Our Staff
Liza Drennon
Owner/Director
Zoe Stone
Curriculum Development
Liza Drennon is the owner and director of The Crescent School. She has 10 years of child care experience that ranges from infants through 4th grade. Liza is dedicated to early childhood education and enriching the lives of every student she meets and has the opportunity to teach.
Liza grew up in Austin and San Antonio where she attended schools that were neighborhood and community focused. She found her love for education through the education she was given at a young age. Liza has lived in New Orleans since 2012 and has a degree in Sociology from Loyola University. She now resides in Algiers Point with her dog and cat.
Zoe Stone was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana and is from a long line of teachers. She started her teaching journey in New Orleans at Abeona House, a Reggio Emilia inspired school. She eventually moved to Portland, Oregon and spent time in certifed AMA Montessori school. She ended her time nannying, where she used both Reggio Emilia and Montessori styles, while finishing up a degree in English.
Zoe has happily found herself back in her home state with her husband Nicholas and their dog, Willie.
Marcus Bond
Operations Manager
Marcus Bond is The Crescent School’s new operations manager. Marcus has childcare experience that ranges from nannying to coaching middle school basketball and soccer. Marcus has worked as a manager in different New Orleans restaurants and has been subsitutting with The Crescent School in meantime.
Marcus is now responsible for day-to-day support of teachers, cooking our delicious meals, and supporting Liza with daily operations.
When not at work, Marcus enjoys playing basketball, playing music, and cooking with his family.
Miranda Schultz
Sweet Olive Class
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Miranda is a Louisiana native who has been substitutting with The Crescent School for the past few months. Miranda is a Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Advanced VBAC Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, and Childbirth Educator. She is currently working towards becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. She strives to continually learn how to best support families in their pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond.
Miranda is a co-lead teacher in our newest class, The Sweet Olive Class! She hopes to be a peaceful presence for our youngest class and is excited to help make the babies and young toddlers feel loved and cared for at school.
Miranda resides in Algiers Point with her two children Ruby (4) and Oliver (6). In her spare time, Miranda likes to hang out with her kids in the neighborhood, walking the levee with friends, coffee shops, live music, and gardening!
Wenona McClain
Sweet Olive Class
Wenona is originally from Reno, Nevada, but has been spending most of her life in Dallas raising her family and pursuing education. Wenona found her passion for education after raising her daughter, teaching her daughter and friends, and eventually opening and running her own in-home childcare center. Wenona moved to New Orleans in 2022 to be closer to her daughter who is also an incredible educator. She has continued her career in early childhood education here in New Orleans and is now a co-lead teacher in our newest class, The Sweet Olive class!
Wenona now resides in Algiers Point. In her spare time, she enjoys tending to her garden, decorating her home, sit with her cats and watch sci-fi!
Hannah Brock
Magnolia Class
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Hannah is grew up in Virginia but has spent many summers in New Orleans and having moved here recently, she is happy to now call New Orleans home. Hannah has spent the last 11 years in Dallas, Texas where she has been a teacher in early childhood edcucation with ages birth-three years. Hannah is currently a doula’s apprentice and excited to be finishing her program this year!
Hannah is one of our new teachers in the older toddler classroom, The Magnolia Class. This school year she is looking forward to facilitating growth, love, and excitment for learning in the classroom.
Hannah currently resides in New Orleans with her partner. In her free time, she likes to take care of her plants, and create through visual and sound art.
Jenn Reid
Magnolia Class
Jen is a New Orleans native who has always had a deep appreciation for the strong sense of community in New Orleans. Jen is filled with patience and kindness and she believes that it takes a village to raise a child. Jen is a former EMT who has also spent her time babysitting and nannying for families around Algiers Point.
Jen is dedicating her life to helping and caring for others. She is excited to help our students navigate what it means to be human and have fun while doing it!
Jen lives in Algiers Point with her dog, Honey. In her free time, Jen enjoys taking bike rides, painting, and sewing.
K Barattini
Palmetto Class
K is a New Orleans native and has been working with children for the past 10 years. K has a background in Reggio Emilia education and is a strong believer in children’s autonomy, fostering independence, and supporting curiosity.
Teacher K currently resides in Metaire with their spouse and twp pups. In their spare time, K can be found playing guitar, catching a sunset at the lakefront, or relaxing with a good book.
Javier Banks
Palmetto Class
Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Javier (They/Them) is a teaching artist with six years experience in early childhood education. They're a classical ballet dancer whose teaching journey began with pre-ballet classes for three year olds at Brooklyn Ballet. Javier has since taught in various New York public schools, the lower school at St. George's Episcopal School in New Orleans, and many after-school programs. By utilizing music and movement, they seek to help children discover more about themselves and their relationship to the world. Currently, they teach the preparatory and level 1 classes at the New Orleans School of Ballet.
When Javier isn't dancing or teaching they enjoy crocheting, gardening, and playing catan. They reside in the Marigny with their cat Sula.