Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• 1: Home
• 2: About Us
  • 2.1: Our Beliefs
• 3: The School
  • 3.1: Parent Infant Program
  • 3.2: Early Childhood
  • 3.3: Elementary Program
  • 3.4: Secondary Program
    • 3.4.1: English Language Arts
    • 3.4.2: Social Studies
    • 3.4.3: Mathematics
    • 3.4.4: Technical and Transitional Services
    • 3.4.5: Transitional Services
• 4: The Evaluation Unit
  • 4.1: Overview
  • 4.2: Facilitator
  • 4.3: Behavior Specialist
  • 4.4: Diagnostic Teacher
  • 4.5: Hispanic Liaison
  • 4.6: Physical Therapist
  • 4.7: Registered School Nurse
  • 4.8: School Psychologist
  • 4.9: Social Worker
  • 4.10: Speech and Language Therapist
  • 4.11: Vision Specialist
• 5: Programs
  • 5.1: Successful Deaf Leaders
  • 5.2: ScanWorks
  • 5.3: Girl Power
  • 5.4: Summer Works Program
  • 5.5: Technology Goes Home
• 6: Archives
• 7: Contribute
  • 7.1: The Golf Benefit
  • 7.2: Advisory Board
  • 7.3: Wish List

Ruben Leon

Director of Deaf Services
Advocates, Inc.
2003 Recipient

Successes

Ruben worked very hard in high school where he earned good grades, became a member of the National Honor Society, and was a member of the football team.  Because of these accomplishments, he was singled out to win the Special Achievement Award in Lee County. He feels proud that he went to college and then earned a master’s degree in Social Work.  He bought a house that he shares with his wife and two children, and he is very involved with the Deaf Community.

Challenges

Since ASL is Ruben’s first language, his first challenge was reading and writing in English. It was hard for him, but he knew that he could do it because he believes that Deaf people can do anything.

Advice to Horace Mann Students

“Be patient; don’t be in a hurry. Keep a positive attitude. Join a club or be on a team, respect each other, and understand each other.  Be assertive, set your goals and then go get them.”