Knightly News

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Michelle Grantham-Caston has been named the next Head of Lower School. Highly regarded in the Episcopal community, Michelle has served as the Assistant Head of Lower School for the past three years. After a national search, Michelle will replace current division head Beth Gardner, who will relocate to Texas after this school year.

Dr. Michelle Grantham-Caston earned a doctorate, master's and bachelor’s degree in curriculum and instruction, early childhood education from Louisiana State University. Before joining Episcopal, Dr. Grantham-Caston was the Director of the LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool. She has been published in a variety of well-respected publications. Dr. Grantham-Caston has received grants from a variety of organizations, such as the Nora Roberts Foundation, Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Academic Distinction Fund. She is an adjunct faculty member of Baton Rouge Community College and LSU. Dr. Grantham-Caston has consulted and presented extensively regarding early childhood best practices. She is actively involved in her community, serving in various roles including on the Louisiana Early Learning and Development Standards Review Committee, on the Louisiana Department of Education Teacher Leader Advisory Committee and as an LSU Distinguished Communicator Review Panelist. Dr. Grantham-Caston is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Louisiana Association for the Education of Young Children and a Louisiana Farm to School member.

As she prepares to step into her new role next school year, I want you to have the opportunity to get to know Michelle more. She shares her thoughts on Lower School and leadership below.

What do you love most about Episcopal? About Lower School?

At Episcopal, I love working with the students, teachers, and families who make this community so extraordinary. I believe that at Episcopal we truly see and celebrate each child through the opportunities and experiences we provide. Our teachers lead with both expertise and heart, creating classrooms filled with engagement, joy, curiosity, and belonging.  The Lower School is a special place for learning, but more than that, it is a community built on relationships. At Episcopal, children are known, supported, and inspired, and I’m honored to help guide the division where those foundational experiences take shape within the whole child. 

In your opinion, what is the most important thing that schools can do to support the growth and development of students?

The foundation of any school is built on the mission, and here at Episcopal, nurturing the whole child through academic and co-curricular programs is key. In the Lower School, we create age-appropriate classroom environments where every child feels welcome, valued, and supported. When students experience genuine belonging, they are more willing to take intellectual risks, engage deeply, and persevere through academic and social challenges. Episcopal has many offerings and opportunities for students to be engaged and valued through the performing arts, athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities. This sense of belonging fosters the development of the whole child. 

How do you plan to create a school culture that promotes academic excellence while also promoting social-emotional well-being among students?

My goal is for teachers to feel empowered to bring out the best in every child, so that students grow as curious, confident, playful, and joyful learners. For that to happen, the division head must cultivate a culture where everyone feels connected, valued, and inspired in their work at Episcopal. That sense of belonging should extend to every member of our Episcopal community, from our smallest Knights to our most veteran staff. 

How do you plan to support the professional development and growth of teachers and staff?

My approach centers on listening closely to teachers and providing meaningful, differentiated professional learning. I believe that when educators feel valued, supported, and empowered, they bring their best selves to students. We already have a strong collaborative culture where teachers learn from and rely on one another, and I will continue to foster that environment, so teachers feel confident that leadership is invested in their success. Professional development should be aligned with both instructional rigor and the developmental needs of our students and staff. That alignment is essential for creating a community where everyone can grow with purpose and clarity.

Michelle brings an impressive depth of experience and expertise to this role, but what I appreciate most about her is her exceptional work ethic and steadfast commitment to supporting our faculty in their mission to educate young minds. Beth Gardner has been an extraordinary educator whose leadership has driven meaningful, lasting improvements in Lower School, and I am confident that Michelle will build upon this strong foundation and continue advancing these initiatives to the next level.

Please join me in welcoming Michelle to her new role and wishing Beth all the best as she begins her next chapter. The future of Lower School remains bright, and we could not be more excited for the leadership, vision and heart that Michelle brings to our students and faculty. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Carrie Steakley
Head of School

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