School News

St. Mark's Cathedral School is pleased to announce two exemplary educators as nominees for the Connie Wootton Excellence in Teaching Awards—Mrs. Dicksey Sanders and Mrs. Leigh Lewis.

Each year, the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) honors outstanding teachers from the Association who display passion for teaching and innovation; demonstrate a deep appreciation for professional development; possess an entrepreneurial spirit; desire their school to reflect an ongoing commitment to excellent; love the students and strive on a daily basis to help them achieve their personal best; and exhibit commitment to the Episcopal approach to education which can be understood as "faith seeking understanding."

Mrs. Sanders, who teaches first grade, has been nominated for the Wooton Award in the Elementary Division. Mrs. Sanders has taught kindergarten or first grade at St. Mark's since 2004. Prior to that she had a distinguished career in the Caddo Parish Public School system. At the end of this school year, she will have completed fifty years of full-time classroom instruction, a milestone few educators can achieve. What is even more remarkable, however, is that Mrs. Sanders approaches every day with the enthusiasm as if it were her very first, and she is always striving to become a better teacher. There are many students who have learned to read or learned to love learning from Mrs. Sanders.

Mrs. Lewis, who teaches sixth grade social studies, has been nominated for the Wootton Award in the Middle/Upper Division. Prior to becoming a teacher, Mrs. Lewis was a realtor and a school secretary. She also teaches American history at Bossier Parish Community College and is responsible for running St. Mark's summer programs and coordinating Middle School student life activities. She is passionate about professional development and always wants to take on new tasks. She has worked especially hard this year to create pandemic-appropriate activities for Middle School students when so many activities and special events have been eliminated.

SAES will announce the Wootton Award recipients in October 2021.