"Spelling is not primarily about rote memorization," says Remer. "It is about understanding the phonetic rules and the patterns behind different languages of origin, and internalizing those rules and the method of how to calmly, methodically, coolly dissect a word under pressure on stage and piece it back together. There is an art to that. A high drama."

Originally appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on June 2, 2017, written by Sabrina Eaton

Originally published in The Washington Post on May 30, 2017, written by Ian Shapira

Originally published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on March 6, 2010, written by Tom Feran

Originally published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on May 29, 2009, written by Diane Suchetka