STDA Faculty

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.

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.

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.

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.