About us:

Psalm 37:4 reads: Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  This scripture truly defines “Heart Sign” for us… our desire is to bridge the gap between the hearing and the deaf in our community and our state. Heart Sign was formed as a non-profit organization in 2005 by Mark and Kimann England to provide classes, workshops, retreats, and camps for anyone who has a need or desire to use sign language.  We are focused on helping the family (especially blended families with both deaf and hearing), interpreters, teachers, and churches to advance the communication and education of the deaf, and those who live or work with the deaf. We also train volunteers and provide opportunities for groups to volunteer.  

            Mark was born to a Deaf mother, Jean England. Although he could hear, his first language is sign language. Being a CODA (child of deaf adult) meant that Mark experienced life a bit differently than others. He has a unique ability to communicate with the deaf and is most comfortable when he is signing. Mark has a bachelor of science in education, and for 8 years he worked as an athletic trainer in the public schools in Texas . He has volunteered as a trainer for TSD and also worked in the Behavior Support Department at TSD ( Texas School for the Deaf), working with deaf students, coaches, teachers, and administrators. In 1998 Mark began a career in the nutrition industry. His most productive business efforts were seen when he was working with Deaf distributors and Deaf customers. Mark sponsored the first Deaf distributor in his company and together, they were responsible for that company’s understanding of how to offer opportunity to the Deaf (tty, closed captioning, interpreters, and video relay). Mark also has worked with the outreach evangelism program at his church, where he served as the liason to the Deaf. Mark’s dad, Don England, is an interpreter for the Deaf and holds many high honors in that area. Don has been involved in Deaf ministry at his church since 1959. Mark has “watched” his daddy preach his entire life!

            Kimann grew up in the “hearing world”. Born into a family focused on football (her father and brother NFL coaches), she has always had a place in her heart for sports. Kimann has a bachelor of science in in education, and for 9 years she worked as a teacher and coach in the public schools in Texas . Coaching and encouraging others brings her joy, especially when the impact reaches past the students and to their families. Her introduction to sign language occurred when she met Mark in 1994. “I fell in love with Mark and his family. Communicating with Jean was NOT something I wanted someone to do for me. I learned sign language because I loved someone who was Deaf---Jean.”  From 1998-2009 she used sign language when working with Deaf distributors in business. She volunteers as an interpreter at church. In 2007 she became a teacher at regional day school for the deaf,  and  worked as an itinerant teacher for deaf and deaf blind students, along with teaching deaf first graders. In 2008-2009 she taught Middle School History at Texas School for the Deaf.

            The Englands have 6 children: Kyleigh:19, Kaitlyn:14, Kendra:13, Andrew:9, Philip:6 and JohnMark:4.  There are usually other children at the England home--- a niece or a nephew living there, or just other children coming to visit. They believe wholeheartedly that children are a gift from God, and are called to minister to children and their families.

            Heart Sign became reality for us shortly after Mark’s mother passed away. We were praying for God to show us how sign language “fit” into our lives after losing Jean; and at that same time we also committed our lives to Him in complete ministry for whatever use He desired. Then we began praying for Him to reveal to us the desire of our hearts---and His desire and ours became one: to reach out to His children (whatever age they may be), that communicate in sign language. He has opened doors for us to minister to deaf, CODAs, interpreters, and families of the deaf. Our 501c3 (IRS non-profit status) was approved by the government 4 months faster than the average approval---so we are off and running! We have moved our family to Goliad, Texas to join forces with family members and community members to build Heart Sign. Mark is working as the department head for Special Education at Goliad High School and as a high school coach. Kimann is working at Goliad Elementary and has established bi-weekly ASL classes for both Youth and adults in Goliad. She will be teaching ASL as a foreign language at Goliad High School starting in the fall of 2010.
            Thanks for visiting our site. We look forward to visiting with you! Let us know how we can be of help to you or a family member/friend, and please let us know if you are interested in classes, volunteering, or donating.

            May God bless your heart!

The Englands
Front Row: John Mark, Philip, Kyleigh, Andrew and Mark.
Back Row: Kimann, Kendra and Kaitlyn.