Gallery

Sharing Deaf culture, NZSL, lived experience and communication awareness with UoA Pharmacy students - Sept 2026

NZSL 1A Day Crash - May 2026

NZSL 1A Course - July-Sept 2026

What a lovely testimonial from Sibly Mandow of NZSL student from Auckland Council Community Programme Delivery.

With thanks to the grant from Workbridge Foundation for supporting the NZSL 1A course for people with disabilities at The D*List organisation.

Dear Monica,

On behalf of my colleagues and I at The D*List we would like to share a huge congratulations on winning the NZSL Teacher of the Year award! What an amazing award for someone so deserving and passionate in their community. 

We are really proud to have had you teach NZSL classes here in our Community Hub and be a great advocate for Deaf and disabled people in Aotearoa!

Kind regards

Ella Sargison of Community Hub Manager

Congratulations to The D*List Organisation group 2 - successfully compelted their NZSL 1A course. 

March 2026

Exceptional Adult Educator – ACE Awards

I was thrilled to receive the Exceptional Educator e‑Teaching Certificate at the Adult Community Education (ACE Awards), Rutherford College, Te Atatu. Over 200 educators attended—what an honour! 

Naketa Phillips — Turi Maori with CI user studying MA Audiology at University of Auckland (UoA) — invited me and my husband to share our lived experience with hearing aids at the 2025 Hearing & Balance Research Symposium. Grateful to her for promoting NZSL and reminding audiologists it’s not just about devices. 

Honours to present at Albert-Eden Youth Board workshop, supporting young people including those from ethnic minority communities, to have their voices heard and valued.

Honoured to deliver a breakfast NZSL session at conference, helping participants learn basic signs and promote accessibility. 

I was surprised and honoured to receive the NZSLTA Value Award at the June 2025 Conference. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition and the support from the NZSL community — including members, teachers, tutors, trainers & volunteers.

I was invited to the DPA Disabled Women’s Network two-day hui, where I gave a NZSL Taster Session to conference participants. It was a great opportunity to share sign language and connect with a strong community of wāhine toa (29th & 30th June 2025).

NZSL SUMMER CRASH COURSE AT RUTHERFORD COLLEGE, TE ATATU - JAN 2025 

PASCAL PASOU (DEAF FRENCH) GAVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT 100TH DEAFLYMPICS (FIRST INTERNATIONAL SILENT GAME) - NOV 2024

WENDY ORELLANA SHARED HER LIVED EXPERIENCE OF BEING DEAF MOTHER, TEACH SIGN LANGUAGE AT DEAF EDUCATION CENTRE -  DEC 2024

WHAU YOUTH AWARD 2024 for 'LOCAL HERO AWARD"

THANKS TO HARD OF HEARING STUDENT FOR NOMINATING ME OVER 'LOCAL HERO AWARD' 

SHARED MY EXPERIENCE WITH AUCKLAND TRANSPORT (AT) - 

NOV 2024

VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT USA NATIONAL BLACK DEAF ADVOCATES CONFERENCE - OAKLAND, CALFORNIA - AUG 2019

May 2024

https://mailchi.mp/fireandemergency.nz/te-hiku-region-managers-update-3-may-2024-11560628?e=65e983e832

MERGE NZ 'EXTRA MILE AWARD' - DEC 2019

Hard to read texts 

• Proactive - deep communication with NZSL students, businesses, etc.

• Always promoting Merge NZ and spreading the word!

• Support other NZSL tutors

• Volunteering lots of hours

• Creative ideas with teaching materials

• Taking intiative/action taker (attended BSL Lingustic Workshop and organise Tutors Training for NZSLTA Northern Branch