RETIREMENT

45 Years of Dedic ation

“LOUISE HAS ALLOWED COUNTLESS CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF CHILDHOOD,” SAYS AMY GORDON P’95 ’97, PF OF HER LONGTIME FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE.

of Dedic ation

Louise Smith P’95 ’97, PF retires from Bement.

BY EMILY LENT HEMINGWAY PF

Keith House Collaborating Teacher, Noticing Nature Teacher

LOUISE SMITH IS A DEEPLY knowledgeable, thoughtful, dedicated, and hardworking master teacher, but that is not the fi rst thing people mention when looking back on her decades of service to Bement and the legacy she leaves to this school. It’s not even in the top three.

First, people mention nature, of course—Louise’s love and knowledge of it, and the way she used its study as a way to help children learn about themselves. For Bement students, anything happening in the natural world, whether at home or at school, meant that Mrs. Smith had to be found and asked for more information. The number of notes left for Louise from students wondering about nature could fi ll a book. Regardless of the subject, every note Louise has received was earnest, heartfelt, and painstakingly written and delivered by a child who took time out of their recess, after dismissal, or perhaps even during class, when they were meant to be concentrating on something else. They couldn’t wait and ask her later; they had to write to her immediately.

Many of Louise’s conversations with children (and some adults) began with them asking, “Did you see the [fi ll in the blank] I left for you?” (Once the item was a frog, which Louise delicately confi rmed was alive—not always the case with items left for her—and loose in Keith Schoolhouse.) I also often felt the impulse to tell Louise about something I’d seen outside; I think everyone who knows her did. This instinct was in part because Louise’s love of nature, sense of curiosity, and desire to explore were contagious, and we all wanted to be part of her adventures. Mostly, though, children and adults alike wanted to share with Louise because we knew she would meet our note or gift or information with earnest curiosity, genuine caring, a listening ear, and true kindness.

Tied to Louise’s love of nature are two other often-mentioned truths about her: her sense of humor and her loyal friendship. A number of Louise’s friends and colleagues mentioned lovingly that Louise occasionally misplaces her keys or her glasses, but she never forgets the things that matter. Louise commits deeply and truly to places and people. She is ever loyal to Camp Arcadia and to Bement, two places where she has dedicated many decades of her life and remains a staunch and vital supporter. She has deep and lasting friendships with people she met at camp, at boarding school, at Bement, and more. She has an incredible memory for people. You can mention the name of a student from more than 30 years ago to her, and she will tell you exactly what that child was like in fi rst grade, who their friends were, what they were working on then, and how they are doing now.

In addition to all these wonderful qualities, Louise is, of course, a master teacher. Saving this role for last is perfectly fi tting for someone as humble as Louise, who is quick to wave away accomplishments and accolades. For Louise, being a teacher is synonymous with sharing passions; helping students learn about themselves; fi nding humor in every day; and fostering long, deep, and meaningful connections with people and places. Louise did those things so well at Bement because she is a wonderful teacher, and she is a wonderful teacher because doing those things so well is who she is.