Hamilton Relay is pleased to award the 2021 Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award for the State of Iowa to Anne-Michelle Pedersen.
Anne works as a teacher of the Deaf through the Heartland Area Education Agency, and her passion for the Hard of Hearing community extends far beyond her work responsibilities. She is known to devote hours of her personal time to volunteer in her church and community.
At four years of age, Anne-Michelle was diagnosed with hearing loss. During preschool, she worked with an itinerant teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing who supported her and guided her family throughout her educational journey. After graduating from college, she followed these footprints to also become an itinerant teacher for the deaf/hard of hearing. She wanted to share her experiences with others and positively impact children with hearing loss, their families and her colleagues.
Some of the organizations Anne-Michelle volunteers for include Alexander Graham Bell Association Iowa Chapter, Hands and Voices and her church where she teaches songs in sign language serves as a counselor for young women and youth leader.
We commend Anne-Michelle for her dedication to the community and are proud to present her with this year’s Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award in Iowa.