KELLER—
In the last six years, the Assistant Band Director Frank Chapple has mentored hundreds of students. He spends his days making musicians."I am basically responsible for all percussionists that will eventually graduate from Keller High School."
His days are unlike other teachers at Keller ISD. He shuttles between Keller High School, the intermediate and middle schools.
"I get to work with incredibly talented high school students who are on a college level," explains Chapple. "And then the same day maybe an hour later I go work with a 6th grader who just started."
When we visited Chapple he was teaching the basics to 6th grades at South Keller Intermediate. Those students are some of the youngest on his roster. The 11-year-olds tell us they respect and admire Mr. Chapple.
"He makes lots of jokes, but he's strict and he makes sure he knows what we're doing," says 6th grader Leila Ally.
"It's fun because I actually learn to play something," says fellow student Stephen Norrell. "It's not just random noise, and it's fun learning all the stuff."
Frank Chapple was nominated for Class Act because his lessons often carry over into the real world.
"I don't always feel like I'm teaching music. I feel like I'm using music and band in general to teach bigger things."
He says he's done his job if his students can stand proudly on the world's biggest stage. Life.
"I try and I hope that I can do what I can using their love of music to help them get through those hard times of their life."
