Knightly News

Louisiana is no stranger to the natural disasters experienced in other states this hurricane season. Events such as the flood of 2016 and Hurricane Ida leave lasting impacts on those who have lived them, including students and faculty/staff. At any given point, students may also be struggling with other concerns, from family loss and friend conflict to bullying or the expectation to achieve at a high level. These mental health stressors can significantly impact learning and healthy development.

Episcopal faculty and staff recently participated in a day of professional development dedicated to mental health, specifically bullying and suicide prevention and trauma-informed teaching. “Our teachers recognize how important this is,” says Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Dr. Sara Fenske. “Having opportunities to talk about what to do and get clarity helps.” Dr. Fenske says the training includes information on how chronic stress and trauma impact students and the behaviors associated with those stresses. “As adults on campus, we could encounter a student in crisis,” she says. “We need to know the signs and steps and what we can do.” 

The stated goal of the online portion of the professional development is to “help us better recognize and respond to individuals who are dealing with trauma, are being bullied, bullying others, and/or show signs of suicide ideation.” The material offers clear definitions of bullying, signs students may exhibit if they are being bullied or bullying others, as well as signs of trauma and suicide ideation. Importantly, the training gives teachers the protocol and steps to follow so that they know what to do. In addition to the online component, a guest speaker from the Louisiana chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention attended and offered advice to faculty/staff.

Readily Available Support

Having three full-time school counselors dedicated to student well-being greatly benefits Episcopal students and faculty/staff. These licensed experts are readily available if a teacher is concerned about a student. “We have so much support,” says Dr. Fenske regarding the resources available on campus. In addition to actively supporting students throughout the year, the counseling team also plays a significant role in this yearly teacher training. “The material is rich and robust because of their expertise,” she says. In addition to student well-being, Dr. Fenske points out that this training also reminds faculty/staff to be mindful of their own well-being as they support students and others in trauma.

The Bullying and Suicide Prevention and Trauma-Informed Teaching professional development is one example of the learning opportunities available through Episcopal’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning outlined by the five-year strategic plan. Next spring, faculty/staff will participate in another learning experience regarding healthy ways to navigate the online world and social media. In addition to these experiences, Episcopal teachers participate in various academic and social/emotional professional development experiences throughout the year.

Student safety and well-being are top priorities at Episcopal. A caring faculty/staff, a strong school counseling team and meaningful professional development experiences support those priorities so that students can be their best.

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.