Lower School

Amy Weidig Arceneaux '87. Third grade teacher.
Bachelor of Arts: Guilford College in Greensboro

Amy Weidig Arceneaux has been teaching third grade at Episcopal for more than 25 years. She is a graduate of Episcopal High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a National Board Certified teacher and Grade Level Coordinator.

Lauren Bilskie. Third grade teacher.
bachelor's degree in elementary education: University of Central Florida

Lauren Bilskie has been teaching third grade at Episcopal since 2016. Prior to coming to Episcopal, she taught at a charter school in Central Florida. Lauren earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education at the University of Central Florida. Lauren loves teaching third grade and finding ways to integrate technology into the curriculum. Lauren is both Apple Teacher certified and a certified Google Educator.

Margaret Penniman Boudreaux '72.
​studied Liberal Arts at Rhodes, Newcomb, and  Centenary Colleges

Margaret Penniman Boudreaux is a 1976 graduate of Episcopal who studied Liberal Arts at Rhodes, Newcomb, and  Centenary Colleges. While rearing her children, Elliott, Episcopal class of 2010 and Anne, Episcopal class of 2014, she served as a parent volunteer. She is a former member of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Visitors. She has taught fifth grade Language Arts since 2006, by and far her favorite position at Episcopal. She is trained in the strategies of Responsive Classroom, Guided Reading, Writer’s Workshop, and Project Based Learning.

Travis Bourgeois.
Episcopal HEad Coach Head Coach since 2000

Travis Bourgeois joined Episcopal in 1995 and has been the school’s Head Coach since 2000. He is the winningest coach in Episcopal football history with an overall record of 114-72. He has led two teams to the state semifinals (2002 and 2013) and was named Class AA Coach of the Year in 2002. His 2011 and 2013 teams set the school record for wins with 11 and the 2013 team went undefeated during the regular season winning the District 6-AA title outright for the first time in school history. He was also the Head Girls Basketball Coach for 15 years and was selected the class AA Coach of the Year in 2007 while leading the Knights to semi-final berths in 2006 and 2007. In 2015, he took over as Head Baseball Coach and has a three-year record of 63-29. His 2016 and 2017 teams reached the state quarterfinals and finished with a school record 24 wins in both seasons. The Knights have also won back to back district championships. Coach Bourgeois is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He resides in Baton Rouge with his wife Sheila (Francise) and three daughters; Bailey (18), Annslee (14) and Elaine (10). All three daughters attended Episcopal.

Kristen Cascio. PreK teacher.
Bachelor of Science in early childhood education: Louisiana State University

Kristen Cascio joined the Episcopal Lower School team in 2012 and began teaching PreK-3 in 2014. Prior to that, she taught third grade for two years. Kristen earned her Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from Louisiana State University, concentrating in grades PreK-3 through third grade. Before coming to Episcopal, she taught second grade in an inclusive classroom at Bains Elementary in St. Francisville, Louisiana for four years. She is passionate about nurturing the whole child and supporting their growth in mind, body, and spirit.

Liz Crawford. fourth grade teacher.
master’s degree: University of Alabama

Liz Crawford has been a fourth grade teacher at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge since 2012.  Before that, she taught for eight years in the Parochial School System in Baton Rouge.  In addition to her role in the classroom, Liz is the Upper School Cheerleading Coach. Liz earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama. Because of her strong desire to impact children’s lives in a meaningful way, she continued her education, receiving her K – 8 teacher’s certification.  Liz strives to instill in her students a love of reading and the desire to become lifelong learners.

Renee Crousillac. Second grade teacher.
masTER'S IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Renee Crousillac has been an educator for more than 25 years. In 1996, she joined the Episcopal staff as a second grade teacher.  Renee earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education, kindergarten – 8th grade, from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree from LSU in curriculum and instruction, in addition to Gifted Certification and Supervisor of Student Teaching. In 2006, she became a National Board Certified Teacher and recently renewed her certification in 2015. Renee enjoys instilling the love of learning in each of her students every day!

Katie Davis. PREK TEACHER.
Bachelor of Science: Louisiana State University

Katie Davis is a well-rounded educator with experience in project-based learning, responsive classroom management, Singapore Math and classroom technology. Most recently she was a kindergarten through fourth grade art teacher at River Oaks Baptist School in Houston. In her role as art teacher, Katie coordinated the Lower School Grandparents Day Art Show, consisting of 400 pieces of student artwork. She has also taught Lower School math, social studies, reading and spelling, and assisted with coaching volleyball, basketball and track. Katie earned a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the National Art Educators Association and the Texas Computer Education Association.

Tricia Delony. Lower SCHOOL Music.
music education and special education: Louisiana State University

Tricia Delony joined the Episcopal staff in 2014 as the Lower School Music Teacher after having taught grades kindergarten through eighth for 32 years in the East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System. She loves coming to work each day to see how she can open up the possibilities and world of singing, movement and instruments to Episcopal’s youngest Knights. Her lessons incorporate various schools of philosophy including Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze. Tricia is a graduate of Louisiana State University with certifications in music education and special education.

