Get to Know Us

List of 6 items.

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  Mr. Murmer

  Biology Honors/Chemistry
  Mr. Murmer joins Holy Trinity with more than 15 years of experience in teaching science and mathematics at the high school and collegiate level, including six years as a math teacher and department head at Rockledge High School. He has earned associate degrees in Engineering and Math/Science, as well as bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry/Mathematics with a minor in Physics from the University of New Mexico (UNM). He holds a Master of Arts in Math Education with a minor in Chemistry from UNM and is a Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at New Mexico State University. He has published numerous papers and presented on STEM education.
  
  Education: Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry/Mathematics, minor in Physics from University of New Mexico; Master of Arts in Math Education with minor in Chemistry from UNM; Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at New Mexico State University.
  
  

  What is the most important life lesson you want a child to learn in your classroom?

  I believe what I try to instill and envision as a veteran educator and former counselor for every student is to become a lifelong learner and problem solver.  Technical or hard skills are necessary but what is undervalued is the appreciation, practice and value of soft skills (e.g. creative thinking, teamwork, decision-making, intra and inter-personal skills, communication, preparation, leadership and persistence). Not only these skills are essential in the academic and career arena but they are the foundation for fellowship and citizenship. As Einstein said, “"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” This quote perfectly captures the power of imagination, and the limitations of knowledge.

   

   

  What motivated you to become a teacher?

  My motivation in becoming a teacher is to continuously learn and remain inquisitive about how things work in nature and the world. The researcher never asks, why, instead, asks how. I believe successful teaching is the hallmark of every prosperous society, enterprise and discovering the unknown. Although it is cliché, I like to see students succeed and go further in their chosen academic and careers. Teachers are seen as leaders, mentors, advisors, coaches and counselors that help students excel in becoming an adult.  From my experience, I think being a teacher allows me impart life lessons that students will never forget and puts me in a position to influence their decisions, behaviors, strengths, weaknesses and imaginations. Essentially, becoming a teacher are actors in the role of shaping and molding the next generation.

   

   

  What are some of your interests and passions outside of the classroom?

  To name a few, I enjoy exercising (weightlifting), reading, tutoring, travelling, avid trivia buff, playing the piano, spending time with my family, former amateur pilot and coaching sports. Now my most recent hobby is landscaping and chicken farming (13 chickens).

   

   

  What experiences or people have had the most influence on you?

  I have several experiences which have forged who I am while maintaining my identity. I served my country, travelled around the world, lived abroad, appreciated and learned from a variety of people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. But two that stand out are my grandfather and my former math teacher-mentor, Ms. Ellis. Regardless of the numerous degrees, awards, certifications, licensures I have obtained the years via differing careers, both individuals helped me become the person I am today.

   

   

  How do you keep current with the subject areas you cover?

  I have been tutoring middle, high school, college subjects for over 35-years such as mathematics, statistics, chemistry, college readiness skills, technical writing, SAT/ACT prep, MCAT, GRE, Math/Science AP-classes, etc. In addition, I am completing dissertation for my PhD at New Mexico State University in Curriculum and Instruction which emphasizes STEM Teaching Practices and Administration. I am also an active member (and presenter) for several education, mathematics and chemistry international honor and professional societies. I have advised teachers, administrators, business and community leaders as an advocate and supporter for STEM education for all students throughout my professional career. 

   

   
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  Mr. Wilson

  JH Academic Advisor/School Counselor
  Mr. Blake Wilson joins HT from Renaissance Charter School in Cooper City, Florida, where he served as Dean of Students. Prior to his work with Renaissance, he served as Dean of Students and Dean of Academics at Caribbean School in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Previously, Mr. Wilson spent 12 years at Deerfield, Massachusetts, private and public schools where he taught mathematics, coached, and served as an academic advisor as well as a dean. 
  
  Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Portland State University in Oregon and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Goddard College in Vermont

   

  What is the most important life lesson you want a JH child to learn?  

  If a person starts any journey from a place of love, no matter how long or short that journey may be, no matter how bumpy or smooth that journey may be, then the journey will be virtuous and fulfilling.

   

   

  What motivated you to work at schools/with students?

