Math and Science 

SHYAMALA ALAPATI. EIGHTH grade SCIENCE teacher.
Bachelor'S IN MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

Shyamala Alapati is passionate about science and technology, having graduated with a degree in molecular cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley. She joined Episcopal in 2017 as an eighth grade science teacher after serving many years as a substitute teacher, a Parent Guild volunteer and an Episcopal parent.  Shyamala began her career in dermatology research at the University of California, San Francisco and pharmacology research at Rush Medical College. After having her three children, science education became a priority. Now, she is dedicated to preparing her students for high school and instilling the framework for a deeper comprehension and passion for science.

NANCY CALLAWAY. SIXTH GRADE MATH TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Nancy Callaway has been a member of the Episcopal community since 2002 as the sixth grade math teacher.  She is also the grade level coordinator for sixth grade and a middle school volleyball coach.  She earned her master’s in education as well as a Gifted Education Certification from Louisiana State University.  She also has her National Board of Professional Standards Certification in Mathematics for the middle grades. Before coming to Episcopal, she taught elementary grades 3-5 in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.  Apart from teaching, Nancy is the Vice President of Greyhound Pets of America Louisiana and Mississippi, an organization that helps find forever homes for retired racing greyhounds.

MARIAN CAILLIER-CASTILLE. MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH.
MASTER'S IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Marian Caillier-Castille brings a diverse skill set to her role as an Episcopal Middle School math teacher. She previously worked as a fifth and fourth grade teacher at St. James Episcopal Day School and also served as the school’s Math and Technology Specialist.  Marian was the only classroom teacher at St. James to be selected to participate in an exclusive training at Apple Headquarters. She is an Apple Learning Specialist and an Apple Teacher. Marian began her teaching career in 2010 at Glasgow Middle School after working for many years in human resources at Louisiana State University.  During her time at LSU, she served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Human Resource Management for seven years. Marian earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech communications with a minor in English and an MBA from Louisiana State University. In 2003, Marian was one of 35 individuals internationally selected to attend the Oxford roundtable discussion on Human Rights and Employment Discrimination at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Marian is actively involved in the community, having served on several St. James committees and numerous community boards, including the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge and the Capital Area United Way.

CHRISTINE CHREST. DANCE.
MASTER'S IN FINE ARTS: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

Christine Chrest has performed nationally and internationally with Lewitzky Dance Company, Posthouse Dance Group, Donald McKayle, and Andrea Woods. She has toured Europe and the United States with the shows Crazy For You, Will Rogers Follies and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. In 1994 she had the honor of performing for President Clinton at the White House. Her choreography has been showcased in the Los Angeles Festival of Solos and Duets, the Praxis Project, with the West Virginia Dance Company, Kyble Dance Company and with Of Moving Colors. She has created work for the University of California, Irvine; Fullerton College; Cerritos College; Moorpark College; California State University, Northridge; Louisiana State University; and the American College Dance Festival where her work was selected as Gala Finalist. Most recently Christine has choreographed multiple regional commercials, national commercials for Facebook, and Coca-Cola, was the assistant choreographer on the film Pitch Perfect and choreographed the feature films Pawn Shop Chronicles, and Because of Gracia. Christine holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Point Park College and a MFA from the University of California, Irvine, where she assisted Donald McKayle. ​

STACY HILL. SCIENCE TEACHER.
Master'S IN EDUCATION: LOUISIANA STATE University

Stacy Hill has been teaching science since 2001. Prior to joining Episcopal’s Middle School faculty, she taught high school science, worked in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for East Baton Rouge parish public schools and taught gifted Middle School science.  Stacy earned a Bachelor of Science from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi and a M. Ed from Louisiana State University.

JAMES MORONEY. MATH teacher.
BACHELOR’s in ENGLISH: Louisiana State University

James Moroney is a versatile teacher having taught English and math in addition to coaching volleyball and soccer.  Most recently, he taught sixth grade math, Algebra I Honors and Geometry Honors at Our Lady of Mercy in Baton Rouge.  James was named the Our Lady of Mercy Teacher of the Year for the 2015/2016 school year and received the Christian Life Award in 2017.  He has served as a MATHCOUNTS team coach, the Junior Beta Club head sponsor and the Youth Legislature co-sponsor. James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in English with a concentration in secondary education.   He is the author of Challenging Common Core Math Lessons: Grade 6.

