Knightly News

Flexible seating and calm lighting create a cozy environment for reading in fifth grade reading teacher Amy Arceneaux’s classroom. While the space and the grade may be new for Arceneaux, she is right at home at Episcopal after teaching third graders for 30+ years.

A 1987 Episcopal graduate, Arceneaux lights up when discussing her new role as a Lower School reading teacher. “I get so excited about reading,” she says with a smile. An avid reader herself, she enjoys a good historical fiction novel. Now, she is thrilled to combine her enthusiasm for reading with her passion for teaching children. “I love what I do,” she says. “I love to watch them grow up. I get excited about reading because a good book can open up new worlds and perspectives,” she says. In the classroom, she hopes to help her students find books that spark their curiosity and show them how reading can stay with them long after they’ve turned the last page. “One of the best parts is watching my students grow, not just as readers, but as people,” says Arceneaux.

Arceneaux has been watching Episcopal students grow up for three decades, but her roots with the school run even deeper. She first joined the Episcopal community as a ninth grader after living in Michigan for many years. Big changes can be tough, but Arceneaux says she found the Episcopal community welcoming. She played basketball and was the team captain her senior year. She even held the Episcopal record for most rebounds for many years. Later, in her 20s, Arceneaux served as the head junior varsity basketball coach for several years. She also made lifelong friendships, and even now, her closest friends are former classmates.

A Family Affair

“Home is where the heart is,” says Arceneaux, and home for her is Episcopal. She will celebrate her 40-year class reunion next year, an occasion that is sure to be memorable because she taught many of her classmates’ children. After so much time in the classroom, her role as a teacher has made her an extended part of many Episcopal families, and she cherishes the strong bonds that have formed. “This is a loving community,” she says. “It’s a community of people who really want the best for you.”

One of those people who really wanted the best for Episcopal students was Arceneaux’s mom, Anne Weidig. Weidig was a longtime Episcopal English teacher and served as head of the English Department; many alumni still remember her positive impact today. Arceneaux is proud to have followed in her mom’s footsteps. In addition, her father, Charles, also tutored at Episcopal. Her sister, Laura Weidig, also graduated from Episcopal in 1986. The family legacy continues now through Arceneaux and her daughter, Ellie, a 2021 graduate.

A Lifelong Learner

Even with such a wealth of experience, Arceneaux continues learning about the latest developments in education. This summer, she attended the New Frontiers in Reading and Writing Summer Institute through the Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower. The experience was inspiring, and Arceneaux says the workshop provided educators with ways to encourage students to think deeply and critically about what they’re reading, something she looks forward to doing in her fifth grade classroom. As a 2026 Newton Distinguished Faculty Award recipient, she used the stipend to fund her recent professional development. 

Amy is also a National Board Certified teacher, a rigorous achievement held by approximately 4% of educators nationwide. The process asks teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and provide evidence of their classroom practice and its impact on student learning. Ten years after initially earning the certification, she completed the renewal process, reflecting on her continued professional growth. In addition to teaching, Arceneaux has served in numerous roles at Episcopal, including the Head of School Advisory Committee, numerous search committees, Eucharistic minister and mentor to fellow teachers. 

Beyond her Episcopal family, Arceneaux enjoys spending time with her own family, including her husband, daughter, three stepchildren and two grandchildren. In addition to a good book, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places. 

Nurturing faculty dedicated to lifelong learning and supporting the next generation make Episcopal a special place to learn and grow. No doubt, after 30 years, Arceneaux has positively impacted countless Knights. If she made a difference for you or your child, share a message of gratitude with her in the comments section below.

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