Peabody/Logos School Award

Caroline Zarinelli, 49, drama and band teacher at Community School in Ladue was just recognized as a Peabody/Logos Leader in Education. The prestigious award comes from the Peabody Energy Foundation and Logos School in Olivette.

Zarinelli receives a $1,000 education grant and will become a finalist for a $5,000 award from the organization at a banquet next August, headlined by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

Zarinelli, who has taught at Community School for 16 years incorporates music into all of her drama classes, including those for nursery school aged children.

"We include music in everything we do. We teach and talk a lot about listening and feeling certain patterns. This helps the children to absorb what I am trying to teach," she said. Zarinelli incorporates her ability to play the flute, piano and saxophone in these classroom lessons. "By using drama to create emotional learning experiences, a student becomes aware of being part of a project that is bigger than the individual, and they can take ownership for bringing it to life through research, creactivity and cooperation," said Zarinelli.

Catherine Haines, assistant head of school nominated the drama teacher for this award. "Caroline recognizes the hidden talents in children who need it the most," said Haines. "She is able to to nurture a creative voice and a growing confidence in each of her students," she said.

Zarinelli uses student-generated ideas connected to classroom studies to create original and child-centered performances. Last year, her sixth grade class wrote and performed a Civil War drama that was presented on the main stage of the Center of Contemporary Arts (COCA) in University City.

She has previously won national and regional awards for original productions including honors for the 2010 Faux Film Festival in Portland, Ore; the 2009 48-hour Film in Kansas City and the 2008 48-hour Film Project in St. Louis.

Peabody and Logos continue to celebrate and support the outstanding educators and mentors in the St. Louis Community. Alone in the past three years, Peabody has donated more than $450,000 to benefit the programs and missions of Logos School.