Odette Swift

Odette Swift
Because it matters

Phone

+27 74 186 6338

swiftlecturer@gmail.com

Address

Pinetown, KZN, South Africa

Hello, I’m
Odette Swift

Principal / Adviser

With some 21 years of diverse experience in the education field, including teaching Deaf children, interpreting for Deaf students in higher education, lecturing SASL to hearing students in tertiary setting, curriculum development and advocacy, consulting, policy development and project management related to Deaf education nationally, leading a school for the Deaf, I thrive on making a difference.

View my work

Areas of my leadership

Management

Currently managing the Fulton School for the Deaf in the KZN Province in South Africa.

E-Learning

Current focus on finding E-Learning solutions within Deaf Education brings innovative opportunities.

Curriculum Development

Largely within basic and higher education, with emphasis on and preparation of programme documentation for approval.

Public Speaking

Advocacy for Deaf Education and providing knowledge and insights into workable solutions.

Transcription

Services to entities aiding qualitative research initiatives includes transcription.

Research

Qualitative research analysis assistance to Masters and Doctoral students.

Education

2008 - 2012 University of South Africa
Master of Arts

Master of Arts: Linguistics (Translation Studies) by dissertation Title of dissertation: “The roles of signed language interpreters in post-secondary education settings in South Africa”
2010 - Durban University of Technology
NQF7

Certificate: Web-based teaching and learning (NQF7)
1999-2000 - University of the Witwatersrand
Honours

Honours: BEd (Deaf Education)
1995 - 1998 - University of the Witwatersrand (JCE)
Undergraduate

Undergraduate: BPrimEd (SP) SRC: 1995, 1996. Most Promising First Year Student Award
1990-1994 - Queens High School, Dewetshof, Johannesburg
Matriculation

Matric with exemption (Distinctions: English HG, Maths SG) School prefect, Full colours: Public Speaking

Work Experience

2019

Present
Principal

Fulton School for the Deaf

Lead a comprehensive school for the Deaf (Pre-school to Grade 12, including high level support and vocational classes)
2014
2019

Director: DEAF EDUCATION

Deaf Federation of South Africa

From strategic planning and policy development to advising stakeholders including government on access for Deaf students and learners as well as workplace reasonable accommodation requirements.
2008 2013

Lecturer

Durban University of Technology

Subject specialist for South African Sign Language (SASL) and Communication for Translators and Interpreters.

Theo van Rensburg Lindzter

Founder; Learning Academy Worldwide (SWEDEN)

There is no doubt in my mind, Odette is an indisputable asset to South Africa and this world. There is always so much talk about what needs to be done within Deaf Education. Few, actually get things done. Odette is one of those few. We are honoured to collaborate and partner with her and the school that she currently leads - building on a decade of alliance within Deaf Education.

Hello, I’m
Odette Swift