Cathy Hartranft, a veteran teacher with over 30 years’ experience, has been working at the French American Academy since 2011. Originally specializing in middle school science, she has branched out considerably over the years; now she coordinates with co-teachers at many levels, teaching STEM and science lessons as well as working on cross-curricular projects. She works at both our Jersey City and Englewood campuses, bringing her enthusiasm and natural curiosity to students from 3rd to 8th grade. 

Why do you teach? 

For the money and the fame! (You need a sense of humor to be a middle school teacher.)

I teach because every day is different and I never get bored. Teaching allows me to share my love of science and inquiry in a creative way. The students at the FAA are curious, articulate, and passionate. I will never tire of seeing that spark in a students’ eyes as they observe a science phenomenon, or of hearing “oh, NOW I get it!” when a concept is fully understood. If you walk past our science lab, you will hear a lot of talking, and you’ll see students engaged in discussion and group projects: this is not a quiet classroom! Communication and collaboration are essential to most fields, but especially science. If I can encourage and inspire students to consider a career in science or STEM, then I have done my job. Plus, kids are more fun to work with than adults!

What do you appreciate about teaching at the FAA? 

I like working at the FAA because we are given a lot of freedom as teachers; we are able to explore so many new topics. You’re allowed to go outside of the organization and form relationships and do things with local organizations. I’ve done projects with Sustainable Jersey City, and we do a lot of work with Liberty State Park. I like the fact that we are situated in a diverse community, and there are things we can get involved with in the community, not just within the school. That’s encouraged. I also appreciate the fact that we’re not limited by needing to stick to only one curriculum; there is a list of things I need to cover each semester, but I can innovate or follow the kids’ interests. I don’t have to teach to prepare students for standardized tests, for what the state thinks is the most important. 

I also like the staff. Obviously you can’t stay somewhere for this long if you don’t get along with the people! I find that the teachers here are all enthusiastic, hard-working, dedicated, and I think we all elevate each other and push each other, which is so important. 

Are there any particular upcoming projects you’re excited about this winter and spring?

I’m excited because I’m working on a cross-curricular project with Thibaut’s 5th grade class, along with Elizabeth, our art teacher. It’s a geography project that Thibault started. Elizabeth works with the students on architecture, so they build a house suited for a particular geographical region. In science we focus on what kind of energy the house could use in different areas, what kind of materials will make it sustainable and energy efficient. We’ve done some testing on insulators and conductors with ice cubes – what melts fastest, what doesn’t allow heat in. Thibault teaches the geography component, I cover the scientific standpoint, and Elizabeth is covering the architecture and the aesthetics. It’s nice – we’ve always wanted to do a project together, and this year the timing really worked out. That’s exciting, and it’s going to be our parent breakfast this year. 

We are participating in a competition in the eighth grade, with the French Organization La Main à la Pate. The eighth graders have to design a support for an athlete who has adaptive needs. They have to figure out their population, the sport, and something they are inspired to design and create. For example, one of our groups is designing a special glove for fencers who have nerve damage in their hands.

This spring I will also do a project with the fifth grade on the New York Bay. Every year we go out to the bay, we take water samples, we sketch the bay, and we study its biological diversity. Then we finish the project by doing a clean-up activity in Liberty State Park. It’s a comprehensive study of an ecosystem that we have here. That’s always a fun local project!