Students who walked into Chemistry this year were greeted not only by new concepts and formulas but also by a new face, Mr. Thomas Renfro. Coming from teaching at Fairdale High School in JCPS, Renfro is excited to continue his teaching career at Trinity. This year, he is teaching Advanced Chemistry and Academic Chemistry for sophomores.

Renfro was born and raised in Louisville and has always appreciated the sense of community that the city has to offer. Being able to live near his family, as well as in a place that is “easy to get around,” Renfro feels right at home both in Louisville and now at Trinity.

Chemistry wasn’t always a definite choice for Renfro. He was torn between whether he liked history or chemistry more, his two favorite subjects. “Science has always kind of been a passion of mine. I wasn’t sure about chemistry at first, but the more I learned about it, the more I started to enjoy it,” Renfro said. His enthusiasm grew for the subject over time, which eventually led him to the classroom, where he now gets to share his passion with students.

Trinity’s tradition and reputation played a significant role in Renfro’s decision to teach here. “Trinity just has a great tradition. It’s a great school. There are great people here. I could not say enough about how prestigious I feel,” Renfro said. While the transition from JCPS to an all-boys Catholic school might sound like a big adjustment, Renfro said it has been easier than expected. “Meeting all the students has probably been my favorite part so far. Everybody’s been pretty cool,” he explained. He has also been impressed with his students’ work ethic, noting that both his Academic and Advanced Chemistry students have all been “really hardworking.”

Like any new teacher, Renfro has had some mentors helping him adjust to the unfamiliar environment. He credits Ms. Moses, his assigned mentor, with being “a ton of help through the process.” Other teachers like Mr. Doctor, Mr. Nathanson, Mr. Rand, and Ms. Reedy have also offered their support along the way. Many of these teachers are located near his classroom.

Looking to the future, Renfro continues to see himself inside the classroom for a long time, though he could also see himself eventually stepping into an administrative role. His passion for teaching is clear, and he mentioned that one day his own son, now only two years old, might sit in his chemistry classroom.

It is safe to say that Mr. Renfro is off to a strong start at Trinity. With his enthusiasm for science, his appreciation for the Trinity community, and his focus on his students, Thomas Renfro is sure to leave a lasting impact on the school.