My name is Ms. Catherine "CJ" Mitchell and I am your Art Teacher here at Carnahan STEAM. My passion for art and psychology shaped the early stages of my academic journey.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Spelman College, followed by a Master's in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  During my time working with families at a community health agency in Chicago, I realized I wanted to make a broader impact, leading me to pursue a career in education.

I earned a Masters of Science in Special Education from City College of New York and gained experience teaching in a variety of classroom settings- from elementary to high school-inclusive of self-contained, collaborative team teaching, and English Language Arts and Reading environments. My career also took me abroad, where I taught in the UK across primary, secondary, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classrooms.

In addition to classroom teaching, I spent several years working in museum education, with a focus on contemporary art and community engagement. During that time, I developed and facilitated programs for diverse audiences, including families, senior organizations, and various community-based groups – helping participants connect with art in meaningful, accessible ways.  

I am excited joining the Carnahan STEAM Middle School community and look forward to working with students through the arts while collaborating with families and colleagues to foster creativity and growth.