By Hanna Singh
A former Lincoln Parish school teacher is bringing fun and education to children and parents through her musical YouTube channel. Dionna LeBlanc, better known online as Teacher Dionna, combines her love for teaching, storytelling, and music to create videos that entertain and educate kids in Ruston and beyond.
On her channel, “Teacher Dionna,” LeBlanc reads stories, sings learning songs, and teaches with an energy that captivates children. Using silly voices, puppets and vibrant colors, she keeps her young audience engaged while helping them learn along the way. Dionna explained how her approach to teaching reaches children and their parents in a way that benefits their learning.
“I noticed that parents were sometimes overwhelmed trying to find things to do at home to continue the learning that was happening in school. My channel benefits both children and parents,” LeBlanc said. “The kids are learning from the content that I deliver. By modeling fun ways to read stories, sing songs, and do activities, the parents are also learning. They are learning how to engage in a fun way with their tiny human.”
LeBlanc’s journey to creating her channel began during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. At the time, she was in her 10th year of teaching pre-kindergarten and realized that her students needed more opportunities to learn from home. Inspired by her experience teaching English online to children in China, LeBlanc decided to create her YouTube channel to help her students stay connected during the transition to online learning.
“Everything ended so abruptly and there was no time for us teachers to game plan how this instruction should look,” LeBlanc said. “I have always loved reading and making learning entertaining. I put two and two together and started my Teacher Dionna YouTube channel.”
LeBlanc’s passion for helping children goes beyond learning academics. Influenced by figures like Mr. Rogers and Miss Rachel, she hopes to spread values of empathy and kindness through her work as well. Although as of now, her YouTube channel is focused on academic learning, her big picture goal is to be a voice of advocacy, kindness, love and joy for others.
“Although academic success in this world is very important, I truly believe that teaching and parenting has a bigger responsibility to helping these tiny humans navigate this life,” LeBlanc said. “Language development, social development, emotional regulation, and being able to show empathy are just as important.”
The “Teacher Dionna” channel has earned high praise from fellow educators. Some using her content for their own children and classrooms. Glen View Elementary School kindergarten teacher Deidra Scott explained what she finds special about LeBlanc’s work.
“Teacher Dionna has an incredible way of engaging the audience, drawing you in with her captivating storytelling style,” Scott said.
Local art teacher Renée Hunt shared a similar sentiment about the creator.
“Ms. Dionna is a charismatic early childhood teacher who inspires awe and wonder in young hearts and minds, turning curiosity into a love for learning that lasts a lifetime,” Hunt said.
To join in the fun, families can find “Teacher Dionna” videos on YouTube at Teacher Dionna – YouTube and Facebook at (1) Facebook , or by searching “Teacher Dionna.” Whether it’s a story, a song or a life lesson, LeBlanc’s channel serves as a resource for children and parents to learn and laugh together.
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