WELCOME TO THE BFA MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
The Mathematics Department has developed a curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of every student at BFA. We offer courses so that each student can take courses that are appropriate for his or her mathematical development. The courses are carefully sequenced to provide reinforcement of previously learned concepts and sequential development of new material. Each course has prerequisites that are designed to ensure that every student will have a high probability of success.
Karla Kane, Program Leader kkane@maplerun.org
I grew up in the greater St. Albans community, am a BFA graduate, and have been a proud (second generation) BFA educator since 1989. I received my bachelor’s degree from Keene State College and master’s degree from St. Michael’s College. My childhood home in Georgia is now home for me and my two cats (and the two outdoor stray cats who have adopted us). Since all of my immediate family also lives in Vermont, I am able to frequently enjoy what is the most important part of my life…time with my family. I am also passionate about playing and watching all types of sports, being outside, doing small do-it-yourself projects around the house, being physically active, attending concerts with friends, and I am extremely passionate about all things BFA.
Luke Cioffi
lcioffi@maplerun.org
As a BFA alumnus, I am extremely proud to be a member of the BFA/NCTC family since 1992. I have been fortunate to have many opportunities to work with students and staff in various ways over the years. I have coached the Comet hockey team since they started in 2000! I have coached freshmen softball, Freshmen/JV football and numerous youth teams during my career. I am currently teaching Accelerated Algebra I, Geometry in Construction and Pre-Calculus to BFA & NCTC students. I have also been teaching online math classes since 2010 through Vermont Virtual Learning Collaborative and Virtual High School! I am blessed to have a wonderful family that are all local and active within the community. During my free time I enjoy working in the flower/vegetable gardens and DIY projects at our home. I enjoy various activities with family and friends, putting miles on my bike during the summer, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Keith Jackson
kjackson@maplerun.org
Hello. My name is Keith Jackson and I joined the faculty at Bellows Free Academy in 2004. My father was in the Air Force, so I grew up in Idaho, England, and New Mexico. I was a soldier in the Army, an assistant manager at 7-11, and a journeyman electrician before becoming a teacher. I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont and my graduate degree from Southern New Hampshire University. I live in Burlington with my wife, who is a nurse at UVM Medical Center. We have two daughters, one who is currently in college and another who will be headedoff to college soon. I have a black lab named Myson. I love watching Dallas Stars hockey games and have not missed one in over 20 years. I also enjoy video games on my computer and X-box, skiing, woodworking, camping, and watching movies.
Dr. Jennifer Parent
jparent@maplerun.org
Grew up in: Sacramento/Santa Barbara, California
Live in: Georgia, Vermont
Education: University of California, Santa Barbara (BS), Pepperdine University (MA), University of Vermont (Ed.D)
Years Teaching: I taught in Southern California for three years starting in 2002, and then came to BFA in 2005.
Subjects: I teach Geometry and Pre-Calculus. I am pleased to be able to offer my Pre-Calc students dual-enrollment through CCV.
Family Life: My husband Alan (BFA ‘92) and I have three children, Addie, Beau, and Theo. We are busy with our kids’ activities, maintaining the 55 acres that we live on, and being outdoors as much as possible. We have a dog (Sadie), two cats (Willow and Lulu), chickens and tropical fish. I love to garden, crochet, read, workout, travel, go camping, attend concerts, socialize with my friends and family, but especially hangout with my three kids.
Involvement at BFA: Head Yearbook Advisor, Powder Puff Coach/Coordinator, Student Leadership Prom & Dance Council Advisor
Mead Sturgeon
msturgeon@maplerun.org
Hello! I have been teaching mathematics at “The Academy” since 2007 and there is much that I am thankful for. Every school year brings the opportunity to build new relationships with students inside the classroom. Although I do enjoy mathematics, working alongside students is my real passion as an educator. Outside of the school building I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family. We are all life-long Franklin County Vermonters, and both my wife and I are proud graduates of BFA. As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors and being active; giving back to our community; sitting around a campfire; playing board games and card games; spending time with family and friends; and watching live sports on TV.
