What's Happening in the Middle School?



Scovner Middle School Teaching Award

V. Parker
The 2019 Edward Scovner Excellence in Middle School Teaching Award went to St. Luke’s English teacher Frank “Bubba” Henson ‘74. This award is given to a Middle School teacher who inspires students to fulfill their potential. This teacher must demonstrate a deep commitment to and affection for students and possess a distinctive style and approach to teaching.

Acting Head of Middle School Gareth Fancher shared the following about Henson before the entire Middle School:

“His presence and contributions to the school community are widespread and immeasurable. From the classroom to the athletic fields, chaperoning to advising, set design to Saturday afternoon essay and public speaking workshops, he puts more love and energy into the craft of teaching kids, not just subjects, more than anyone.

Warmth, nostalgia, stories, and enthusiasm ooze from every crevice of his classroom that includes a tattered baseball glove, paisley-patched bell bottom jeans, malapropisms, meaningful modifiers, vintage crusader polyester jacket, and even a tattoo of  Patrick Starr that is strategically positioned on the wall above the ubiquitous podium.

He is caring, compassionate, thoughtful, patient, innovative, and inspirational. This teacher is the consummate professional who partners with colleagues and parents alike while serving as our students’ biggest cheerleader.”

In addition to having served as a faculty/staff member on the Hilltop for 13  years, Henson is a St. Luke’s alumnus and alumni parent. He is retiring at the end of this school year.

Past recipients of the Edward Scovner Excellence in Middle School Teaching Award include Physical Education teacher Pat Raffaele ’88 (2018), Middle School Science Chair Susan Bralower (2017), Math teacher Susan Garnett (2016), Science teacher David Havens (2015), English teacher Jim Carroll (2014), and 5th-grade teacher Melissa Zurkowski (2013).

See video of Gareth Fancher presenting the Scovner Award to Frank Henson
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St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.