Cabrini teacher made science fun for 45 years

By Kim Roberts
Clarion Herald

After 45 years of teaching “all of the sciences” in the exact same classroom at Cabrini High School, Ann Smart will retire at the end of the school year.

“I have taught at Cabrini High School since 1979,” she said. “During that time, I have taught general science, physical science, biology I, biology II (anatomy), chemistry, physics, marine science, genetics and environmental science. My favorite subject to teach is environmental science.”

According to Cabrini principal Yvonne Hrapmann, Smart’s retirement will leave a big void in the science department and the school as a whole. She describes her as an ideal employee who is well respected and has impacted many students with her creative and innovative teaching methods and ideas.

“Ann has been a bedrock of the Cabrini faculty – and especially the science department,” Hrapmann said. “She has modeled for everyone what it means to be a lifelong learner for her colleagues and students. She truly loves learning. She has worked hard to develop leadership in her department and is someone who never says no and jumps in and is willing to teach any prep.”

Hrapmann added that Smart has accomplished quite a bit during her tenure, including being awarded the John Dempsey Outstanding Secondary School Science Teacher of the Year Award from the Louisiana Science Teachers Association (LSTA) and Drew Brees’ “Making the Grade Outstanding Achievement Award” for “The Science of Learning” that won the support of area superintendents.

 Perks of the job

“The most rewarding aspect of my job, especially now that I’m teaching the harder sciences like chemistry and physics, is knowing that some students come in the classroom a bit afraid because they heard science is hard and seeing them overcome their fears during the year,” Smart said. “It’s a great feeling watching them overcome that fear and learn that science can actually be fun.”

Smart cannot imagine teaching anywhere other than Cabrini because it holds such a special place in her heart. At the time she was graduating from the University of New Orleans,  there were two Catholic school job openings. Her classmate took the job at her alma mater, and Smart took the one at Cabrini.

“I am not an alum, but this school is wonderful,” Smart said. “Knowing that a saint walked where I am working daily gives me a special feeling, and seeing all of the alums who do come back to teach is so rewarding. Right now, there are four people in this department, and I taught two of them. Actually, one of my former students from 2008 will be taking over for me when I retire.”

Smart said the most challenging thing she has faced during her career has been keeping up with the latest advances in technology.

“I still use my blackboard, and my classroom was the first one at the school to have a computer,” she said. “But, every student today has her own device, and I know that I have to try to keep up with what they have in front of them. The students want constant activity and to be impressed, they are fearless with technology. That has been my biggest challenge, to keep up to date.”

 Science can be fun

Over the years, Smart started doing fun science with elementary kids so they wouldn’t feel intimidated when they got to high school and came face-to-face with advanced science.

“I enjoy incorporating fun activities with science to show that science doesn’t have to be scary at all,” she said. “That has been my career goal, to make science accessible to everyone.”

In 2014, Smart started the Science Squad, a complimentary science outreach program sponsored by the Cabrini science department – which travels to local classrooms or is hosted on Cabrini’s campus – offering hands-on science lessons and activities for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades. 

Elementary school teachers can choose a topic from the Science Squad’s menu of lessons or request a topic suited to the needs of the class.

“My favorite thing about Science Squad is when they come to Cabrini’s campus,” Smart said. “That’s because, in addition to doing fun science activities, we can also give them a bit of information about Mother Cabrini and tell them who she was, what she did and let them see the little museum we have set up. I love showing kids how much fun science can be on our campus.”

Retirement plans

When asked what she plans to do with her time after she retires, Smart said she intends to sleep late, garden, do crafts and eventually start doing volunteer work close to her house.

“After I retire, I guess I will miss the interactions with all of the people at this school the most,” Smart said. “I will miss the faculty, for sure. Being around the younger people all the time really gives you a different outlook and perspective on life, so I will miss that. I didn’t have kids of my own, so they are like my own kids. It’s nice having them around.

“I know I will keep busy during my retirement. My nieces and nephews are already asking me about doing fun science and other projects, so I have that to look forward to.”

The northshore resident said there is one thing she is really going to enjoy: Saying goodbye to her twice-daily, 24-mile automobile marathon over water.

“Not having to drive across the bridge from Covington every weekday – like I have been for the past 38 years – that will be nice!” she said.

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