For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin 8:36 a.m. CT May 25, 2017

Pacelli High School teacher Joyce Krusa is pictured with Gary Shulfer, UW-Stevens Point chemistry professor and chair of the American Chemical Society-Central Wisconsin Section, after she was honored as the Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the organization.(Photo: Courtesy of Pacelli Catholic Schools)

STEVENS POINT - Pacelli High School teacher Joyce Krusa recently received the Chemistry Teacher of the Year award from theCentral Wisconsin Section of the American Chemical Society, a regional group of chemistry educators and professionals covering the central and northcentral Wisconsin region.

This year [the] ACS-Central Wisconsin Chapter has chosenan outstanding high school chemistry teacher that [is] deserving of special recognition, said Gary Shulfer, Chair of ACS-Central Wisconsin Chapter and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point chemistry professor, in the recent edition of the chapters newsletter.

Krusa has spent over 15 years of her professional life in science education, according to a release, and over 30 percent of her students pursue undergraduate degrees in science-related fields. She has taken on a large role in developing theSTEM and Project Lead the Waycurriculum at Pacelli, implementing both engineering and biomedical engineering tracks.

Currently, one of Krusa'sstudents is finishing a two-year STEM capstone internship with a local manufacturer, one of very few internships of this type for high school students in the state of Wisconsin.

Krusa was nominated for the award by a former student, according to the release. She was honored at theannual ACS-Central Wisconsin Chapter awards banquet on May 11 at Draganettis Ristorante in Eau Claire.

For my peers to recognize me for this award is one of the highlights of my teaching career, said Krusa in the release.

Pacelliprincipal Larry Theiss also submitted a recommendation letter on Krusas behalf.

She constantly strives to create projects and lessons that draw they students into the learning making it fun, engaging, and interesting, said Theiss in his letter. She challenges them to expand their understanding in order to help them achieve higher levels of understanding and critical thinking.

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Joyce Krusa named top chemistry teacher - Stevens Point Journal