After 33 years of teaching English and journalism at Mooresville High School, Diana Hadley, left, becomes IHSPA's first assistant director beginning Aug. 15. "I look forward to doing something new that is also something old and dear to my heart . IHSPA president Kim Green (photo above), gives Diana a hug after the executive board approved the new position.

Hadley accepts new role;
becomes IHSPA's first
Assistant Director

New duties 'something new, old'
for former IHSPA president

   Diana Hadley will provide both clerical and administrative support for the IHSPA, said Dennis Cripe, executive director, who worked with Franklin College and the IHSPA to create the new position. For years, Arliene Britt, Pulliam School of Journalism secretary, provided clerical support for the IHSPA. Britt left her position in January. "We had the opportunity with Diana to fill the void left by Arliene and build in some wonderful leadership at the same time," Cripe said.

     Hadley believes journalism can provide students a total package of learning opportunities that is hard to match anywhere else the high school curriculum. She hopes to lead the IHSPA in ways to counter a trend in education away from creativity and toward and emphasis on "numbers" such as graduation rate, attendance and test scores. "I think many feel teaching ought to be more than that," Hadley told Press Review.

Here's the remainder of Press Review's interview with Hadley:
Q: After more than 30 years of teaching and advising at MHS what were your reasons for accepting the assistant director's job with the IHSPA?
     I think everyone should change jobs at least every 33 years. Actually, I have had several jobs, but with the exception of summer workshops they have all been at MHS. In addition to journalism, publications and broadcast, I have taught English and speech, and I have helped sponsor musicals, talent shows, and speech team. So there has been some variety despite some long tenures in publications.(newspaper, 33 years and yearbook, 23 years) A couple of years ago, I began to want to do something different and actually started looking beyond Pioneer country.
Q: What do you look forward to most regarding your new responsibilities?
       I look forward to doing something new that is also something old and dear to my heart . IHSPA and the people connected with it have been such a positive part of my life that I can hardly believe I have this opportunity to serve them on a more regular basis and thus communicate more often...for the next 33 years or so.
Q: What have your years in scholastic journalism taught you about high school journalism?
       Keep in mind I started as a 22-year-old with a degree in English and communications from Purdue University (not one of the top journalism schools in the country) and I was armed with one three-hour class called "Teaching High School Journalism." Like many advisers before and since, it was "learn as you go." I surprised myself at the end of that year when I realized theat whether I was good at it or not I had fallen in love with the job. Like any addiction I was hopelessly hooked to the point of starting my masters in journalism and agreeing to sponsor the yearbook. I know other teachers feel strongly about the subjects they teach. but I believe journalism can provide students a total package that includes: thinking, writing, leadership skills, and responsibility that is hard to match anywhere else the high school curriculum.
Q: How might the new position help you to make a differnce in the lives of advisers and student journalists?
        I think I've had enough experiences to provide insight and empathy for many different kinds of situations. If I have a gift it is probably enthusiasm--sometimes not appreciated by teenagers until noon or so but possibly helpful to advisers. So many people have helped me along the way. This is my chance to give something back.
Q: What has been the major change you've noticed in education during your enure as a classroom teacher. How has this change (or changes) impacted the classroom teacher and the journalism adviser?
      I have seen cycles of change, so I am comforted that even when I don't approve, the trends are generally temporary. The current emphais of numbers (test scores, attendance, and graduation rate) is disturbing to most of us who feel passionately that education has a lot more to do with personal connection, creativity, and inspiration. However, this too will pass. Let's just hope it's before it's difficult to ressusitate some of the great things that are being neglected. If journalism is going to survive, we are going to have to work hard.
Q: What will you miss most about your days as teacher and adviser?
      This is the "no brainer:" First, "my kids" but also the colleagues who have enriched my life more than I can explain.