TOMMY RHEA. LIFE SCIENCE TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOLS: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tommy Rhea was born in New Orleans and raised in the small town of Lake Providence in north Louisiana.  He attended Louisiana Tech for two years, then transferred to Louisiana State University where he continued his formal education for the next 12 years. Tommy earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education in 1974 and a master’s degree in supervision and administration of schools in 1978. Tommy began teaching and coaching in 1975, spending 20 years teaching science, math, social studies, and physical education and coaching football, basketball, soccer, and softball in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.  Tommy came to Episcopal in 1994 and teaches seventh grade Life Science and Nature by Design. He also coaches football, basketball, and volleyball. All of Tommy’s forty-four years of teaching and coaching experience have been at the Middle School level.

Languages

GISELLE CLOUATRE. MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH teacher.
Bachelor'S IN education: University OF PUERTO RICO

Giselle L. Clouatre was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is a native Spanish speaker.  She is the Episcopal Middle School Spanish teacher. Giselle graduated cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in education.  She taught in Cupey María Montessori School, Puerto Rico in kindergarten, third and fourth grade math. After moving to Louisiana, she trained for six months at Oak Montessori School in Hammond, which serves as the Montessori Worlds Education Institute for Louisiana.  She has taught nearly every grade from kindergarten to 12th grade.

MARTHA GUARISCO. ENGLISH TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: Louisiana State University

Martha Guarisco is a National Board Certified English Language Arts teacher and freelance writer.  Prior to joining the faculty at Episcopal, she taught in Ascension Parish, where she was Teacher of the Year.  She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in English literature and her M.Ed. in English education from Louisiana State University.  One of her particular areas of recent study is literature’s effect on adolescents’ empathy development. ​

BETH LEMOINE. MIDDLE SCHOOL FRENCH teacher.
MASTER'S IN FRENCH INSTRUCTION. Louisiana State University

Beth Lemoine has a master's degree in teaching French from Louisiana State University. She joined Episcopal’s faculty in 1994, and has taught every level of French from second grade to seniors. She has studied in France and led numerous student trips to France and Quebec, including Episcopal’s first ever French exchange. She believes that the study of foreign languages empowers individuals by building confidence, creating empathy and instilling a better-informed worldview. Madame Lemoine sponsors the Middle School French Club and co-sponsors the Middle School Cheerleaders. She enjoys running, and coaches Episcopal's Girls on the Run team.

REBECCA ST. ROMAIN MILLIGAN. ENGLISH teacher.
master’s in SECONDARY education: Louisiana State University

Rebecca St. Romain Milligan teaches eighth grade English at Episcopal. A graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in English literature and an M.Ed in secondary education, Becky has more than twenty years of teaching experience.  She began her career teaching high school and subsequently taught ninth grade and twelfth grade at Episcopal for ten years. During that time, she also served as chair of the English Department. As a teacher of eighth graders, she focuses on nurturing a love of writing and reading in addition to honing literacy skills that will prepare adolescents for the challenges of high school.  When she is not reading her students’ writing, she is cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband and four children.

KATY RILEY. ENGLISH TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

Katy Riley was born in Texas and raised in Baton Rouge; she attended middle school at Episcopal and is a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School.  Katy earned her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1998 with honors. In 2004 Katy completed her Master of Science in Education at Loyola University, New Orleans and began teaching high school in California.  After six years in California, Katy came home and joined Episcopal to teach seventh grade English. Katy loves gardening, and she is excited to be one of the founding sponsors of the Gardening Club, a hands-on club focused on growing vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flowers on the Episcopal campus.

CAROLINE RUIZ. MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER.
BACHELOR'S: FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Caroline Ruiz is a first generation American, whose parents are both from Cuba.  She joined the Episcopal staff in 2009 teaching Spanish at multiple grade levels from kindergarten to seventh grade.  In 2014, she became the Middle School Spanish teacher for all sixth and seventh grade Spanish students. Having been born in Miami, Florida, Caroline earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University in Miami in 2002. In 2005, she graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with an Alternative Certification to Teach. She taught at Copper Mill Elementary School in Zachary before joining Episcopal.  Caroline enjoys teaching Spanish and sharing more about her own culture, traditions and customs with her students. She has been married to her husband, Pierre, since 1997 and they have three daughters: Isabella, Ariana, and Anabella. ​

Social Studies

VIRGINIA DAY '08 . SIXth grade WORLD HISTORY teacher.
BACHELOR’s IN HISTORY: LOUISIANA STATE University

Virginia Day, a 2008 graduate of Episcopal High School, returned to her alma mater in 2014 as a sixth grade world history teacher. She received her undergraduate degree in history with a minor in French from Louisiana State University in May of 2012. Before joining Episcopal, Virginia began her teaching career in West Baton Rouge Parish.

