People

Nishani Shamila McCluskey was born Deaf to hearing parents and has two hearing siblings. She grew up in different countries such as: India, Sweden and Sri Lanka. She is a single mother and has one Hard-of-Hearing daughter.

She received her in MA in Sign Language education from Gallaudet University in 2014. She has been teaching American Sign Language (ASL) collegiately since 2013. Nishani has done tremendous research on Sri Lankan Sign Language, collaborating with Sri Lankan Deaf leaders to develop Sri Lankan Sign Language books for Deaf children and parents to learn Sri Lankan Sign Language. With her background in graphic design, she has designed and published five sign language books.

She was a full time ASL instructor at Gallaudet University from 2013 - 2016. In addition, she holds an adjunct teaching position at Montgomery College, MD in American Sign Language.  In her spare time, she enjoys painting, cycling, traveling with her daughter, and spending time with her family during the holidays.

Professional memberships/affiliations

• Certification from the American Sign Language Teachers Association
• American Council Teaching Foreign Language
• Deaf Interpreter