This is an interview of Ms. Diana Newlon; she currently teaches ASL 1 & 2 as well as Music Appreciation for high school. Certain pieces of information have been reworded.

 

What degrees do you have / what college, universities did you go to?

Ms. Newlon:  I went to Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, CO.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry/Bible and Theology with many credits in Music and ASL.

 

What was your original teaching pursuit?

Ms. Newlon: American Sign Language(ASL); Choir and Drama.

 

How long have you been teaching?

Ms. Newlon: 20yrs+

What classes do you teach currently / have taught in the past?

Ms. Newlon: Music Appreciation, Digital Music, ASL, Chorus, Theater, Elementary Recorders, Elementary Music, and PE. Right now I teach ASL 1 & 2 and Music Appreciation.

 

Why did you decide to work at OHDELA?

Ms. Newlon: I was looking for a job and went to church with the first principal of OHDELA. We had a talk and he hired me to be the Admin Assistant for the Special Education Department. After a while I moved into a position as a Curriculum Specialist writing lessons and assignments for the High School Special Needs Department.

 

What does your future look like at OHDELA?

Ms. Newlon: In the future, I would just like to teach ASL.

 

How do you feel about teaching the first chorus in an online school in Ohio?

Ms. Newlon: Might not be just Ohio; it might be the first in the country, I mean this was something unheard of. NPR News did a story about me and the Chorus program which made its way all across America. When the producer for America's Got Talent heard about it, he called our principal asking if we would be on the show.  We were just beginning and weren’t ready for that; plus, Howard Stern was a judge and I didn’t think the parents of the students would want to be involved with him.  I am very proud of what students and I were able to do, it was a great opportunity and experience. 

 

How were you able to make chorus work in an online setting?

Ms. Newlon: It was difficult but the principal was on board and we made it happen. It’s a lot of work to teach chorus this way. We could not sing together online because of lagging issues; so, we would only meet in person twice a month, for practices. Before the school year began, we would have a 5 day camp where we would all get together to learn the drama parts and the music. It was a lot of work for all of us but it was also fun.

I would make most of the costumes myself at the office after work hours. Sometimes I would be there with my sewing machine until 2:00 AM.  In a brick and mortar school, you would have the students help with costumes and sets; but it is not really an option online. 

In order for them to practice at home, I had to make videos of the choreography (of myself dancing from the back so they could follow) and post them in my online class. My daughter saw a video and said “Mom you aren’t going to post that are you?” I responded with, “ I have to there’s no other way for them to learn the steps.”  I also had to make a recording for each of the singing parts. I would sing and post the soprano, alto, and tenor parts so they could learn them and we would put it all together at our in person practices. 

 

Would you ever teach chorus again?

Ms. Newlon: Yes, I would. But only if it was my only class.

 

Do you feel like an example to other teachers?

Ms. Newlon: I will just say that we all praise each other for the good things that we’ve done.

 

Do you feel that it’s difficult to teach your music and ASL classes online; if so, what are the limitations?

Ms. Newlon: For ASL you’re really missing out on signing with classmates, it’s hard to get students to come on camera so I can see them sign. In Music Appreciation they’re being taught about music; following many of the standards.  This is different from a brick and mortar class where they’re also being taught how to perform.

 

Do you know if you've had students that have found a passion, maybe even a career out of one of your classes?

Ms. Newlon: A few said they wanted to be music therapists and one student I have now says she may want to become an ASL interpreter. She picks up signs very quickly, and is great at signing; she definitely would be a great interpreter.