ASL Instructor | Absorbent Minds Montessori School
Hannah Bissonnette serves as the American Sign Language (ASL) Instructor at Absorbent Minds Montessori School in Stow, Ohio. With a background in Deaf interpreting, educational interpreting, and teaching American Sign Language to children, Hannah brings both professional experience and a genuine passion for ASL and Deaf culture to the students at Absorbent Minds.
ASL Education & Experience
Hannah is a graduate of Niles McKinley High School. She continued her education at Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), earning a degree in the arts in 2018 and completing her degree in Deaf Interpretive Services in 2020.
While attending college, Hannah began working for a child care organization in the greater Cleveland area. During her time there, she became a traveling American Sign Language teacher, introducing children to ASL both in person and remotely from 2016 through 2023.
After earning her interpreting degree, Hannah worked as an educational sign language interpreter for several school districts and with students across a variety of grade levels. Through these experiences, she developed a well-rounded understanding of educational environments and the importance of meeting the individual communication and learning needs of each Deaf student she supported.
Bringing American Sign Language to the Montessori Classroom
In 2024, Hannah stepped away from full-time interpreting to focus on her growing family. She is excited to return to teaching and share a language and culture that have been an important part of both her education and professional life.
At Absorbent Minds, Hannah introduces students to American Sign Language and Deaf culture while continuing to grow in her understanding of Montessori education. She appreciates the Montessori approach for its emphasis on respecting children as individuals and supporting each child’s unique development as a learner.
Hannah is passionate about helping children discover that language is about more than learning vocabulary—it is also a way to understand, communicate with, and appreciate others. She is excited to bring ASL into the classrooms at Absorbent Minds and give students meaningful exposure to both the language and the rich culture of the Deaf community.
Beyond the Classroom
Hannah is a mom to two young boys and enjoys spending time with her family. When she isn’t interpreting or teaching, you can usually find her playing with her boys, enjoying a board game with her husband, running, or making a cup of coffee that she may or may not actually finish.
That last part is especially fitting because Hannah and her family operate a seasonal coffee and ice cream shop in Lakeside, Ohio, along Lake Erie. Lakeside has become a special place for Hannah and her family to work, spend time together, and relax during the summer months.
Hannah is excited to be part of the Absorbent Minds Montessori School community and to share her enthusiasm for American Sign Language, communication, and Deaf culture with AMMS students.