EIPA Cohort

Fall 2026 - NOW OPEN!

The Quill Model EIPA Cohort is a professional development experience created specifically for Educational Interpreters who are committed to strengthening their skills and increasing their confidence as they prepare for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). Whether you are just beginning your EIPA journey or working toward a higher score to meet state requirements, this cohort is designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with intention, clarity, and community.

Over the course of the program, participants engage in guided mentorship, collaborative learning, and structured practice sessions that focus on the core competencies assessed on the EIPA. These include receptive and expressive interpreting, vocabulary development, ethical decision-making, and strategies specific to working in K-12 educational settings. Each element of the cohort is purposefully crafted to support both the technical and professional aspects of educational interpreting, ensuring participants receive well-rounded, actionable feedback and support.

Our cohort model emphasizes connection and collaboration, creating a space where interpreters can grow together, share challenges, celebrate progress, and benefit from the expertise of experienced mentors. Participants will have access to curated resources, practice opportunities, and reflective discussions that promote deeper learning and practical application of skills.

At Quill Model, we believe that investing in your growth as an interpreter is not only about passing an assessment—it’s about becoming the most effective, ethical, and confident version of yourself in the classroom. This cohort is more than a study group; it’s a professional learning community designed to empower interpreters and elevate the quality of access for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Since launching this cohort, Susie’s mentees have maintained a 100% pass rate on the written exam and consistently earned a minimum score of 3.5 on the performance assessment.

Join us and take the next step in your interpreting journey with support, structure, and a community that’s rooting for your success.

Written Test Bundle

$375 per person

Includes 1.2 RID CEUs and 3 virtual workshops on ZOOM.:

What to Expect when You're Expecting...to take the EIPA: .4 RID CEUs - September 25th, 2026: 5pm - 9pm EST
Demand-Control Schema and Taking a Closer Look at the Educational Interpreter Code of Ethics: .6 RID CEUs - September 26th, 2026: 9am - 3pm EST
Q&A and Technology, Tutoring, and Professionalism: .2 RID CEUs - September 27th, 2026: 2pm - 4pm EST

Performance Test Bundle

$275 per person

Begins with a pre-assessment of skills and includes 5 1:1 ZOOM mentoring sessions. Participants will receive personalized feedback, targeted skill-building, and practical strategies for success on the performance exam. All mentoring sessions must be completed between October 1st and December 31st, 2026.

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Combined Test Bundle

$600 per person

Includes the 1.3 RID CEUs and 3 virtual workshops from the Written Test Bundle and the 5 1:1 ZOOM mentoring sessions from the Performance Test Bundle.

Meet Your Mentor

Susie Spainhour, M.Ed., NIC, EIPA 4.3

Susie Spainhour, M.Ed., NIC, EIPA 4.3 is an Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Proctor for Boys Town Research Hospital, an interpreter, a presenter, and mentors independently and for ASL OWL, Quill Model, Carter Hears!, and SCAD. Not only does Susie work on educating interpreters on how to do their job better, which can increase their quality of interpreting, but also, increasing their confidence in themselves can help motivate them to improve their skills. In addition to mentoring and other work, she takes time to volunteer for several South Carolina organizations and a national organization. She is a Nationally Certified Interpreter and holds an EIPA 4.3. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education: Interpreter Training Program, and a Master's degree in Special Education: Divergent Learners from Columbia College in Columbia, SC.