
This course is a culminating seminar experience in which students will engage in reflective practice as they transition into the interpreting profession. Building upon students’ practicum experiences, this course provides an opportunity to discuss current topics and issues that impact professional sign language interpreters and the Deaf community. Using the constructs of Demand Control Schema to guide discussions, students will meet together weekly to share observations and experiences gained from the practicum placement. Class topics derived from students' field experience will focus on language issues in interpretation, ethical decision making, application of the Code of Professional Conduct, making interpretation choices, and implementing successful business practices as a professional interpreter. Students will maintain an electronic portfolio showcasing their knowledge and skills learned from the interpreting program.
NCOM-371
Introduction to Cued American English
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the Cued Speech system of representing spoken American English, its history, and application. Students will increase their awareness of spoken English and the pronunciation of words in conversation. They will also understand and describe the purpose of Cued Speech, as well as identify other populations and uses for Cued Speech. Students will understand the language learning benefits of Cued Speech. Upon completion of the course students will be able to accurately use Cued Speech to convey spoken American English. Students will receive credit for INTP-371 or NCOM-371, not both.

In the News

  • August 10, 2020

    professor teaching from podium behind a plexiglas barrier.

    RIT faculty look ahead to classroom instruction this fall

    COVID-19 has challenged the university to consider an even more creative academic portfolio with blended, online, split A/B, and flex class options. To prepare for in-person instruction, RIT has upgraded academic buildings and classrooms. And physical distancing and face coverings, required of faculty and students in classrooms, together provide some of the greatest protection against the spread of COVID-19.

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