  About 20 years ago, while serving as a volunteer for a literacy/reading program in Portland, Oregon, I realized that a small window of the best that I am opens when I am with my students. It’s quite an incredible feeling.

   

   

  What are some of your interests and passions outside school?

  Trail running, pickleball, gardening anything related to basketball (playing, watching, coaching).

   

   

  Holy Trinity’s tagline is: “Start Here. Go Anywhere.” How do you envision helping students to live this motto?

  By helping students develop a strong foundation of kindness, respect, gratitude, grit and patience. This foundation, will, in fact, help HT students go anywhere they dare to dream.

   

   

  What experiences or people have had the most influence on you?

  Traveling and meeting people with a vast array of experiences and realizing that our differences are what bind us together have made the biggest impact on me as a human.

   

   
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  Mrs. Lugaro

  College Advisor
  Mrs. Rosaly Lugaro started with HT at the end of May 2020. Mrs. Lugaro has more than 10 years of experience in school/college counseling. Most recently, she worked as the Director of International College Counseling at Lake Mary Prep in Lake Mary, Florida. Prior to that, she worked as a school counselor at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando and St. Thomas Aquinas in Saint Cloud. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University.
  
  Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University

   

  What is the most important thing you want a child to remember during the college counseling process?
  I want a child to remember that the college application is an individual process – that they are perfectly unique individuals and there is no one else like them.  Organization is key to simplify the process. Finally, I want them to know that there is more than one route that can take them to the same destination. 

   

  What motivated you to work in schools?
  I believe that motivation comes within.  I am blessed to wake up every day to work in a school and do what I am passionate about. I strongly believe that passion is what makes ordinary people do extraordinary things.

   

  What are some of your interests and passions outside school?
  I love decorating, sewing, camping, going to the beach, riding my bike, reading a good book, and eating good food. 

   

  Holy Trinity’s tagline is: “Start Here. Go Anywhere.” How do you envision helping students to live this motto? 
  The starting point is the marking point of every new beginning. Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy provides the necessary foundation to help every student attain their goals.  We take pride on an individualized approach that facilitates the pathway to "Start Here. Go Anywhere.”

   

  What experiences or people have had the most influence on you?
  The people that have most influenced my life are my mother, my children, my best friend and my students.  My mother taught me the value of education, strong work ethic and leading by example.  My children taught me to be open minded and see things with a different point of view.  My best friend taught me the beauty of enjoying every moment. My students taught me that life is a journey not a destination. Life experiences taught me to always do what is right not what is easy, everything else will work just fine and that quality is more important than quantity.

   

  How do you keep current with the subject areas you cover?
  I keep current with the latest trends in college admissions by reading publications from the people who create rules, regulations and have the capacity of making changes.  I am an active member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, Southern Association of College Admissions Counseling, International Association of College Admissions Counseling, and The Central Florida Consortium of Private School Counselors.  I pride myself on cultivating partnerships with admission counselors across the United States and Overseas.
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  Mrs. McDermott

  Fifth and Sixth Grade Math
  Mrs. McDermott comes to Holy Trinity with six years of experience teaching middle school mathematics in Lake Dallas, Texas. Throughout her career, she has held various positions in the financial services and insurance industries, as well as serving as a victims’ advocate for the Women’s Center of Melbourne. Mrs. McDermott earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance from the University of Texas.
  
  Education: Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance from the University of Texas

   

  Holy Trinity’s tagline is: “Start Here. Go Anywhere.” How do you envision helping students to live this motto? 
  The lessons you learn in school are only the tip of the iceberg. Learning continues long after school is over. Hopefully we as teachers spark your curiosity enough to continue the education on your own, even beyond the end of your “school days.”

   

  What is the most important life lesson you want a child to learn in your classroom?
  No matter what happens on any particular day, you will survive and grow from it. While these events help make you the person you are, they don’t have to define who you are as a person.

   

  What motivated you to become a teacher?
  When I was in elementary school, I caught on pretty quickly to my teachers’ lessons. I just wanted everyone to understand what I did, so I was always volunteering to help classmates. As I got older, I liked the idea of not just the academic aspect, but the connection with kids and imparting life skills as well.

