STDA Faculty

Dr. Jeanne Gearon, Ed.D.
Principal

Jeanne Gearon, has a BA in education from Missouri State University, 1985, a MA (1993) and Ed.D. (2009), in educational leadership both from Saint Louis University.

Dr. Gearon has ministered in Catholic Education for 30+ years and is also the Superintendent of Schools for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington in South Burlington, Vermont where St. Therese Digital Academy is based.

Bob Goudreau, Assistant Principal

Bob Goudreau has a BS in Education, from Lyndon State, 1967, MAT in History, from St. Michael's College, 1972, & a Cert. in Advanced Study in Administration from UVM in 1978.

Mr. Goudreau has been an educator and administrator for 42 years.  He works closely with our faculty, students, and prospective families.

Ann M. Blanchard, Chemistry Instructor

Ann Blanchard earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Saint Anselm College where she was awarded the American Chemical Society’s Excellence in Chemistry Award for outstanding achievement. She was a First Communion Catechist for ten years and Coordinator of Saint Matthew’s Religious Education program in Plymouth, NH for three years before becoming a High School Chemistry teacher. She holds a Master of Science in Science Education and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Online Instructional Design.  For the past 15 years Ann has enjoyed teaching Physical Science, Chemistry and Chemistry Honors and over the last 3 years has transformed the high school classroom into a scientific community where students do science to learn science. She looks forward to being part of Saint Therese Digital Academy where she will facilitate students in cultivating the learning and innovation skills so necessary for future success.

David Carvalho, Scriptures Instructor

David Carvalho received a BA in Religious Studies from Siena College and an MA in Religious Education from Fordham University. David has worked both in ministry and teaching in a variety of capacities. He first worked with Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries, helping to lead retreats in the Archdioceses of New York, Hartford, and Boston. He then worked as a full-time parish youth minister, before moving to his current position as a full-time high school theology teacher in the Diocese of Albany. Additionally, David continues teaching and ministry by giving presentations for the Diocese of Albany’s faith formation conferences, offering different talks to youth in Upstate New York, and serving as a writing tutor. Originally from Southeastern Massachusetts, David ultimately moved to Upstate New York, where he currently resides with his wife and son.

Teri Fitz-Gerald, Algebra I and II Instructor

Teri Fitz-Gerald has enjoyed 37 years teaching students in public high schools in Vermont, sharing her love of mathematics as a language, an art, a science, and a way to understand and make meaning of patterns and structure.  Having coached Math League for many years, Teri has visited many schools around the Greater Burlington area and seen the enthusiasm that students share when they get together to do and talk math!  She also had the privilege of instructing pre-service math teachers in a methods course at the university level for 8 years.  With experience in a wide variety of courses from Pre-Algebra to Calculus BC as well as Financial Literacy, Teri especially enjoys helping students see the beauty and the connections in mathematics.  And it’s fun because she keeps learning too!

Deacon Peter Gummere, Theology Instructor

Deacon Peter Gummere attended Catholic Schools K-12, has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wheeling College (now Wheeling Jesuit University) and a Master of Science in Biological Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  He has a Master of Arts in Theology from St Michael’s College. Deacon Pete was ordained as a Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Burlington in 2005, after participating in the Lay Ministry Formation and Diaconate Formation programs in the Diocese of Burlington.  He has 45 years of experience in health care management and is an author and speaker on a variety of topics, including bioethics.

Jennifer Hoffmann, English Instructor

Jennifer Hoffmann received her BA in English and Anthropology as well as her MS in English Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Rochester.  She began teaching in a variety of capacities while still an undergraduate.  She tutored in the University’s Writing Center and worked as a TA for the Computer Science and Anthropology Departments.  After continuing her studies towards her MS to pursue her love for teaching, she took a full-time English teaching position at a high school in Proctor, Vermont.  She remained in Proctor for five years, teaching mostly advanced English courses and electives.  During that time, her continued interest in computer science and anthropology influenced her to offer cross-cultural electives and to continue to delve into online teaching.  Her interest soon led her to studies beyond the walls of her classroom.  She branched out from just online teaching to online tutoring and online, standardized test grading for exams like the SAT.  She also continued to look at the influence of culture in education.  She received opportunities to study diversity in education through a Fulbright Grant to Germany and an English teaching position on a Native American Reservation in Western New York.  As a result of the new teaching position, she and her husband moved closer to family in New York, where they currently reside.

