Knightly News

Congratulations to the 2021/2022 Episcopal Newton Distinguished Faculty Award recipients!

Renee Crousillac
Lower School

Renee was nominated by Lower School Division Head Beth Gardner.

Renee believes in and promotes Episcopal’s mission of developing the “whole child.”  Like all teachers, Renee’s class is filled with a mix of individual personalities - from outgoing to shy, students with strengths and areas for growth, students with complex backgrounds and unique needs, students who are risk-takers and those who aren’t.  Renee meets children where they are, and over time and in encouraging ways, Renee nurtures and develops her student’s growth - spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, and artistically.  She fully understands and embraces the importance of developing the whole child.  When growth opportunities or difficult situations arise, she always lands on “What is best for this child?” and acts upon that.  She puts her students first, and her students thrive under her care.

Stacy Hill
Middle School

Stacy was nominated by Middle School Division Head Mark Engstrom.

In Stacy Hill’s classroom, the connections to the real world are palpable so the application of the learning is obvious. The challenges are clear and the resources and ideas available are abundant. The guidance is available, and encouragement is steady. When students feel all of those pieces around them, they are motivated to do their very best. Our sixth-grade students get to do that every day as the result of learning from and alongside Stacy Hill.

Clara Howell
Upper School

Clara was nominated by Upper School Division Head Tom Forti.

Personal connection is the key to Clara Howell’s success in the classroom. She is a master at building and sustaining relationships with her students, getting them to buy into the process. She is a passionate, knowledgeable educator with an obvious passion for all things history. Clearly, she loves what she does and her excitement for the success of her students is apparent and admirable. Clara also is remarkably good-humored, as well as extremely adaptable. Who else could say repeatedly last year – “I am having a really good year in the classroom.” Clara Howell could, and her students are very fortunate to have her.

Carl and Patty Newton with the Episcopal Newton Distinguished Faculty Award winners

An Award to Honor Excellence

The Newton Distinguished Faculty awards are made possible through a partnership with Patty and Carl Newton. The Newtons established the awards because of their belief that excellent teachers make a tremendous difference in the lives of students. Each of the three honorees receives a stipend to support the professional development opportunity of their choice.

This year, the Newton Distinguished Faculty reception returned to its original format. Honorees were recognized by school administrators and had the opportunity to speak with the Newtons.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding educators. Leave a comment in the comments section below.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.