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Making A Difference:
Karen Rossi
by Kristy Brannen
When Karen Rossi, M.A., executive director of the Omaha Hearing School for Children, learned that she had been chosen as one of the three recipients of the 2008 University of Nebraska at Omaha Women of Wisdom awards she initially thought it was a joke.
I first learned about the award when I was called to set up a time to do an interview at UNO, Rossi said. “I was just waiting for the person calling to tell me that all I had to do to receive this award was send in $50 for the plaque to hang on the wall,” she said. “I really though it was some sort of scam.”
Since then, she has learned that this award is far from a scam. Each year UNO’s Program for Women and Successful Aging (PWSA) honors three Omaha women over the age of 50 who exemplify a spirit of community and provide others with a positive example of successful aging.
Since then, she has learned that this award is far from a scam. Each year UNO’s Program for Women and Successful Aging (PWSA) honors three Omaha women over the age of 50 who exemplify a spirit of community and provide others with a positive example of successful aging.
Due to the fact that the PWSA seeks nominations from the community on which Omaha women should be honored, this award is a direct reflection of the impact Rossi has made on this community.
The group tries to include some different comfort items each month.
These vary from magazines and playing cards to socks and bootlaces. In addition,
every box contains a letter from each of the baker’s for that particular month.
“The letter is one of gratitude and support for what the soldiers are doing for
all of us back home,” she said. “We also tell them a little bit about ourselves
and our town so they have an idea of who we are.”
The road to success
After graduating from Washington University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Rossi began teaching preschool. In 1976, Rossi returned to Omaha to work for the Omaha Hearing School, and has been there ever since. “I guess I don’t fit the mold of people who change professions every five to seven years,” she said. “I love this school and what we do here to help children and families.”
According to Rossi, the Omaha Hearing School for Children is a private school for children who are deaf or hard of hearing from birth through 3rd grade. Founded in 1952 by four ENT doctors, the school provides an auditory oral approach for deaf children.
“”Today, medical and technological developments have changed expectations for children with hearing loss,” Rossi said. “There are amazing possibilities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing when we provide early and specific education in auditory learning and spoken language to set the stage for reading and academic achievement.”
Although she served as the interim director for a short period, Rossi was officially named the executive director in 1985. Rossi’s role is comparable to the role a principal plays at a traditional school, but a bit more expansive. She also writes grants, works with teachers, and serves on several national committees and task forces.
“In addition to administrative duties, I also provide direct service as an early intervention specialist serving babies and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families,” she said. This work involves teaching the families how to provide stimulation and practice in listening and speaking.
Not only has the work been fulfilling for Crawford, but so have the friendships she has made.
“Working with this constantly evolving group of volunteers has been a real treat,” she said.
“Old friendships have become more meaningful and I have made so many new friendships with people I might not otherwise have met.”
A need to innovate
“The best part of my job as director is working on innovative ways to better meet the needs of today’s children who are deaf or hard of hearing,” Rossi said. In her quest to help the school innovate and adapt to the changing needs of children with hearing loss, Rossi developed The Neighborhood Preschool and Begindergarten. Both programs are mainstream options offered within the school’s building.
She also founded the Learn to Talk Around the Clock company, which develops and publishes materials designed to help children develop listening and spoken language skills. The company has published materials like the Learn to Talk Around the Clock, A Professional’s Early Intervention Toolbox and the Learn to Talk Around the Clock at Childcare.
Rossi hopes to offer training workshops across the nation in conjunction with the Learn To Talk Around the Clock at Childcare. “All children deserve to have the best language and listening stimulation as possible during their hours at childcare when they are away from their parents and families,” Rossi said. “I feel that this program has the most potential to change the lives of children everywhere.”
Beyond the Omaha Hearing School
As the executive director of OHS, Rossi is involved in OPTIONschools International, an organization for programs that specialize in listening and spoken language. For the last six years, she has served as president of this organization. She also is actively involved in the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing and a task force that is currently developing a certification for teachers who work with deaf or hard of hearing children.
A humble approach
Despite these incredible accomplishments, Rossi’s focus remains simply on helping children with hearing loss and their families. “I don’t know if I ever think about feeling proud of myself or my accomplishments,” she said. “However, I do feel a great deal of satisfaction when someone appreciates one of my publications or is able to gain information from one of my presentations. I also feel a great deal of satisfaction when I share in a family’s joy when their child learns his or her first word or says something unexpected.”
Perhaps it is her dedication to teaching that inspired her two daughters, Jennifer and Nicole to become teachers. Her son, Brian, is currently attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha with plans to become a teacher as well. Rossi has been married to her husband, Charlie, for 32 years.
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