KRISTINA ST. GEORGE. EIGHTH GRADE WORLD GEOGRAPHY TEACHER.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

Kristina St. George teaches eighth grade World Geography.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in education from Northwestern State University.  She began her teaching career in East Baton Rouge Parish schools in 2007. After living abroad in Saudi Arabia for three years, she joined the Episcopal faculty in 2017. She loves to travel and has visited over 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia.  Mrs. St. George is excited to share her international experiences and hopes to encourage global perspectives in her students.

JULIE WEAVER '83. HISTORY TEACHER.
JURIS DOCTORATE: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Julie Weaver teaches seventh grade American history. A native of Baton Rouge, she earned a bachelor of arts in history from Louisiana State University and a juris doctor from Louisiana State University Law Center. She joined the Episcopal community in 2011 after teaching Language Arts and American history at St. James Episcopal Day School. Julie is a graduate of Episcopal, parent to two Episcopal graduates, and has one son in 11th grade at Episcopal.

Visual and Perfoming Arts

PAIGE PARSONS GAGLIANO. DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS.
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION: LOUISIANA STATE University

Paige Parsons Gagliano began her career at Episcopal teaching and directing from 1993- 2001 and later returned “home” to Episcopal in the fall of 2013. At Episcopal Paige directs all the theatrical productions, teaches theatre as well as theatre and religion and serves as Director of Performing Arts. Paige is a 2006 Forty Under Forty Honoree by the Baton Rouge Business Report. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from Louisiana State University. During her work at LSU, she was featured in several productions on LSU's mainstage as well as productions at Baton Rouge Little Theatre.  Paige has 29 years experience in teaching and directing professional, community and educational theatre. She has directed over 50 theatrical productions to critical and commercial acclaim for organizations including LSU, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Baton Rouge Little Theatre, Baker Little Theatre and Playmakers of Baton Rouge. She has also directed in the LSU Union Theatre, The Heymann Center in Lafayette, The Strand Theatre in Shreveport and The Rosa Hart Theatre in Lake Charles. She is the past Executive Director at Theatre Baton Rouge, Development Director for The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and Executive Director of Community Fund for the Arts. She was recruited to become the first Development Director for Manship Theatre. Paige is actively involved in the community, having served as the Provisional Chair for the Junior League of Baton Rouge, a member of the LSU English Department's The Shakespeare Project, a board member for Playmakers of Baton Rouge and a featured speaker for the Capital Area United Way.  She is married to Technical Director and Lighting Designer Louis Gagliano and they have three children.

DAVID GAMBINO. BAND DIRECTOR.
master’s IN MUSIC: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

David Gambino has been a professional musician since 2006.  After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southeastern Louisiana University, David served as Assistant Band Director, Fine Arts Survey Teacher and Director of Jazz Studies at Mandeville High School.  Recently, he earned a master’s degree in music with an emphasis in jazz performance from the University of South Florida. David performed on saxophone for Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge world premiere of the album “Whispers on the Wind”.  He has been a featured soloist in professional jazz and pop ensembles and has arranged and written for four commercial album projects.

Joe REYNOLDS. MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL DRAMA teacher.
MFA IN ACTING: YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA

Joe Reynolds joined Episcopal in 2017 as the Middle and Upper School drama teacher.  Previously, he taught theatre at Texas A&M University at Commerce and Blinn College in Brenham.  As an actor, his most prominent film and television credits include Bernie directed by Richard Linklater, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dirt, Medium, My Generation, The Deep End, State of Grace and Frasier.  He holds an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama and is a graduate of The University of Texas in Austin.

RUSSELL ROPER. MIDDLE SCHOOL ART TEACHER.
MASTER'S: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Russell Roper is a Baton Rouge native and has been teaching at Episcopal since 1999.   His love of art began at an early age, and created the desire to share his passion with others through a career in education.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University, and his master’s degree from Louisiana State University. Russell began his teaching career in 1979, working at the high school level in the East Baton Rouge Parish School system for twenty years before coming to Episcopal.  He currently teaches middle school art classes, pottery and sculpture at the high school level, and serves as the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair. Russell is a past-president of the Louisiana Art Education Association and he shows his own artwork with the Baton Rouge Art League.