Rhys McGovern - Owner / Founder
Rhys is a hard of hearing, bilingual speech language pathologist and teacher who grew up in New England and now works internationally between Boston, Massachusetts and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Rhys has been working with children, teens, and young adults for over 15 years, and founded New Leaf Language in 2018.
After completing a Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Emerson College in 2014, Rhys worked with Deaf and hard of hearing students in public, private, and collaborative education settings. Rhys holds state SLP and teaching licensure through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as the Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. A constant in Rhys’ personal and professional life is a love of learning and a love of teaching.
Rhys, a genderqueer person with glasses and short facial hair, looks into the camera and smiles.
Our Partners
TJ, a black man wearing a denim jacket and glasses, looks to one side of the camera with a wide smile.
TJ Fortson - Deaf Mentor
Tyler James Fortson is an upcoming aspiring actor. He is hard of hearing, and the first deaf generation in his family. He received a degree in 3D Graphic Technology, and is thankful for his lovely family who support his dreams of performing on the stage. Tyler quotes “Never let your disabilities stop you from what you love to do.” After all, he is very proud for who he has become. A young, black, hard of hearing man who has desires to make a better world for everyone.
Daniela Ioannides - Deaf Mentor
Daniela Ioannides is a proud Gallaudet Alumni. Her passions are teaching, genealogy and geocaching.
Daniela, a white woman with a shaved head, glasses, and a purple shirt, looks into the camera and smiles slightly.