CONGRATULATIONS TO BERNARDS HIGH SCHOOL'S 2011-2012 EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR:
Ms. Karen DeTrolio
Ms. DeTrolio has taught Bernards High School's Advanced Placement Environmental Science course for two years and this year she is also teaching Anatomy and Physiology (A), a new course at Bernards. In previous years, she also taught Biology, Biology (A), and Biology (H).
Ms. DeTrolio's students often complete inquiry-based labs and she utilizes frequent formative assessments such as Do Nows and Ticket Outs. She incorporates technology into her lessons on a daily basis; she utilizes the SmartBoard as well as PowerPoint and she posts her materials and assignments on her SchoolFusion webpage. Ms. DeTrolio's nominator for this recognition noted that every time she speaks with her, Ms. DeTrolio "expresses creativity, innovation, and efficiency in the classroom" and that "the science content that she teaches jumps off the page as she incorporates real world examples and scenarios along with a multitude of hands on activities."
She has planned and coordinated multiple unique learning experiences for her students, including a trip to Rutgers to tour the Ecological Preserve, the Solar Farm, and the Cogeneration Plant; a trip to Liberty Science Center's Cardiac classroom to interact with a surgical team during a live broadcast of an open heart surgery; and multiple trips to Penn's Brook where her students worked with members of the Great Swamp Watershed Association monitoring water quality. She also arranged to have a permaculture expert guest speaker for her AP Environmental class and a medical doctor as a guest speaker in her Anatomy and Physiology class.
Ms. DeTrolio also serves as the adviser to Green Team and has been involved in numerous environmental programs at the high school and in the Bernardsville community. Under her leadership, Green Team members have created and continue to maintain a native species garden in a courtyard at the high school. In addition, Ms. DeTrolio played an integral role in the preparation of Bernards' successful application to be recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a Green Ribbon School; a distinction that we share with only four other schools in the state and only 78 schools in the nation.
Ms. DeTrolio relentlessly pursues professional development opportunities as she searches for ways to increase her already vast content knowledge. Her tireless work on behalf of her students is truly remarkable. She motivates students to do their very best and is well respected by students, faculty and staff. Ms. DeTrolio's rapport with her students is exceptional and she is one of the most diligent teachers in the building. Bernards High School is extremely lucky to have Ms. DeTrolio, a dedicated and enthusiastic educator.
Congratulations Ms. DeTrolio!
