May 20, 2021 - Jessi Aguilar was born in Alexandria, Minnesota but then lived in a small town called Motley in Minnesota. Jessi’s earliest memories include feeding the cows and chickens, playing with the outdoor cats, and working out in the fields. Her fondest memories are helping in the big gardens, driving the tractors, fishing, and building tree forts with her cousins. She would spend many summer days outside biking and playing until the streetlights came on – her visual cue to head back home.
When Jessi was about three or four, it was discovered she had a hearing loss. Then, her younger sister was found to have a hearing loss too. Thankfully the audiologist gave information to Jessi’s mom about the benefits of bilingualism. In the 1980s, resources were significantly limited in rural areas, so Jessi’s mother decided to move to the Twin Cities for bilingual opportunities for Jessi and her younger sister. Jessi started her education at Anoka-Hennepin school district in the D/HH program. She was mainstreamed with a group of D/HH peers, with interpreters, from pre-K to graduation. She also had many D/HH teachers and support staff. Jessi is still close with the peers she went to school with and keeps in touch with many of her former interpreters/staff. Her least favorite memory was wearing the big FM system on her chest in grade school. Her fondest memories are being a part of the Beyond Silence Club and doing plays, poems, and songs in ASL with some of her peers. In high school, Jessi played tennis, was a cheerleader, and in the National Honor Society. She challenged herself, taking many Honor classes. The hard work paid off; she was offered a full President’s Scholarship at Gallaudet University.
Jessi’s college experience at Gallaudet University changed her life. Before Gallaudet, she identified herself as a hard-of-hearing ASL user. She wore her hearing aids daily, primarily spoke English, and used ASL only with Deaf friends. At Gallaudet, she realized that she might function well as a hard-of-hearing individual, but her true identity and sense of belonging are Deaf. After graduating from Gallaudet with a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) and a minor in Women Studies, Jessi moved back to Minnesota to be close with her family and peers. She later became a licensed social worker (LSW) and practiced for four years in various jobs. During this time, Jessi noticed her hearing was changing. As of 2020, Jessi’s hearing changed from moderate to severe in both ears. She embraces it, “Deaf Gain.”
Currently, Jessi works for the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW) as the Compliance Coordinator. Her primary responsibilities are coordinating the BOSW complaint resolution and compliance process, processing complaints and monitoring compliance with disciplinary orders and corrective action agreements, and supporting the licensing unit with non-compliance licensed social workers. She also supports admin for compliance panels and Board meetings. She is the first Deaf employee in the BOSW.
With Jessi’s degree in Social work, licensed social work experience, many years of working in human services, and her drive to work hard, this position is a great fit! Jessi is passionate about the field and knows her work is important in fulfilling the BOSW’s mission. At the end of each day, Jessi smiles, knowing her work makes an impact in someone’s life, somewhere.
Her co-workers and supervisor have been very open-minded about accommodations and learning about Deafness and how to work with someone who is Deaf. As always, when a new employer is learning the process of getting ASL interpreters, when is an appropriate time to have interpreters, and how to adjust virtual training and meetings with interpreters, it can be challenging. Another challenge is having IT’s approval and understanding of the importance of a video phone. Working with masks is a huge barrier, so all staff members have a clear mask so Jessi can see their lips when interpreters are not present. Jessi will also wear her hearing aids, or use her Boogie Board, chat messages, and emails to communicate with co-workers and her supervisor. Jessi is very impressed with the staff asking questions and being mindful when interacting with her.
For the last nine years, Jessi also works as a Deaf Mentor for the Deaf Mentor Family Program. She teaches families with a D/HH child or children ASL and about the Deaf community. She loves to see families grow in their communication skills with their D/HH child or children. When parents have their “Aha!” moment, Jessi feels inspired. The joy from this rewarding job is indescribable, so being a Deaf Mentor has a special place in her heart.
The advice she has about working is to “be open-minded about different opportunities and not to limit yourself. Everyone must start somewhere, and gradually you will get to where you want to be. Along the way, you will learn new skills if you are open-minded. Also, have patience with educating employers about accommodations. Be creative in communicating with others, not solely relying on one approach. With an open mind, positive attitude, patience, and creativity, you can succeed!”
When Jessi is not working, she is a mother to three daughters (ages 12 ½, 10 ½, and 9). All are involved in school and sports commitments, so in other words, Jessi feels like a “soccer mom.” She is married and has a Husky-Lab rescue named Motley. Spending time with her family and close friends is important to her. In her spare moments, she loves to garden (borderline obsession), raise and release butterflies each summer, paint, read, go on long walks, renovate her home, and travel. She also loves sudoku games! Her most peaceful moments are having coffee on the deck watching the birds.
In the crazy world we live in, Jessi shares the following advice: “If you can’t find the sunshine, BE the sunshine. We live once, so make the most of it. Smile often, laugh often, but most importantly, love often.”
The #CanDoAnything campaign showcases people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing at work, giving them an opportunity to share what they do at their jobs and explain how communication access works for them. This campaign shows what our community can do, which is anything!
