Jerome Cushman (born Jerome Jon Cushman, May 31, 1939, Platteville, Wisconsin, U.S.A.), retired teacher of theater, dance, and English at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Originated the Robert F. Panara Haiku Contest for students at NTID and the Tsukuba College of Technology in Japan and frequently presents haiku in American Sign Language at conferences and festivals. Cofounded the Rochester Area Haiku Group and the Cradle of American Haiku conference series. Published Amidst, a collection of haiku, and completed a biography of Murikami Kijō in 2011. Lives in Victor, N.Y., and Mineral Point, Wis.