Special to the Chronicle

A Lexington County teacher is the SC Department of Defense teacher of the year.

Julie Krusen, biomedical sciences instructor at The Center for Advanced Technical Studies in Lexington-Richland School District 5 recieved the DoD Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Teacher of the Year award.

Krusen was selected from a group of 30 teachers for her educational excellence in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics. The award is provided through the sponsorship of the US Army, Navy and Air Force, and is administered by the Academy of Applied Science.

“A teacher is the heart and soul of these events,” said Dr. Don M. Jordan, SC JSHS Director. “Without the willingness of the teacher to devote their time, energies and expertise to students, there would be no symposium. We congratulate Julie for what she does for science and math education in South Carolina.”

Krusen has 16 years of experience in science education in School District 5. Credited for developing the biomedical sciences curriculum taught at The Center as an inaugural staff member, her work is now a model for the state.

“I am honored to have received this honor from the SC JSHS, but it would not have been possible without the hard work of our Biomedical Science students, my co-teacher Ms. Howell, and the support and vision of our administration,” said Krusen.

“Conducting individual student research projects has allowed our students to win awards and receive patents that have helped set biomedical students at The Center apart from their peers when it comes time to apply for college, internships, and scholarships.”