American Sign Language Courses at PVCC

Deadra Miller, staff writer

PVCC’s Adjunct Instructor of American Sign Language Rocco Devito has taken the American Sign Language community by storm. Devito’s teaching style is on point and fully immersive. He loves what he does and does not let anyone take advantage of him or his deafness.

Devito is an instructor who can be strict, teaching students who can speak and hear to be silent and sign is a huge hurdle that he can work with. Devito teaches ASL so the students find learning a new language pertinent to their college education.

Although ASL 102 is considered an elective, language students like James Lindemann find it “easier than others I have taken.” Lindemann also describes Devito’s teaching style as “straight forward. He [Devito] keeps lessons and the class environment humorous.”

Devito teaches ASL courses at UVA and PVCC. He drives forty minutes to UVA to teach in the morning and PVCC in the afternoon. His devotion to his profession and talent shows in everything he does.

Devito and Adjunct Instructor of American Sign Language Tina Steele teach the sections of ASL 101 and 102 at PVCC. Spring semester is already full for Devito’s lower level ASL classes.

The author of this article is currently enrolled in Devito’s ASL 101 class.