My story, our mission

Learn about the heart and soul behind Deafinitely ASL LLC.

Discover my journey, our passion, and our dedication to bridging the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities.

Meet Kristina "Kit" Partin

As a Deaf individual, Kristina "Kit" Partin founded Deafinitely ASL LLC from a deep understanding of the unique experiences and challenges faced within the Deaf community. Navigating the real world as a Deaf person has fueled her passion for teaching and advocating for accessible communication. With a strong background in education and current working experience, Kit is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and empowering others through American Sign Language.

Beyond the ordinary

Meet Kristina "Kit" Partin

 

Kit has been profoundly deaf since approximately 8 months old. She was raised using bilateral hearing aids and FM systems in school to better access her teachers. After middle school, her hearing aids became less effective, and a cochlear implant (CI) was considered and chosen for her left ear. She experienced success with the CI for about five to six years before it became less effective due to side effects from the procedure, including tinnitus.

Her parents learned Pidgin Signed English (PSE), another form of signed communication, and used it at home while she attended therapy. With the Total Communication method used in schools, she thrived and worked with ASL interpreters from elementary school through college.

She dreamed of teaching deaf children and becoming a role model—showing them that “Deaf CAN do anything they want to do.” She earned her A.A. from St. Petersburg Community College (St. Petersburg, FL), her B.A. from Flagler College (St. Augustine, FL), and her M.S. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Knoxville, TN) in Deaf Education and Elementary Education.

Her most recent position teaching deaf children was at the South Carolina School for the Deaf, where she taught for nearly three years. She later shifted her focus to teaching college students, instructing ASL 1 and 2 at Spartanburg Community College in both in-person and online formats as a part-time adjunct. She also taught a Deaf Culture course at the University of South Carolina Upstate.

With over 10 years of experience teaching in ASL with both deaf students and hearing students learning ASL, she is passionate about helping others learn ASL effectively.

Making an impact in Spartanburg, SC

"At Deafinitely ASL LLC, I’m on a mission to make a lasting impact on my students and the Spartanburg, South Carolina community. I aim to empower individuals to communicate confidently in ASL while helping build a more inclusive and connected world. Through high-quality ASL education and a strong focus on Deaf culture, I work to break down barriers and bring the Deaf and hearing communities together—one sign at a time."

Run by one passionate Deaf woman

At Deafinitely ASL LLC, I’m deeply passionate about the Deaf community and the beauty of American Sign Language. I bring my own unique background and a love for helping others build understanding and connection through ASL. As someone with close ties to the Deaf community, I share real-life experiences and cultural insight in my teaching. My goal is to create a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging space for every student.