Mr. DeMartini’s story at HSTAT isn’t just about coming back, it’s one of helping shape the very identity of the school. A proud graduate of the Class of 1989, he was part of the first freshman class the school ever had. “We were the beginning,” he says, “It was a small school, like a family. The relationships with teachers were strong, and it felt like a real community.”
It was those formative experiences that inspired him to return. While in college, Mr. DeMartini reached out to his former English teacher at Tele which rekindled his connection to the school. He began working as a substitute, and became a full-time teacher in 1996.
Why HSTAT? For Mr. DeMartini, the answer has always been clear: “This school was built on being different,” he says. “From day one, we looked beyond the traditional ways of doing things. Whether I was a student, a teacher, or an assistant principal, we always tried to maintain a school that was innovative and inclusive.”
He became the advisor for the school newspaper back when it barely existed, and used that platform to encourage students to express themselves and take initiative. “If you want to do something or challenge yourself, you can do it here,” he says. “It’s a small school, but that’s what makes it so special.”
With over ten years of leadership and double that time teaching under his belt, Mr. DeMartini reflects on how the school has evolved in his lifespan. “We revolutionized the school,” he says. “We’ve always kept things interesting. We’re constantly learning not just as teachers, but about our community, about how to grow and adapt.”
Of course, coming back brought its own challenges. “Calling my old teachers by their first names was strange,” he laughs. “And stepping back and seeing how much has changed…getting used to that was hard, but also exciting.”
Though the building may look different, and the student body has grown, Mr. DeMartini believes that the spirit of TELE hasn’t gone anywhere. “The school’s heart is still here. The spirit stays alive.”
For Mr. DeMartini, TELE is more than just a workplace: it’s a lifelong journey. From being one of the school’s first students to becoming a guiding force in its future, his commitment proves that when a school builds a strong foundation, the people who love it always find their way back.