Albina Denisyuk. LOWER SCHOOL FRENCH.
Master'S IN SECONDARY EDUCATION: Towson University

Albina Denisyuk studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, before completing her undergraduate degree in modern languages and linguistics (French and Russian) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She later earned a Master of Arts in teaching, secondary education from Towson University in Towson, Maryland. Albina served for eight years as a Language Assistant in French public schools in Académie Aix-Marseille, France.  She has teaching experience at the Lower, Middle and Upper school levels. Albina enjoys the project-based learning approach and regularly finds opportunities to incorporate technology into lessons, including videos and interactive games.

Eric DiMari. fifth grade science.
master’s in educational administration: Louisiana State University

Eric DiMari is a fifth grade science and social studies teacher at Episcopal.  He has been an elementary teacher for over twenty years, teaching grades second through fifth.  Eric also served as an elementary school administrator for eight years. He has a master’s degree in educational administration from Louisiana State University.

Kelly Dorris. second grade teacher.
Bachelor'S in education: Louisiana State University

Kelly Dorris taught at Episcopal from 1994 to 1998 as a Lower School second grade teacher. During that time she was married and started her family. She returned to Episcopal in 2007 after some time at home with her daughters. Kelly is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in education. Kelly practices Responsive Classroom and Project Based Learning in her classroom community.  She believes in a child-centered learning environment where the teacher guides the students to their learning.

Emily Godfrey '98. second grade teacher.
master’s in education: Louisiana State University

Emily Godfrey has been at Episcopal since 2014 and is currently a Lower School second grade teacher.  Emily is a graduate of Episcopal and received her master’s in education from Louisiana State University with a minor in English/Language Arts.  Emily believes in an engaging, child-centered learning environment where the teacher guides the students toward discovery and actively making connections as a learner.

NANCY GRIFFIN. FOURTH grade teacher.
BACHELOR’s in HISTORY AND DANCE: University OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

Nancy Griffin teaches fourth grade math and social studies. A native of California, Nancy earned bachelor’s degrees in both history and dance at the University of California, Irvine. She earned an elementary teaching credential after completing graduate studies at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Before teaching at Episcopal, Nancy also taught in New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Minnesota. Nancy is a member of the Baton Rouge Symphony Chorus and the St. James Episcopal Church choir. She is an avid traveler, having visited 49 of the 50 states in the last few years, eight South American countries and China. Nancy has two children, Patrick and Julia, who are both graduates of Episcopal.

Heather Harpole. first grade teacher.
master’s in education: Louisiana State University

Heather Harpole has been a first grade teacher at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge since 1996.  Heather serves as the Grade Level Chairperson and runs the Lower School aquatics program. A lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master’s in education including certification in academically gifted from Louisiana State University. Heather is passionate about developing a love of reading and learning in children. She strives daily to challenge every child in their own way and she recognizes that every child has their own special gifts. Apart from teaching, Heather is passionate about fitness and staying healthy, traveling, and reading.

HEIDI HEBERT. LOWER SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION. HEAD SOFTBALL COACH.
BACHELOR'S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

Heidi Hebert has been at Episcopal since 2000 and has served as the Head Softball Coach since 2004. She attended Mississippi College where she played softball while earning her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Upon graduating, Heidi became a graduate assistant for the Mississippi College Lady Choctaw softball team. In addition to her role as Episcopal Head Softball Coach, Heidi also teaches Lower School physical education and is the Physical Education Department Chair.  She also coaches and coordinates the Middle School softball program and serves as the Aquatics Director. Heidi and her husband Jeff have three children Kaylan and Jack attending Louisiana Tech and Drew, an Episcopal Knight.

SARA HENDERSON. KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Sara Henderson joined the Episcopal team in 2015 as a kindergarten teacher in the Lower School. Before teaching at Episcopal, she taught kindergarten for 12 years in the local school district. Sara earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education at Louisiana State University. She continued her education and was selected for the Holmes program, earning a master’s in education with an emphasis in early childhood development. Sara enjoys working with some of our littlest Knights and encouraging them to become problem solvers and critical thinkers.

JENNY HEROMAN KOENIG '01. LOWER SCHOOL RELIGION TEACHER.
BACHELOR'S IN MASS COMMUNICATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Jenny Heroman Koenig is a proud 2001 graduate of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge.  She returns to her alma mater as a Lower School Religion Teacher.  Jenny earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with a minor in sociology from Louisiana State University.  She has eleven years of experience as a television journalist in Baton Rouge and Gonzales. Jenny always had a desire to teach and eventually followed that calling by earning a teacher certification from the Teach Ascension Academy Certification Program.  Jenny began her teaching career as a second grade teacher at Donaldsonville Primary School. Jenny is also active in the community as a member of the Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, Baton Rouge Women in Media and the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association.  She has received numerous honors including the 2014 Individual of the Year Award from the Ascension Chamber of Commerce and the opportunity to be the Honorary Ascension Parish President on “Jenny Heroman Day”. When she’s not teaching, Jenny enjoys theatre and music and is the lead singer of the Something Blue Band.

