UNF student fulfills lifelong dream of becoming a teacher in deaf education

When Mikayla Waters was in eighth grade, she had the opportunity to serve as a teacher's aide for a kindergarten class at a nearby elementary school. That's when she knew she was destined for a future in the classroom.

"I instantly fell in love with teaching then," she said.

Waters graduates this May with a bachelor's degree in deaf education and a minor in ASL/Deaf Studies from UNF.

Since joining the University of North Florida's deaf education program, Waters has completed more than 500 hours of in-classroom training at schools across Northeast Florida, gaining hands-on experience in building inclusive learning environments. Additionally, she has collaborated with faculty at the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services (SCOEHS) on research focusing on instructional strategies for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The reason she wants to teach is simple: she wants to be a role model for younger generations and a leading advocate for the deaf community.

"I want to be the person that kids can look up to and rely on to be there every day," she said. "Just being 'their person' makes it all worth it."

Discovering ASL and Pursuing Deaf Education at UNF

During early childhood, Waters split time between Jacksonville and Seattle, Washington, due to her father's employment with Microsoft.

By the time she reached middle school, the family settled in Jacksonville. Having decided on a teaching career at such a young age, Waters wasn't quite sure what path to take. That changed when she enrolled at Bartram Trail High School.

"My high school offered ASL as a foreign language, and I took classes all four years, and I fell in love with it," she said.

At the encouragement of her ASL teacher, Waters began exploring a career teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

While researching colleges, she discovered few in Florida offer deaf education programs.

She decided to enroll at UNF in fall 2023, in part because of its ASL Zone Living-Learning Community (LLC) and the abundance of real-world classroom training available. She utilized financial aid from the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and a Florida Resident Merit-Based Scholarship from UNF.

She loved living in an LLC, and she even secured a job planning and hosting events as a learning community assistant within the LLC during her sophomore year.

"I have made so many friends in the LLC, and I've made great connections with faculty," she said.

Deaf Education Program: Mentors, Classroom Experience and Study Abroad

Waters is especially fond of SCOEHS faculty members Dr. Jennifer Kilpatrick, Samantha Sturgeon and Dr. Caroline Guardino for their incredible mentorship.

"They're all amazing, and they provide so much support," stated Waters.

An ASL language course taught by Kilpatrick, which involved becoming pen pals with fifth grade students at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB), was most impactful to her because it helped her gain proficiency in developing individualized education plans (IEPs) - a critical competency for teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students to help them improve their language and communication skills.

"Taking that class was definitely very helpful," said Waters. "A lot of schools - even if they have a deaf education major - don't offer IEP practice, and so, interns or new teachers may enter the field with no idea how to do that."

Kilpatrick says Waters' empathy, adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement set her apart as a future educator.

"Mikayla is passionate about every aspect of her preparation to become a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing," said Kilpatrick. "Her curiosity, empathy, and drive are unmatched."

Kilpatrick added that she is most impressed by Waters' empathy for others. "She sees everyone - her peers, her students and her faculty - as humans first and knows that connection, grace and kindness are more important than lesson plans, timelines and objectives."

Waters has spent nearly every semester of her college journey gaining extensive practicum experience in classrooms. That preparation culminated this past year with her full-time internship placement at FSDB, where she works with elementary students.

"I love it there," she said. "It's such a close-knit community. Being able to slowly take control of the classroom has helped me feel more confident and overcome that imposter syndrome."

One of her most cherished experiences as an Osprey was when she was selected by faculty in early 2025 to serve as a SCOEHS Ambassador representing the deaf education program. In this role, she and fellow ambassadors connect with high school students and their families at campus and community events to inform them about UNF.

"The ambassador program has been great," said Waters. "It has really improved my leadership and marketing skills and deepened my appreciation for UNF as a school."

Waters also became an active member in the UNF ASL Club beginning her freshman year, serving on its board during the fall 2025 semester.

Researching Teaching Strategies

Through her connections with faculty, Waters has also gained real-world exposure to global educational practices. In July 2025, she participated in a weeklong faculty-led study abroad trip to Rome, Italy, with other UNF students. The group attended the 24th International Congress on the Education of the Deaf. The trip offered Waters an opportunity to join a research project led by Dr. Guardino, interviewing educators from around the globe about strategies for teaching Deaf students with additional disabilities.

The team, which also includes UNF ASL/English interpreting major Avery Descheneaux, has presented their research at state, campus and national conferences. In November 2025, they presented their research at the Florida Educators of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (FEDHH) Conference in Gainesville, Florida.

In December 2025, Waters and Descheneaux presented a poster at UNF's U-Glide Symposium.

In January, the team delivered two presentations at the 2026 Association of Educators for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ACE-DHH) Conference in Denver, Colorado. One presentation examined global trends in instructional practice while the other offered attendees detailed, real-world strategies being applied in classrooms worldwide.

Waters says the experience working with Guardino on this research has taught her a great deal about conducting research and has provided her with effective strategies to implement in her own teaching.

Guardino commends Waters for her command of ASL, referencing her ability to present research using ASL. She also is impressed with Waters' dedication to advancing the field of deaf education and developing strategies that impact student success.

"Mikayla gives 110% to every task, be it big or small," said Guardino. "She is invested in her own professional development, as well as the development of strategies and resources that will impact the DeafDisabled students she will work with after graduation."

Graduation, Family Ties and Future Plans

Like most new graduates, Waters is excited to embark on a new chapter in life and looks forward to sharing the graduation experience with her cohort and family.

The fact that she is graduating one year early is icing on the cake. Waters gets anxious when thinking about her future beyond UNF but is excited for what's next to come and is appreciative for the love and support from family and friends.

Although she is leaving The Nest, two close family members remain - her father, a UNF alum, is back pursuing a master's degree in computer science, and her mother is pursuing a bachelor's degree in philosophy with the goal of attending law school.

As for her future as an educator, Waters hopes to land a full-time teaching position at FSDB's Deaf Elementary School in the near future. She also plans to pursue a graduate degree in the future and continue being an ambassador for the deaf education program at UNF.

"The clinical experiences in the deaf education program definitely helped me grow as an educator," said Waters. "I've learned so much professionally, and I would easily recommend it to others."