Retired Faculty & Staff

After 45 years of transforming McDonogh's 800 acres into a living laboratory and inspiring thousands of students to see the wonder in every stream, tree, and biological system, Rob Smoot is retiring, and it's a pretty big deal. McDonogh has been his home for his entire life.

Both of his parents were McDonogh teachers, and they lived on campus. He graduated from McDonogh in 1977, and after college, returned and dedicated his entire career to this community.

What sets Mr. Smoot apart is not simply his longevity or expertise in biology, anatomy, physiology, and botany, but his belief that science education extends far beyond the classroom. McDonogh's entire campus serves as his laboratory, and with his guidance, students learn to see the interconnectedness of biological systems through direct observation and critical thinking. In his classroom, curiosity flourishes, and students support each other. He honors diverse learning styles and uses a variety of teaching tools and methods to ensure that everyone can understand complex lessons.

His energy and vision brought our environmental science program to life, and he has consistently found ways to make science come alive. And then there is the cardboard boat race, one of the most joyful events of the year. Mr. Smoot helped make that happen.

Throughout his 45 years, Mr. Smoot has modeled the integration of mind, body, and spirit, not just by teaching science, but also by demonstrating how to be compassionate, contributing citizens and leaders. Many of his former students are doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, and environmental scientists, carrying forward the passion he ignited.

Rob, you represent the very best of what science teaching can and should be, and you embody our guiding principle: "We give something more than we take." McDonogh is forever changed because of you, and — even in retirement — will always be your home.