Carissa completed her study of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education at Western Oregon University and graduated with an MS in Education and an initial teaching license in June of 2017. She earned a Pre-K through 21 endorsement in Deaf Education, as well as middle and high school endorsements to teach Social Studies and English/Language Arts.

Carissa taught at a charter school for children who had been adjudicated, and then moved to take a position at Northwest Regional Educational Service District as an itinerant teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

She also works on bilingual study-guides for DHH children (surrounding Self-Advocacy, Language Arts, and Social Studies at MrsMartosTeaches and through Engage-Ed, LLC.