Sister Carol Ann:
The Master Weaver
After teaching at the school for nine years she became its principal in 1982, holding that position until September 1997, when she became its Executive Director. Sister holds a masters degree in special education and is state certified in both special education and administration.
Sister Carol Ann spent her summers at Fairfield University serving as a professor in the Graduate school and as a member of the Advisory Board for Graduate Programs in Special Education. She is a member the Advisory Board for the Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, was inducted into their Hall of Fame, and received their Shining Star Award. She also received the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities Professional Achievement Award, was inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (an organization which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators, and excellence in education), and was recognized with the Saint Augustine Medal of Service from the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Sister is listed in Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who Among America's Teachers. She was listed among one of the "Teachers Who Make It Work" and her article was published in The CHADDer Box, a newsletter dealing with Attention Deficit Disorders. She is frequently a guest speaker on topics of Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Sister Carol Ann is very active in her Community, using her artistic abilities and professional expertise in a variety of ways which range from designing Christmas cards, banners, and coloring books to conducting workshops. She was first Councilor of the Province from 1985 through 1993.
As a youngster growing up in New Jersey, Sister found magic a fascinating hobby and enjoyed performing homemade tricks. Today, she is a professional magician and a member of the Society of American Magicians. Besides performing for students, faculty, family, friends, and religious Sisters, she performed for David Copperfield and Paul Newman, and was on Entertainment Tonight. Sister also used her magic to entertain the audience of Nunsense at the Connecticut Broadway Theater.
In 1997, she added author to her other titles. Her book, Treasures from Heaven, a collection of essays related to her teaching and interspersed with biblical quotations and photographs of children, went into its third printing with over 28,000 copies sold. Sister's second book, Thank Heaven for Little Girls was published in 2001. While promoting her books, Sister appeared on The God Squad, The Catholic Corner, Weekend Today in New York, The Exchange, and Trendsetters.
During the summer of 1974, a friendship was sparked between Sister and the NY Giants football team while Sister was studying at Fairfield University and the team was training at the university. In 1981, then head coach Ray Perkins named her Honorary Assistant Coach of the Football Giants, and subsequent head coaches have renewed the contract. In this capacity, she boosted the morale of the team through "spirit" talks at team meetings, congratulatory messages, birthday and holiday remembrances, and a faithful collection of newspaper clippings that she artistically displays for the players at the end of each season. She was privileged to accompany the Giants to all their Super Bowls and to share in their victory celebrations. Her status as coach has been nationally recognized with articles appearing in newspapers from here to California, and through her appearances on CBS, FOX, WOR, NFL Today, Sports Channel and Sports Update. Most recently, Sister was featured on ESPN's website as one of the most colorful fans in the NFC East.