Professional development for educators
The Signing Leader™ Certification
Learn real American Sign Language from Professor Jenny and Deaf instructors, earn professional development hours, and lead signing in your classroom with confidence.
What it is
Learn ASL. Bring it into your classroom.
The Signing Leader™ Certification is a live, virtual training for educators, therapists and early learning professionals who want to confidently use American Sign Language with children.
- 20 hours of professional development (Level 1)
- 5 weeks of live, virtual instruction
- Live signing practice with a Deaf instructor
- Online course with downloadable tools, guided videos and implementation tasks
- Miss a live session? You get the recording
- Signing Leader Certification™ certificate and digital badge
Choose your level
Two levels of certification
Level 1
The Signing Leader Certification™
$349
For educators who want to learn ASL and complete 20 hours of professional development, with instruction from native Deaf signers.
- 5-week live cohort
- 20 hours of professional development
- Two live signing sessions with a Deaf instructor
- Classroom-ready resources
Level 2
Advanced Leadership in Language Inclusion
$449
Completed Level 1 and want more? A 7-week series with 30 hours of professional development and more hours of instruction from native Deaf signers. More intensive, more classes, more signing.
- 7-week series
- 30 hours of professional development
- For Level 1 graduates
- Next cohort: Winter 2027
Upcoming Level 1 cohorts
Pick the schedule that works for you
Wednesday cohorts meet live at 12:00 PM or 7:00 PM EST. Friday cohorts meet live at 9:00 AM EST. The Fall 2026 cohort is in session now.
Winter 1
Wednesday cohort
12:00 PM or 7:00 PM EST
- Week 1Wednesday, December 30, 2026
- Week 2Wednesday, January 6, 2027
- Week 3Wednesday, January 13, 2027
- Week 4Wednesday, January 20, 2027
- Week 5Wednesday, January 27, 2027
Friday cohort
9:00 AM EST
- Week 1Friday, January 1, 2027
- Week 2Friday, January 8, 2027
- Week 3Friday, January 15, 2027
- Week 4Friday, January 22, 2027
- Week 5Friday, January 29, 2027
Winter 2
Wednesday cohort
12:00 PM or 7:00 PM EST
- Week 1Wednesday, February 10, 2027
- Week 2Wednesday, February 17, 2027
- Week 3Wednesday, February 24, 2027
- Week 4Wednesday, March 3, 2027
- Week 5Wednesday, March 10, 2027
Friday cohort
9:00 AM EST
- Week 1Friday, February 12, 2027
- Week 2Friday, February 19, 2027
- Week 3Friday, February 26, 2027
- Week 4Friday, March 5, 2027
- Week 5Friday, March 12, 2027
What you'll learn
Practical skills you can use right away
Foundations of ASL & Deaf Culture
Understand the origins, values and importance of authentic ASL use.
The Magic of Simple Signing Framework
Learn to introduce signs naturally in routines, lessons and play. Curriculum books delivered to your door.
Signing-Inclusive Spaces
Adapt classrooms, programs, workplaces and homes to support Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing children.
What you receive
Your Signing Leader Certification™
- Signing Leader Certification™ from Signing Courses to share with your employer
- Digital badge and printable certificate
- Recognition on the Signing Courses website as a Certified Signing Leader
- Instructor toolkit: slides, printable sign visuals, an implementation checklist, flashcards, posters, games and more
From our graduates
What educators say
"I recently took the Signing Leader certificate Level 1 ASL course from Jenny and absolutely loved it. It reignited my love for ASL and Deaf culture. In this accelerated experience, you learn so much and go deeper than I thought we could've in just five weeks. Now I can communicate with Deaf people and feel confident doing so."
"I was a little intimidated and nervous learning a new language, but Jenny made learning ASL easy to learn and understand. She covered each sign so thoroughly, reviewed everything each week and was open to chat 1:1. I learned so much in 5 weeks and feel confident that I could have a beginning conversation in ASL with someone who is Deaf."
Congratulations to our Summer 2026 graduates: Tammy Lochridge, Rakesh Kumar, Simranpreet Kaur, Tracy-Ann Hunter Green, Jessica Konkle, Krissy Block, Jessica Zantjer, Jacklyn Leis, Vittoria Veltri, Hashani Alano, Darcy Ford, Molly Thompson, Zoe Yabrove, Chi-Yan Lo and Mridula Taneja.
Our promise
The Signing Leader™ Confidence Guarantee
Every participant completes a live conversational assessment with a Deaf instructor. It isn't a written test: it's a real conversation, so you can apply your skills confidently in real life.
If you complete all certification requirements, actively participate in the program, and do not feel confident having a meaningful conversation with a Deaf individual or implementing the Signing Courses Method™ in your classroom, we will refund your tuition in full.
The Signing Courses Method™ is designed to support language-rich learning environments. It is intended to complement, not replace, evidence-based speech-language instruction or therapeutic services when those services are appropriate.
Questions
For educators, principals & program directors
Is this program endorsed or accredited by an outside organization?
No. The Signing Leader™ Certification is an independent professional development program created by Signing Courses. It is not endorsed, accredited or approved by any state agency, government program or national organization.
Whether the hours count toward your professional development requirements is decided by your district, school or program. Many schools choose to sponsor educators as part of their professional development plans, so check with your administrator.
What will educators walk away with?
Confidence using simple, high-frequency signs during daily routines; strategies for supporting early communication; classroom-ready resources including ASL posters, flashcards and two instructional books; two live 30-minute signing sessions with a Deaf instructor; a structured system for introducing signs to children; and 20 hours of professional development with the Signing Leader Certification™ – Level 1.
Why do schools choose this training?
It gives educators practical tools to support communication, inclusion and language development right away. It is especially valuable in classrooms with preverbal children, children with speech or language delays, multilingual learners, and inclusive and special education settings. Schools often sponsor multiple educators so signing is used consistently across classrooms.
How does ASL help children communicate earlier?
Young children often understand language before they can speak it. Simple signs such as more, help, eat, drink, all done and please give them a visual way to express needs and feelings, which can reduce frustration for children and caregivers. When educators model signs while speaking, children connect visual language with spoken words.
What if I miss a live session?
You will receive the recording.
Can we enroll a whole team?
Yes. Use the large group inquiry form below and we will help you plan training for your staff.
Schools, centers & districts
Large group inquiries
Training a whole team? Tell us about your program and we'll be in touch.
Become a Signing Leader
Inspire inclusion. Empower every person to be seen, heard and understood.