Terri Isidro, Science Instructor

Terri Isidro has taught science since 2009 in Connecticut and Vermont.  She believes in combining technology and activities that stimulate higher-order thinking to create a challenging and engaging student-centered learning environment.  Terri attended Catholic school for twelve years and her father, Ramon Isidro, was one of the first forty ordained deacons in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Donald L. Mabbott, English American Literature Instructor

Dr. Donald L. Mabbott took the name of St. Augustine when he was confirmed due to the breadth and depth of his conversion. He grew up in Seattle, Washington and quickly grew as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. As an adult, Dr. Mabbott switched gears and rededicated himself to scholarship. He spent the next fourteen years earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, a Master’s Degree in American and British Literature, A Master’s Degree in Education—with an emphasis on Language Arts instruction—and capped it off with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. Since then, he has spent twelve years in a variety of Language, Composition, and Language Arts classrooms from middle school to graduate school. He attributes his eight years among The Jesuit Identity for his dedication to serving as a teacher and a champion of the learning challenged. He lives in Montpelier with his wife, his dog, and a cat named Gotham.

Kevin Martell, Social Studies Instructor

Kevin Martell has been teaching in the Vermont public schools system for 37 years. 30 years at Essex High School and the past three years he has been the Department Chair for the Social Studies Department at Brattleboro Union High School. During his years of teaching Kevin has taught every imaginable class including Advanced Placement classes. His main focus of teaching has been in US history and World history. In 2017 Kevin received the Vermont History Teacher of the Year Award. He has a BS in Education with a major in social studies and English from the University of Vermont in 1981. Kevin received his Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont in 1998. Since this time he has accrued well over 90 credit hours in history classes from multiple colleges. Kevin is married with three sons and in January of 2018 will be moving to St. Albans, Vermont.

Michael Niggel, Computer Programming Instructor

Michael has been working in web design and development for nearly 20 years, building sites for organizations like Darn Tough Vermont, Pete and Gerry’s Organics, and the Vermont Department of Health. In addition to his professional experience, Michael has taught courses with Northern Vermont University/Lyndon State College since 2010 in web design and development, graphic design, and eCommerce. Other pursuits have included video game development for Sony and freelance writing. He shares his love for the outdoors and for learning with his wife, who is also an educator, and four children.

Laurie S. Toof, Geometry Instructor

Laurie Toof has been teaching in public schools in Vermont for 17 years.  Since 2002, she has been at Lamoille Union High School in Hyde Park, Vermont.  Ms. Toof earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum Instruction and Assessment from Walden University.  She enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and kayaking.

Ben Worthing, Science Instructor

Ben Worthing is a teacher, learner, father and husband who constantly aspires to grow mentally, physically and spiritually.  He grew up in a beautiful small town in upstate NY, where he was able to explore nature and fall in love with everything related to the sciences.  After graduating high school, Ben pursued an Environmental Science Bachelor’s degree from Elon University, NC.  His degree led to working opportunities with NY State’s Soil and Water division, as well as a research opportunity on acid rain deposition funded through the US Forest Service.  Soon after, Ben moved to Vermont and completed a Master’s degree in Secondary Education Curriculum and Instruction.  For the past 15 years, he has worked as a high school science teacher.  During this time, Ben has continued to develop his own education with graduate level coursework in astronomy, water chemistry, climatology and dinosaur evolution.  In the past five years, he has worked as a part-time adjunct college professor teaching chemistry and mathematics courses.  He has also completed graduate level coursework giving him a licensed endorsement in online teaching. Ben is a passionate educator who enjoys the challenges and rewards of learning and teaching!