NEW ORLEANS – On Sunday, January 21, 2018, the Brother Martin faculty and staff joined together for the 27th annual Brother More Schaefer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon held at the Audubon Tea Room. This year, yet another faculty member received the annual award for Excellence in Instruction, Formation, and Witness. Principal Ryan Gallagher ’00 commented, “This award goes beyond classroom instruction. It is about Instruction. And Formation. And Christian Witness – all in the charism of our founder, Father Andre Coindre. There are many members of our faculty who are deserving of this award, and also none more deserving than Mr. Christopher Biehl.”
Biehl, now in his sixth year at Brother Martin, strives for excellence in and out of his classroom while also expecting it from his students. “I love what I do”, said Biehl, and it shows wherever he is. When he is not in the classroom, he can be found on the basketball court as the head basketball coach. He is in his fourth year as head coach holding a 95 – 47 record. He also holds Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from University of New Orleans. Currently, Chris serves as an Advanced Math teacher and Formation Center proctor.
Over the course of his career in education, he has taught a variety of subjects such as Algebra I, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, Health & P.E., World History, Civics, Religion, and English I and II. Previously, he was a committed educator and coach at the University of New Orleans, Metairie Park Country Day School, Pope John Paul II High School, Isidore Newman School, Archbishop Hannan High School, Hancock County High School, and De La Salle High School. During his stint at UNO, he was the Men’s basketball assistant coach and a student assistant. Biehl has been honored throughout his 26 year teaching career as St. Tammany Parish’s “Best Mannered Teacher”; Teacher of the Year at Archbishop Hannan High School; a finalist for the St. Tammany Parish Teacher of the Year Award; and the Teacher of the Year at Pope John Paul High School in Slidell.
Mr. Biehl’s students and student-athletes also describe him as a man with qualities worth aspiring towards: He is a man who laughs, and a man who is not afraid to share his emotion and his faith. He also aims to be a good teacher, man, and coach for all.
“Receiving the Brother More Schaefer Award has been the greatest honor of my professional career. The fact that was I nominated by my peers and selected by the committee is overwhelming considering the fact that I am surrounded by so many great educators,” stated Biehl.
He and his wife Lauren have four children: Andy (Class of 2022), Matt, Emily, and Ashley reside in Metairie, LA.
In addition to Biehl’s recognition, there were several faculty members who were recognized for their many years of service at Brother Martin. Recognized for 20 years of service were Carroll Bourlet ’65 CJ, Kenny Spellman ’84, Deborah Broussard (2012 Brother More Schaefer Faculty Award Recipient), Tina LaBeaud, Peter Valiente ’79, and Cathy Duran. The faculty members recognized for 30 years of service were Amelie Levis and Tony Melito ’76. John Devlin and Mary Picou (2004 Brother More Schaefer Faculty Award Recipient) were recognized for their 40 years of service at Brother Martin.
The mission of Brother Martin High School is to form young people through a holistic education that fosters academic excellence in a caring, disciplined community which integrates Catholic tradition and the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to meet the needs of a changing world.
