Sarah Jernstrom, founder and head instructor, is the mom of Zak who was the inspiration for Chatty Hands.  Since graduating from Berkeley Business College with a degree in Marketing and Business Management, Sarah spent 15 years working in the fashion industry.  After Zak was born, she discovered a whole new career path working with children and has been following that passion ever since.  She was originally self-taught in sign language, and successfully taught her son everything she learned.   Together they learned over 250 words and used them all consistently.  Through courses at a local college and her own in-depth research, Sarah discovered the world of American Sign Language and the benefits of using it with children.  She decided to establish Chatty Hands to bring this information to the families who need it most. 

Chatty Hands was founded in September 2006 and was mainly geared toward teaching adults how to use sign language with their children.   Shortly thereafter, Sarah began attending Union County College’s Deaf Studies program and studying under Deaf professors.  She has now entered the Interpreters program and expects to be a fully certified and registered interpreter within 3 years.

Since starting Chatty Hands, the company has expanded into many other programs.  Chatty Hands now offers play groups, enrichment programs, child care center staff training, parent workshops, schooll assemblies, staff training for elementary school teachers and EMS training.

Sarah’s mission has always been to help families bond together through a mode of communication where everyone can be understood.  When we can communicate, we can bond with each other. We use many methods of teaching including a multi-sensory approach (auditory, visual and tactile) to aid in the learning process.   Regardless of age or ability, hearing or deaf, all children can benefit greatly from learning sign language.

Patricia Poland, our Youth Program Instructor, is the mom of Aidan who has been exposed to sign language since birth.  At 6 months old, Aidan is already signing ‘MOM”!   After graduating from high school in 2003, Patricia started studying Early Childhood Education at Sussex County Community College and entered the child care workforce.   Through courses at the college and working with the children in her child care center, Patricia experienced first hand the amazing benefits of using sign language with children.   She began using signs in her toddler class and found that most of the children were able to express themselves without getting frustrated.  In fact,   the overall noise level in the classroom was greatly lessened.   Patricia was first introduced to Chatty Hands through a demonstration at a local Babies R Us store and immediately knew that she shared many of the same goals for teaching sign language to preverbal children.   Patricia is thrilled to be part of the Chatty Hands team and bring her expertise of working with children to our sign language program.   Patricia works will all of our Mommy and Me playgroups, afterschool programs and preschool enrichment programs.