About Us

Welcome To Step Up Services

Step Up

We provide services to children, students, parents, teachers, families and agencies. These services may include Direct Educational Instruction, Advocacy Support, IEP Process Consultation, Support Services for DeafBlind Individuals, Professional Development, and American Sign Language Courses. With 25 years of experience, Step Up Services understands that changes can be made with the correct support in place! Success is attainable for all individuals. We partner with them to make success a reality!
Heather Snyder
Planning
Team

Our Staff

Heather Snyder

Owner, Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Heather has worked within the field of Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 25 years. Her journey began at Northampton Community College while in high school learning ASL from a Deaf instructor. Heather then secured a B.S degree in Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing PK-12 from Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina. After student teaching at the North Carolina School for the Deaf, Heather worked as a staff ASL interpreter at Lenoir-Rhyne College. Heather moved back to PA in 1997 for an opportunity to work in the supportive employment area at Via of the Lehigh Valley and then onto the public school mainstream setting for the next 20 years as an Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Heather holds a M.S degree in Counseling Psychology and Human Service from Chestnut Hill College along with the Certificate for Special Education Supervisor from Delaware Valley University. Heather has much knowledge about the IEP process, advocating for entitled services and the benefit of having the correct and strong IEP team. Heather prides herself with building relationships and connections within the field as well as partnering with other professionals to provide the best services to our clients!

Christina Derhammer

Advocate, Deaf Mentor

Christina is a Deaf professional Chef and business owner. She grew up in the mainstream setting within a signing family with Deaf and Hearing siblings. She attended NTID and has a culinary degree from Bucks County Community Colleges Culinary Art Program. She is a Sempai Instructor and holds a Rank Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt. Christina is the ASL Instructor at Northampton Community College and has volunteered numerous hours with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitations Summer Academy for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Christina is currently studying to be a Certified Deaf Interpreter. Christina strives to teach others about the rich offerings of her Deaf culture.

Empower Yourself!