Carmen Veller works with 9th-grade students Alex Fisher, Monte Coulter and Matt Gardner, from left, at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences on creating a Romeo and Juliet soundtrack incorporating figurative vs. literal ideas. Veller is one of three finalists in the high school teacher of the year competition.
ABOUT THE FINALIST Carmen VellerAge: 41Education: Bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; master’s degree in instructional leadership from Tennessee Tech UniversityYears in education: 19Years at CSAS: 19Family: Married to husband, Van”Everyone has to participate in democracy. Not just the smart kids. Not just the smart citizens. The best education for the best is the best education for all.” – teacher Carmen Veller
Carmen Veller works with 9th-grade students Alex Fisher, Monte Coulter and Matt Gardner, from left, at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences on creating a Romeo and Juliet soundtrack incorporating figurative vs. literal ideas. Veller is one of three finalists in the high school teacher of the year competition.Once they’ve read Romeo and Juliet, ninth graders in Carmen Veller’s English class begin a project to help synthesize what they’ve been reading.
She tells them they are going to create a soundtrack to Shakespeare’s play. They’ll have to come up with a list of songs, explain why they fit in with the theme of the play and create an album or CD cover. She assures them that content is just as important as appearance; non-artists need not worry.
As Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences students begin to brainstorm images that would represent the play’s themes – flowers, lightning bolts, celestial symbols – Veller makes her rounds to each table where groups of three or four students sit quietly while sketching ideas. She gives each student a few precious moments as she leans over and asks about their work. They share their ideas and look to her for approval. She offers kind words and constructive criticism.
The walls of Veller’s third-floor classroom are covered in student work, including essays on “The Hunger Games” and past art projects that she’s had students complete. She sees art and music as a way to reach kids who might not connect with words.