   

  What are some of your passions outside of the classroom?
  I am an avid reader. I love historical fiction and non-fiction in particular. When it’s cooler outside, I spend time crocheting. My husband and I are dedicated to our workouts. We aren’t competitive, but we are consistent.

   

  What experiences or people have had the most influence on you?
  Working with kids who may have grown up differently that I did opened my eyes to a whole new world. When you grow up you tend to assume everyone lives like you do. Then, my husband and I started traveling and see other parts of the world. These have both broadened my outlook and how I view many things.

   
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  Mrs. Segal

  French/Critical Thinking/Academic Coach
  Prior to joining HT, Mrs. Segal spent nearly 30 years at Johnson Middle School, teaching English and French, and also served as a teacher and coordinator for the AVID (advanced curriculum) program. She was named Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018. Mrs. Segal earned a Bachelor of Arts in French and Secondary Education from Florida State University and certificates in French language (CFLE) from L’Institut Catholique de Paris, La Sorbonne, and L’Universite de Bourgogne. She also completed coursework toward a Master of Arts in French at Middlebury College, Vermont.
  
  Education: Bachelor of Arts in French and Secondary Education from Florida State University ; certificates in French language (CFLE) from L’Institut Catholique de Paris, La Sorbonne and L’Universite de Bourgogne; coursework toward a Master of Arts in French from Middlebury College, Vermont.

   

  What motivated me to become a teacher?

  As a child, I never would have imagined that I’d be a teacher. I began college as a business major. As such, I was required to take a modern foreign language, as my years of high school Latin did not count.  I chose French on a whim.  My first class was taught by a teaching assistant, who was wonderfully gifted and passionate about the language.  I took the required courses but discovered I did not want to end there.  After much discussion with my family, I decided to change my major and become a teacher of French.   I wanted to be the kind of teacher who loved and motivated her students, just like the teaching assistant from whom I discovered my passion.  In my junior year I was awarded a scholarship to spend the summer in Paris and attend college at the Catholic Institute, which brought to life all that I had learned:  language, art, architecture, food, culture… I couldn’t wait to share my passion about all things French with my future students!  Fortunately, several years after graduation one summer, I ran into the TA at a museum in Paris and was able to share how she had influenced my choice of a career.

   

   

  What experiences have had the most influence on me?

  My previous training in the AVID program has had the most influence on me in terms of how students learn, process, and retain information.  It became abundantly clear early in my career that students not only needed to be engaged in what they were learning, but also held accountable to the highest standards while being provided academic and social support. Having been trained with these research-based strategies completely changed my perspective as a teacher.  Training other teachers in these methodologies has shown a positive influence in their classrooms as well.  I’m looking forward to sharing these skills with Holy Trinity students!

   

   
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  Ms. Martin

  Biology, Field Ecology, Physical Science
  Ms. Martin comes to HT with more than 20 years of experience teaching science for elementary, middle and high school students at schools including Horace Mann Academy, Riverdale Country Day School and Suntree Elementary. She taught biology and ecology at North Broward Preparatory School and served as math and science leadership academy chair at Viera Charter School. She has attended Johns Hopkins IAAY gifted program and Summer Institute for the Gifted. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida Institute of Technology.
  
  Education: Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida Institute of Technology

   

  What is the most important life lesson you want a child to learn in your classroom?
  Every student deserves a chance to learn and learning is only the beginning. By using project-based learning with real world application, I hope to teach skills that will be the foundation they will build upon as they move through their lives. 

   

  What motivated you to become a teacher?
  As a child, I loved playing school with my sisters. When I had the opportunity to work at the National Aquarium in Baltimore as a high school intern, I figured on becoming a marine biologist. But I found I liked the sharing of knowledge more, so I finished my degree in education and have been teaching ever since!

   

  What are some of your interests and passions outside of the classroom?
  I own and operate two different businesses, one for parties and one for tutoring. I enjoy hiking and camping in the mountains, SCUBA diving and reading and traveling with my kids. 

   

  What experiences have had the most influence on you?
  I’ve had the opportunity to travel, though not as much as I would like. I took classes in conjunction with the University of New South Wales in Australian Ecosystems and Coral Reef Ecology during a study abroad program. I have used them to design lessons and plan field trips many times since. It was the hands-on learning that grabbed me and it’s what motivates me today!

   
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