2018-2019 Newton Distinguished Faculty Award Recipients Named

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 Newton Distinguished Faculty Award recipients!

• Martha Guarisco, Sixth Grade English Teacher
• Dr. Rebecca Kuhn, AP Psychology Teacher, Global and Social Studies Director
• Christy Talbot, Fifth Grade Math Teacher

​Each year, Episcopal awards the Newton Distinguished Faculty Awards to three faculty members in recognition of their positive impact on students. This year’s recipients were recognized at a reception in which the award founders, Patty and Carl Newton and their daughter Nicole ’13, were present. Head of School Hugh McIntosh, members of the school’s Administrative Council and past award recipients were also in attendance.

Patty and Carl Newton established the Newton Distinguished Faculty Awards six years ago because of their belief that excellent teachers make a difference in the lives of students. Each year, three Newton Distinguished Faculty recipients are selected and awarded a stipend for professional development opportunities of their choice.

Read more about this year’s recipients below.

Martha Guarisco is a National Board Certified English Language Arts teacher and freelance writer.  Prior to joining the faculty at Episcopal in 2004, she taught in Ascension Parish, where she was Teacher of the Year.  She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in English literature and her M.Ed. in English education from Louisiana State University. One of her particular areas of recent study is literature’s effect on adolescents’ empathy development.

Dr. Rebecca Kuhn, Global and Social Studies Director, Exchange Program Coordinator, and AP Psychology teacher, has taught social studies classes at Episcopal since 2016 including AP World History, World History, US History, and US Government.  Prior to moving to Baton Rouge, she lived and taught high school in South Korea and South Florida. She holds degrees from Sterling College, The University of Kansas, and Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Kuhn enjoys travelling, reading, and singing. She is married to Dr. Alan Newton.

Christy Talbot began her teaching career as a first grade teacher in East Baton Rouge Parish. She joined the Lower School team at Episcopal in 1997 and taught third grade for 16 years. In 2013, she moved to the departmentalized fifth grade team to teach math. Christy holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Louisiana State University. She currently serves as the Lower School Math Coordinator and Grade Level Chair. She loves teaching math and encouraging her students to become problem solvers and critical thinkers.

Past Recipients Include:

2017-2018
Joan Moroney
Cory Lemoine
Julie Weaver

2016-2017
Karin deGravelles
Sara Fenske
Sergio Ramos

2015-2016
Stephen Anderson
Vincent Hoang
Kate Trepagnier

2014-2015
Kealy Duke
Scott Engholm
​Sarah Pulliam

2013-2014
Victoria Alvarez
Angie Edwards
​Kathy Morden

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​The Episcopal 2019-2020 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.

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