Congratulations to the 2025 Connie Wootton Award
Finalists for Excellence in Teaching!
Named in honor of Connie Wootton, in recognition of her outstanding passion, dedication, and service to schools in the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES), the Connie Wootton Excellence in Teaching Awards are awarded to active 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 excellence
- Love the students and strive daily to help them achieve their personal best
- Exhibit commitment to the Episcopal approach to education, which could be understood as “faith-seeking understanding”
In the Spring of 2025, Wootton Awards for $5,000 will be awarded to one nominee in each of the following categories:
- Middle/Upper School—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from grades six through twelve
- Special Focus—this award identifies an exceptional teacher of a special or enrichment subject or Chaplain excelling in the spirit of the Wootton Awards
Middle/Upper School Category

Bridgett Ponder
Trinity Episcopal School
Longview, TX

David Gaul
All Saints' Episcopal School
Fort Worth, TX

Dr. Rebecca Kuhn
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA

Kathleen "Kat" Underwood
TMI Episcopal
San Antonio, TX
TMI Episcopal
San Antonio, TX
Michelle Horsey
St. Stephen's Episcopal School
Wimberley, TX
St. Stephen's Episcopal School
Wimberley, TX

Kathy Howe
St. Mark's Episcopal School
Houston, TX
St. Mark's Episcopal School
Houston, TX
Special Focus Category
Lucy Adams
TMI Episcopal
San Antonio, TX

Amy McRae
Trinity Episcopal School
Baton Rouge, LA
Karrie Partin
St. John's Episcopal School
Abilene, TX

Matt Robinson
St. Luke's Episcopal School
San Antonio, TX

Brandon Campbell
Calvary Episcopal School
Richmond, TX
Calvary Episcopal School
Richmond, TX

Rebecca Koch
St. Paul's Montessori Episcopal School
San Antonio
St. Paul's Montessori Episcopal School
San Antonio

Tammy Cleckler
St. Alban's Episcopal School
Harlingen, TX
St. Alban's Episcopal School
Harlingen, TX

Mother Lynn Hooks
St. James Episcopal School
Baton Rouge, LA
St. James Episcopal School
Baton Rouge, LA

Amy Renick
All Saints' Episcopal School
Beaumont, TX
All Saints' Episcopal School
Beaumont, TX