A Love of Language, A Gift for Connection

Some people step into a classroom and teach. Others step in and leave a lasting imprint on every child they meet. At CCHAT, Jeanette Castro Hachmeister has become just that kind of presence.

A Journey Rooted in Purpose

After a remarkable 18-year career as a teacher of the deaf at Child’s Voice in Illinois, Jeanette found her way to Rancho Cordova to be closer to her grandson. What began as a simple visit to CCHAT quickly turned into something much more meaningful. Since that first day, Jeanette has dedicated her Thursdays to our students - bringing stories to life, filling classrooms with music, and creating moments of joy that support language growth in powerful ways.

The Power of Music and Language

Jeanette’s path to this work has always been rooted in connection. Over her 47 years in the classroom, she discovered something transformative: songs could unlock learning. By engaging both sides of the brain, music became a bridge, making language more accessible, memorable, and fun for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. That philosophy still shines through in everything she does today.

Each week, Jeanette thoughtfully aligns her lessons with CCHAT’s thematic units, phonics goals, and vocabulary targets. Her phonics and alphabet activities are filled with humor, creativity, and encouragement, creating an environment where learning feels joyful and natural.

Moments That Matter

For Jeanette, the reward is simple but profound: helping students fall in love with stories and songs while expanding their imagination.

And sometimes, those moments of growth appear in the most beautiful ways. During a lesson on multiple-meaning words, a student confidently shared, “Orange can be a fruit and a color.” A small sentence, but a powerful reflection of understanding, language development, and confidence.

Encouragement for Families

Jeanette knows that the journey for families of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing can feel overwhelming at first. Her advice is grounded in experience and compassion - connect with others who have walked this path. There is comfort, guidance, and hope in shared experiences.

She also understands deeply why early intervention matters. Children begin hearing language even before they are born, and for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, early access to sound and language helps close that gap, opening doors to communication, confidence, and connection.

To Jeanette, success goes far beyond academics. It looks like friendships. It looks like participating in everyday moments - ordering food, joining classmates, and navigating the world with confidence. It’s about building a life where communication is not a barrier, but a bridge.

A Lasting Impact on the CCHAT Community

Jeanette’s impact extends beyond the students she works with each Thursday. Her warmth, dedication, and unmistakable joy uplift the entire CCHAT community. She celebrates every success, big or small, encouraging students to “kiss your brain” and leading them in her joyful “hooray” song when they accomplish something new.

Staff members look forward to her visits just as much as the students do, inspired by her passion and grateful for the experience she brings.

In every song she sings, every story she shares, and every child she encourages, Jeanette is helping shape something lasting. We are incredibly fortunate that what started as a visit became a commitment and that Jeanette chose to spend her Thursdays with us.

Because at CCHAT, it’s people like Jeanette who turn learning into something magical.