For OVV Program Director Carey Ratliff, working in deaf education is a calling.
Carey grew up in a small town about an hour north of Pittsburgh. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from the University of Indiana Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in Deaf Education from the University of San Diego’s John Tracy Clinic, where she focused on the birth to five years old population. She joined Ohio Valley Voices soon after graduating in 2003 at the age of 22.
Upon starting at OVV, Carey served as a Listening and Spoken Language Provider before becoming Program Coordinator and eventually Program Director. Describing her current position, she says, “I oversee the development of all educational programs for toddlers and preschoolers. By collaborating directly with staff and mentoring program coordinators, I help ensure that the children of Ohio Valley Voices learn to talk and reach their full potential.”
Although the day-to-day work of program directing can be challenging, Carey says witnessing firsthand the difference Ohio Valley Voices makes in the life of a child and his or her family makes it all worthwhile. The sound of children’s voices echoing through OVV’s classrooms and hallways keeps her motivated and inspired.
Outside of work, Carey keeps busy raising a family with her husband Brad. Together, they have three children—Ceci, 11, Jack, 12, and Griffin, 14. She loves going to her kids’ sporting events and looks forward to an extended family vacation in Florida this summer.
No doubt Carey has earned the right to relax after more than a year of navigating COVID-19 safety guidelines—not to mention her almost twenty years of accumulated service to OVV.
When asked to sum up her personal philosophy, Carey quotes author and social worker Brene Brown, who says, “Daring leadership is ultimately about serving other people, not ourselves.” Through her work as Program Director, Carey embodies this ethic of selfless leadership every single day.