CORY LEMOINE. FIRST GRADE TEACHER.
BACHELOR'S IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Cory Lemoine is a first grade teacher who began his career in the classroom in 2003.  As a graduate of Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Cory taught second and third grades for ten years in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.  His journey continued to the Zachary Community School System for three years in first grade before joining the faculty at Episcopal. He is a dedicated member of the Capital Area Reading Council and Louisiana Reading Association.  In his free time, he likes to travel, garden, read, craft, and enjoy time with family and friends.

RENEE KENT LEWIS. KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: cHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERSITY IN MEMPHIS

Renee Kent Lewis attended Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee earning a master’s degree in the art of teaching and early childhood education.  Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in family and child sciences from Florida State University. Renee is a graduate of Harvard University’s Project Zero Summer Institute and is Orton-Gillingham Level I certified from the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education.  Renee joins Episcopal from Presbyterian Day School in Memphis, Tennessee.

JULIE MENDES '01. PREk TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN  EDUCATION: TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Julie Mendes, a 2001 graduate of Episcopal, returned to teach PreK-4 at her alma mater in 2012. She received both her undergraduate degree and MEd in elementary education at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. After teaching second grade in a Dual Language program in Texas public schools for three years, Julie moved abroad to teach first grade at a bilingual school in Gracias, Lempira Honduras. Julie enjoys teaching alongside some of her former teachers and seeing what life is like on the other side of the desk.

KAREN MURCHISON. PREk TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Karen Murchison joined Episcopal in 2013 to teach PreK-3 for its inaugural year. Previously, she taught kindergarten for several years in both Louisiana and Arkansas. Karen graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in finance. After dabbling in banking, she returned to school where she earned her M.Ed. in early childhood education from the University of Arkansas. Karen enjoys teaching, growing, and learning alongside her coworkers.

SHANNON PESSON. THIRD GRADE TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS

Shannon Pesson joined Episcopal in 2014 as a third grade teacher and has been an educator for more than 23 years.  She earned her Bachelor of Science from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and her master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of New Orleans.  Before coming to Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, she taught second grade in New Orleans for 19 years. Shannon’s classroom environment is one that allows the students to have fun while learning and challenges the students in every aspect of the curriculum.

LAURA PORTWOOD. lOWER SCHOOL RELIGION TEACHER.
BACHELOR'S IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY

Laura Portwood has served in many roles within the Episcopal community including parent, volunteer, substitute teacher and faculty member. For more than 20 years she has held leadership positions within Parents’ Guild and Squires, including President of each organization. She still currently assists Parents’ Guild as a member of the Directory Committee and lends a hand to Squires as the Faculty Liaison. As the Lower School religion teacher, Laura works with our youngest Knights in a truly meaningful manner. She also works with the Leveled Literacy Intervention program to support students who need additional assistance with reading. Laura earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has been married to Bud since 1990 and they have two children, Sara ʼ10 and Dell ʼ17.

LAURA SMITH. PREK TEACHER.
BACHELOR'S IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Laura A Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University. She began her teaching career at Cedar Crest Elementary where she created and implemented a unit-based learning curriculum. Laura has been actively involved with the Episcopal community serving as a long-term substitute teacher, and mother of two Episcopal students, Grant and Amelia.

CHRISTY TALBOT. FIFTH GRADE MATH TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

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.

MARY-KATHRYN VEY. FIRST GRADE TEACHER.
BACHELOR'S IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Mary-Kathryn Vey joined the Episcopal faculty in 2015 as a first grade teacher.  Before joining Episcopal, she taught first grade for six years in Mississippi and received the Teacher of the Year Award in 2013.  Mary-Kathryn graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in child development. She continued her education and obtained a second degree in the area of elementary education. Mary-Kathryn is passionate about creating lifelong learners and enjoys instilling the love of reading in each of her students.

ROSALYN WON. FOURTH GRADE TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Rosalyn Won began her teaching career in 2001.  Prior to coming to Episcopal in 2013, she taught at independent schools in New York City and Los Angeles.  She is currently a fourth grade science teacher and previously taught second grade. Rosalyn earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at Whitman College and her master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education at New York University.  She loves teaching science and finding ways to integrate technology and other subjects into the curriculum. ​

CATHERINE WORD. LOWER SCHOOL LIBRARIAN.
MASTER'S IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Catherine Word is the Lower School Librarian. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama and her Masters of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University.  Before coming to Episcopal, she taught first grade and eighth grade English and was a Middle School Librarian. Catherine not only loves to help students fall in love with reading, but also creates an environment of creativity and exploration through participation in Maker Space. Her passion motivates her to stay current with library science skills to enhance student creativity and exploration through participation in programs such as Worlds of Making Makerspace Admiral Program. Catherine works side by side with technology staff and teachers in professional and student development through trainings and hands-on, in-class modeling.