Teresa Fleming - Executive Director & ASL Specialist

         Teresa joined DCS in 2022 as an ASL Specialist and became Executive Director in 2023. Born Deaf, Teresa believes sign language is her life and her community. With over 30 years of experience in early intervention, she advocates for bilingual, bicultural ASL education and early language access for Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf-Disabled, hard-of-hearing children, and CODAs.
         She holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology (Deaf Studies) from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor’s from Gallaudet University—the only university in the world exclusively for Deaf students. A language access advocate and ally, she promotes ASL literacy, accessibility, and social justice.         
​         She gratefully acknowledges living and working on the traditional territories of the Qayqayt, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

Ingrid Schum - Speech Language Pathologist

       Ingrid is a Speech-Language Pathologist at DCS. She has been with DCS for 24 years. Ingrid has a Master’s of Science in Audiology and Speech Sciences from the University of British Columbia. Ingrid started to learn ASL in high school when family friends found out their baby was Deaf. She babysat often for them over several years. Ingrid continued learning ASL during night classes at Camosun College while she was attending the University of Victoria for my Bachelor’s degree.
​        Both of her children learned ASL as babies and used it as their first language to communicate with her. She knows how valuable it is for babies to be exposed to both English and ASL and has seen firsthand the benefits of this.

Mike Fenner - Speech Language Pathologist

          A Speech-Language Pathologist who enthusiastically comes to play at work; Mike came to the Deaf Children’s Society of British Columbia with a background in acting and improvisation, which he uses throughout his practice to explore communication creatively, across modalities.  He holds a degree in Psychology and Linguistics from the University of British Columbia and received a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Alberta.
​          DCS is a beautiful fit for Mike as he is passionate to work on the development of second languages through the foundation of a strong first language. At DCS, ASL is often the foundational first language, on which the communication skills necessary to be dynamically successful in life's endeavours are laid.

Kristina Jokan - Office Manager

         Kristina is the Office Manager at DCS. She has been with DCS for 5 years. She received her post secondary education in Hungary. Kristina was introduced to sign language when she started working for DCS. She used to work in international trade and marketing for a very long time and was actively looking for an opportunity that would take her away from a profit orientated world.
​        She is very happy to work for a non-profit organization. She supports and is involved with animal
welfare organizations.

Tony Dall - ASL Specialist

     Anthony is an ASL Specialist with DCS and has been a valued member of our team since September 2023. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University, where he deepened his passion for promoting ASL and Deaf culture. ASL is Anthony’s native language, and he brings a wealth of lived experience and linguistic expertise to his work with families and professionals.
   Outside of work, Anthony enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. He’s an avid skier who looks forward to the winter season each year—naturally, it’s his favorite time of year! His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and dedication to supporting Deaf and hard of hearing children make him an incredible asset to our team.

Dellalee Piper - Sign Language Instructor

         Dellalee is proud to be called the big “D” Deaf. She grew up having a big family. Dellalee grew up with her adoptive sisters, foster kids and special needs children. She taught her siblings ASL growing up. Dellalee is proud and honored that her sister is a Registered Sign Language Interpreter. She is the reason Dellalee was motivated to become an ASL instructor.
          Dellalee has more than 35 years’ experience teaching ASL with infants to adults, in places such as in Whistler, BC , Kootenay-Columbia School District and Central Okanagan School district as a second language instructor for many years. She has also taught at Colleges and Universities. 
         During her leisure time, Dellalee loves spending time on the water. She has been rowing with a Dragon Boat Team for the past five years. Dellalee also loves signing stories to children. Her dream is to develop more children's stories and songs in ASL for families to enjoy. 

Anita Fileccia - Sign Language Instructor

        Anita is a dedicated advocate for language access and equality, with over 15 years of experience in teaching American Sign Language (ASL). She recently joined the Deaf Children's Society of BC as a Sign Language Instructor, where she passionately promotes effective communication and understanding.
         Anita's commitment to accessible language is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a deaf individual, having been introduced to ASL by her family at the age of three. Her formative years in the UK enrich her perspective on language diversity, further enhancing her professional expertise. As the mother of a deaf son, who attended preschool at the Deaf Children's Society and now thrives at the British Columbia School for the Deaf, Anita emphasizes the vital importance of a strong linguistic foundation for all children.
         Outside her professional pursuits, Anita enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and camping, finding a harmonious balance with nature while remaining steadfast in her mission to foster inclusive environments where deaf individuals can truly flourish.