from WCS InFocus
A Mill Creek Middle School educator is among the state’s top art teachers.
Beth Perthel was named the Middle Level Art Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Art Education Association (TAEA) after being nominated by one of her peers, Fairview Middle School art teacher Michelle Vinci. The award is given to those who make outstanding contributions to art education in Tennessee.
“Beth is a natural mentor and model to other art teachers as well as a creative collaborator,” Vinci said. “All of these strong traits are not easily found in one person.”
Perthel will be recognized during the TAEA conference at the Memphis College of Art in October.
“I am very humbled to have been recognized for something I totally love to do,” Perthel said. “I have always said, ‘if you look where you are going, you will get there.’”
In addition to teaching art at MCMS, Perthel also supervises the yearbook. She strives to help students see the beauty in their surroundings and be as creative as possible.
“The ‘Creek is Rising,’ and I am smiling at Mill Creek Middle,” Perthel said. “I love my kiddos, and teaching art is a joy.”
