Todd Hoffman is in a reflective mood. After 20 years at Trinity-Pawling, he’s done it all. He’s successfully coached JV and thirds hockey, lacrosse at all levels, and JV football. He’s been a dorm parent. He’s taught history at nearly every grade level. He served as the Dean of Faculty, assisted with The Phoenix and the Radio Station, delivered memorable game coverage as the live stream varsity football and lacrosse commentator, and been a quintessential presence on the campus of Trinity-Pawling for the last two decades, where — in addition — he and his wife have raised two daughters.
Now, Hoffman is doing something new, and he’s excited to use his experience to guide a future generation of learners.
This fall, Hoffman assumed the duty of Middle School Coordinator after the retirement of Debbie Coratti. “I’m excited and energized by a new task in an old setting. I learned a lot from Debbie. I started in the Middle school. She taught me to mellow out. Now I’m like a piece of copper wire,” he laughed as he reflected on his early days as a teacher. Seriously though, Hoffman isn’t that bendable. He has a steely goal for his leadership of Middle School. “Look, I live each day wanting — trying — to be a better person. My goal in the Middle School is to give the boys something of value every day, because it’s a precious time at that age. The world can be tough,” he continued, “but a good classroom can be a slice of heaven. I feel like each day is a miracle, and I’m grateful that I can be a consistent presence in these young lives.”
As my time with Hoffman drew to close, I found myself pining for more. Thoughtfulness and grace seemed to be oozing out of the wily veteran who started his teaching career on September 11, 2001, after arriving via New York City and Albany. Being in his presence on this particular morning felt like a little slice of heaven, if you will. It was as if I’d caught someone in a state of contemplative enlightenment. “I try to be in the best possible mood for whoever is around. You know, as we get older — we do things we don’t want to do. Being in this role — this is what I want to do. Being here,” Hoffman’s finger traced the surrounding campus, “I feel very lucky.”
The Middle School students and parents, as well as the entire community of Trinity-Pawling is very lucky – in fact, blessed – to have Todd Hoffman in our midst.
By The Reverend Daniel Lennox