by Patrica McGeever

There’s always conversation in Nicole Humphrey’s class at Mercy McAuley High School, but hardly a word is spoken aloud. She teaches American Sign Language (ASL), a new class offered this year.

“We learn the alphabet first,” Humphrey said, before her list of “‘survival signs’ … like ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘help,’ ‘bathroom’ and ‘water.’” Class starts with an activity or discussion, then the girls use ASL alphabet signs to play the Wordle New York Times game before new vocabulary is presented. Most of the time in class is
silent.

“When I’m teaching, I do it in ASL. We learn new words that way,” explained Humphrey. But when it comes to “the other important part of sign language, deaf culture in the community and learning about why we have this language to use and what life is like for deaf people, I speak through that because it’s a lecture.”

The students progressed enough to have short conversations with each other in class. They even learned the signs to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and went Christmas caroling in the school halls.

“I love this class so much,” said freshman Hannah Clevenger. “It’s so fun. You can learn so many cool things. It’s very interactive and I really like that. You learn something new every single day.”

Clevenger is one of 60 students, mostly freshmen, who signed up for the first year of this class, ASL 1. While some chose the class because it was new and different, it was more personal for others.

“One of my family members is actually deaf and I wanted to communicate with him on a higher level using ASL,” said sophomore Izzy Dunham. “Mercy McAuley has given me the opportunity to learn and grow and become a more inclusive person in general.”

ASL counts toward the two-year language requirement needed for graduation, and older students who’ve fulfilled the requirement can take ASL as an elective.
Advanced levels will be added each year until four years are offered.

While it’s her first year teaching, Humphrey has experience interpreting for a preschool and high school, holds an associate and bachelor’s degree in sign
language interpretation and is studying for her master’s in educational psychology. She says she’s loving her first year as a teacher.

“It’s been really fun, especially when you have a group that’s excited to learn,” she said. “They’re all in the same boat trying something new together. I’m trying
something new as well. It’s been a really special year so far.”

This article appeared in the January 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.