Corrie Sweet
csweet@maplerun.org
I grew up on a dairy farm in Fletcher, Vermont and attended BFA, Fairfax. After graduating from the University of Vermont, I worked in business in Manhattan, NYC. Upon completion of my Masters in Elementary Education I worked in elementary schools in Connecticut and New York.
After moving back to Vermont in 2000 I completed a certificate of advanced study in curriculum and leadership from the University of Vermont.
My wife, Lisa, is a kindergarten teacher at BFA, Fairfax. We have two children, Andrew and Abigail. Andrew is currently working here at BFA and Abby is a student at UVM. I enjoy being in the woods, four wheeling, skiing, gardening and fishing.
Cam Caforia
ccaforia@maplerun.org
I grew up in Montgomery Vermont, and have been a lifelong Vermonter. I went to college at Saint Michael's where I met my wife. At BFA, I teach Algebra, AC Algebra II, Applied Math and Statistics. I am the snowboarding coach. I spend some of my down time officiating soccer and basketball. If I am not on the slopes or the field, I am most likely playing golf or spending time outside with my friends or family. Finally, if the weather is not cooperating, I enjoy watching the Red Sox, Giants and UCONN basketball. I also enjoy playing cards and watching a good show with my wife.
Lauren Liberatore
lliberatore@maplerun.org
I teach Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra 2 here at BFA. I coach the JV A girls’ volleyball team and also am an advisor for the Spirit Council and the Athletic Council. This is my fifth year at BFA and I am so lucky to be here!
My husband, Andrew, and I both grew up in Rotterdam, NY and moved to VT to pursue our careers in a new environment. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics & Secondary Math Education from SUNY Potsdam in 2020 and my Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the College of Saint Rose in 2023.
Outside of school I enjoy traveling with my husband and spending time with our two dogs, Gracie Mae and Oliver. I also like to garden, cook, craft, play volleyball, watch way too much TV, and listen to true crime podcasts.
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and I am so excited that I’m at BFA!
Nicole Schubert
nschubert@maplerun.org
As BFA’s Math Interventionist since 2020, I teach Math Seminar, Algebra 1 and Geometry. Before BFA, I taught MS/HS Math in Honolulu, Hawai’i, for 9 years. I grew up in Seattle and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University in 2002. Before teaching, I worked in hospitality/management for 13 years, and earned an MBA at Colorado Technical University in 2009. In 2011 I earned a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Mathematics at Lewis and Clark Graduate School in Portland, OR.
Outside of school I enjoy hiking, pickleball, watching sports, canoeing, training and racing with my Dragon Boat team (Dragonheart Vermont), snowboarding, visiting National Parks, traveling, and discovering new places. I am an advisor for the BFA Social Justice Club and BFA GSA. I am passionate about making Math fun and achievable for all students!
Alex Furst
afurst@maplerun.org
Applied Math I & Applied Math II
Math League Coach
Hey! My name is Alex Furst, and I currently teach Algebra 1, Applied Math I and II, and Pre-Calculus, and am also co-coach of the BFA Math League! I was born and raised in the Midwest, and graduated from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) with engineering and business degrees. After some forays into automotive and electronics, I decided I wanted to do something more fulfilling with my life, so I decided to become a math teacher and have loved it so far! I'm an avid hiker, love being outside as much as possible, and spend my lazy days reading. I love to travel and am working to see everything there is to see in this world. I'm relatively new to Vermont, but have fallen in love with it and am happy to be teaching here at BFA!
Adam Taft
ataft@maplerun.org
Hello everyone. I joined the staff at BFA in 2022 and I teach Earth Science and Geometry and am very excited to be here.
I grew up in England, went to college in England, and then met my Californian wife, Caroline, in Uganda in 2008. I moved to California in 2009 and taught 6th through 12th grade Mathematics and Science there. I also tutored students in those subjects too.
My wife and I moved to Highgate Center, Vermont in 2019 and have loved living here. She unfortunately passed away in June, 2024 and our 13 year old labradoodle then passed away in July. I miss them both and believe I’ll see them again one day.
I have a daughter, Alicia, who still lives in California, works and now has her own labradoodle.
I like to swim, ride my bike, hike, cook, watch a good movie, and do some building/construction projects for fun.