Outstanding Faculty Honored with Newton Distinguished Faculty Awards

December 12th, 2019

Newton Award winners

Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Newton Distinguished Faculty Award recipients!

Beth Lemoine - Middle School French teacher
Laura Portwood - Lower School religion teacher
Dr. Billy Pritchard - Upper School history teacher

Episcopal School of Baton Rouge is extremely honored to recognize three talented and thriving faculty members. They are true gifts to our students, to our community and we are pleased that they have been chosen for this recognition. This year's honorees celebrated with Patty and Carl Newton, Head of School Hugh McIntosh and members of the Administrative Council this week.

About The Newton Upper School Distinguished Faculty Award

Patty and Carl Newton established the Newton Distinguished Faculty Award seven years ago because they believe that excellent teachers make a tremendous difference in the lives of students. The Newtons are very grateful for the positive impact that the teachers at Episcopal had on their two children. Each year, three Newton Distinguished Faculty recipients are selected and awarded a stipend in support of their continued professional development.

Read more about this year's award recipients below:

Beth Lemoine is the Middle School French teacher. Beth 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.

Laura Portwood is a Lower School religion teacher. Laura 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.

Dr. Billy Pritchard is a native of Winn Parish, Louisiana. He and his wife, Lisa, came to Episcopal in 2015 after spending the previous decade in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Pritchard is a 1999 graduate of the Louisiana School of Math, Science, and the Arts. In addition, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Centenary College of Louisiana, a master’s degree from Ole Miss and doctorate from SUNY-Buffalo. Dr. Pritchard teaches U.S. History, Honors AP U.S. History, American Presidency and the Civil Rights Movement.

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