Tina Berghoff (MED, Teacher of the Deaf)  began working with children and families in the pediatric department of a local hospital as an undergraduate, where she discovered a passion for supporting families during important, life-changing moments. This experience led her to pursue graduate studies in deaf education, earning a Master’s Degree in Education for the Deaf in 1991. Since then, she has worked in many roles supporting D/deaf children and their families, including Early Intervention, PreK–12 classrooms, and as an itinerant teacher. She has also shared her experience as a presenter at national conferences focused on listening and spoken language and as a guest lecturer in a master’s program preparing future Teachers of the Deaf. Tina feels most successful when she is able to truly connect with families and provide resources and guidance that fit naturally into their family culture and daily routines.

Tina believes that reading is just the first step—book extension activities help children use the words and ideas from stories in real life, making learning meaningful and memorable. These activities give children a chance to communicate, play, and explore, connecting stories to their own world while building vocabulary, thinking skills, and social interaction. By engaging with stories in hands-on ways, children not only practice new skills but also develop a love of reading and learning that stays with them.

Tina is inspired by the AVID Language approach to supporting children and families. AVID’s books feature D/deaf and hard of hearing characters in engaging and exciting adventures, so all children can see themselves in stories. They help celebrate communication and learning differences, while supporting children in building everyday language, social, and thinking skills at home, at school, and on the playground.  When used in mainstream classrooms, these stories give all children a chance to learn about different experiences, empathy, and inclusion. In AVID books, children can explore hearing technology, sign language, and Deaf culture, building confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging.