Skyler Portnoy

Skyler Portnoy brings together a lifelong passion for the arts, language, education, and community leadership in her work with Sign Language Academy of Cape Fear.

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Skyler’s passion for the arts began in childhood, when she found joy in writing, drawing, and painting. Years into developing her own artistic practice, she discovered something that gave her creativity a much deeper meaning: her great-grandmother, Silvia, had also been an accomplished artist. Silvia is remembered for her artistic talent, including the portraits she painted that remained treasured pieces in the family home, as well as for her commitment to activism and community. Although Skyler never had the opportunity to meet her, she has held onto that connection through art—a passion that became one of the ways she feels connected to the woman she was named after.

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Skyler’s connection to American Sign Language began at an early age. Her mother was introduced to ASL while seeking support for Skyler’s brother, who experienced a language delay. Although ASL was only a small part of Skyler’s childhood at the time, the experience stayed with her. Years later, while exploring colleges, she discovered that the University of North Carolina at Greensboro offered ASL courses. That opportunity reignited her interest and set her on a path toward a career in interpreting.

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Her first ASL instructor, Glenda Torres, recognized Skyler’s potential and encouraged her to pursue interpreting as a career. Skyler went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Interpreting with a minor in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During her time at UNCG, she participated in the Make a Difference Program, where she developed leadership skills and explored ways to serve her community. She also served on the university’s Hillel board, including two years as President, and participated in the university’s Leadership Challenge, earning both the Bronze and Silver Leadership Medals.

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For the past five years, Skyler has worked as an ASL Educational Interpreter in North Carolina. Through her work in educational settings, she has witnessed firsthand the struggles students can experience when language access, connection, and understanding are not consistently available. These experiences have shaped her belief in the importance of creating educational environments where students can communicate freely, build confidence, and feel truly understood.

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Skyler is excited to bring her professional experience, creativity, and passion for advocacy to the founding of Sign Language Academy of Cape Fear. She is especially passionate about helping build an educational environment where language, relationships, creativity, and exploration are woven into everyday learning.

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Outside of her work with the Academy, Skyler enjoys spending time with her dogs and expressing herself through painting, sculpting with clay, and writing. She loves finding creative ways to bring art into education and believes that learning should be engaging, meaningful, and memorable.