The River Parishes Convention, Visitors and Tourist Commission appointed longtime St. Charles Parish educator Craig Howat as its new executive director.
Howat is a Hahnville resident who has taught students for 31 years. He has served as the facilitator of the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism course at St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ Satellite Center since 2002. He also taught a culinary arts class at the center.
He is a co-founder of Swamp School along with fellow educator and longtime Harry Hurst science teacher Barry Guillot. The effort was initially put together with their children in mind, but long after their young ones grew up and moved on, the school continues working with hundreds of students each summer, cultivating and fostering a love of outdoor activities as well as an appreciation for nature.
Howat has also worked with the New Orleans Saints as the team’s Gameday Coordinator and has long been active in his church community at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, serving on the church’s pastoral council. He has also coached youth sports in the community.
“31 years, thousands of students, and a lifetime of unforgettable memories,” Howat wrote in a post to social media. “Teaching has always been about the shared human experience and the lifelong relationships built along the way. My fondest memories come from taking learning outside the classroom walls. Whether sitting around a campfire with my LES 5th graders at Wetland Watcher Park, navigating international travel in Calgary and Quebec, or making our annual pilgrimage to the French Quarter and Jazz Fest, seeing the world through my students’ eyes, encouraging their curiosity, practicing perseverance and opening doors to the wider world made every year a new adventure. I will miss it.
“To my former students, HRT alumni, colleagues, parents, families, and community: thank you for being a part of this journey and trusting me with my crazy ideas. You made these 31 years deeply fulfilling. I am endlessly grateful for the memories. I step into my next adventure with a full heart and priceless memories. It has been an honor to serve as your teacher.”
The River Parishes Tourist Commission is the official destination marketing and management organization for Louisiana’s River Parishes, spanning St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James parishes. Headquartered in LaPlace, it seeks to boost regional economic growth by promoting local history, culture, outdoor activities, and attractions.
