Brick Memorial Teacher Receives National Milken Educator Award

BRICK, NJ — Maria DeBruin thought she — and everyone else in the Brick Memorial gym — had gathered to listen state Department of Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington speak on the importance of college readiness.

DeBruin, who teaches Advanced Placement chemistry and honors chemistry at Brick Memorial High School, couldn't have been more mistaken. DeBruin, who has been a teacher at Brick Memorial since 2008, was the reason for the gathering: She was receiving the 2017-18 Milken Educator Award, one of 45 teachers nationally receiving the award, which comes with a $25,000 prize.

DeBruin, who worked as a chemist for five years before moving into the classroom, was honored for her innovative ways of not only teaching chemisty but of working to help and support all of her students, which include videotaping her lectures and putting them on Google Classroom so her students can review them later when they are doing their homework or if they are confused about something, Brick Memorial Principal Richard Caldes said.

"She sparked an interest in me in chemistry and she sparked my interest in going to college," said Kristen Kaye, a Brick Memorial senior. "She inspires me to work hard."

"She is dedicated to all of her students," said Caroline Kolbusz, another senior. "She really wants the best for us."

"She wrote all of our college recommendation letters," a third student chimed in.

DeBruin, who was the Brick Memorial Teacher of the year last year, also started the school's annual Science Night Out, where her students put on a show of science demonstrations and lead hands-on science activities at the event, which is open to the public and free.

"DeBruin, who conceived the event as a way to engage AP Chemistry students in the month between the AP exam in early May and the end of school, designed, markets and raises funds for the free community event," the Milken Family Foundation said in a news release.

The Milken Educator Awards, hailed by Teacher magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching” has been opening minds and shaping futures for 30 years, the news release said. "Research shows teacher quality is the driving in-school factor behind student growth and achievement."

The goal of the Milken Educator Awards is to not only celebrate innovative teachers but help inspire others around them.

DeBruin "is a very, very dedicated teacher," acting Superintendent Dennis Filippone said. "I've always said we have outstanding teachers in the district and she exemplifies that."

Filippone and Caldes both said DeBruin's enthusiasm for teaching and for connecting with her students has turned AP chemistry from a course that was offered sporadically to one in high demand.

"She's grown her program exponentially," Filippone said.

In DeBruin's classroom, junior John Dipetrillo said he had DeBruin for honors chemistry and followed up with the AP chemistry course because "she is the best teacher I've had," adding that her various ways of helping students make the subject more understandable.

“Maria DeBruin sets high standards of responsibility for herself and her students," said Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards. "Coming to the teaching profession from industry demonstrates the real-world applications and benefits of learning science and chemistry. With her passion and energy, and laser-focus attention to instructional planning that attracts all learners, Maria’s students grasp the materials instead of only chasing the grade."

In preparing students for the AP chemistry test, she recognizes them in the classrom with honors such as “Chemist of the Week” and the “The A Team,” where students who score a 90 or better on her AP chemistry tests get their name highlighted on a bulletin board in her classroom.

"Everyone finds their way there at some point," DeBruin said, explaining the board.

Since DeBruin took over the school’s AP Chemistry program in 2013, 87 percent of her students have passed the exam with a score of 3 or higher; the program has also grown substantially, with extra sections added to accommodate all the students who want to take her class, the district said.

Her Google Classroom videos, which also help students who miss class avoid falling behind, have been so successful that other teachers at Brick Memorial are now following suit, the district said. Students have access to a laptop cart and use response clickers and TurningPoint for interactive polling. Her extensive knowledge about lab equipment helped her convince the district to buy a spectrophotometer, which students now use regularly.

DeBruin serves on the School Improvement Committee, mentors incoming teachers and presents research at schoolwide meetings, the district said. She has attended the College Board’s AP Teacher Summer Institute, and shares her curriculum and materials freely with colleagues.

In addition to her work in the classroom, DeBruin advises the school’s Science Club and created the Fit Club to give students who are not athletes a judgment-free environment in which to exercise and learn about healthy living.

DeBruin holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Hofstra University and a master's in chemistry from Lehigh University. She received her teaching certificate in 2008 through Stockton College’s Alternate Route Program.

"I am here because of all of you," DeBruin said to the students in the gym. "You inspire me."

See the video of DeBruin receiving the award below, provided by the Milken Educator Awards and the Milken Family Foundation.

Photos: Maria DeBruin with some of her students. Maria DeBruin listens as NJ Education Commissioner Kimberly Harrington congratulates her on receiving the award. DeBruin receives a congratulatory hug from Principal Richard Caldes. Photos by Karen Wall, Patch staff