What better affirmation for a teacher to receive than a distinguished university award based on the recommendation of a former student? This June Delbarton AP physics teacher Greg Devine will be one of five high school teachers from around the country to receive a 2012 Northwestern University Distinguished Secondary Teacher Awards.
The five educators were chosen as the result of a nominating process involving Northwestern seniors asked to describe high school teachers who touched their lives. Former Delbarton and current Northwestern engineering student Luke Hemenetz '08 nominated Devine, his AP physics teacher, for the award which includes $2,500 for each teacher and $2,500 for their schools. Devine will join Hemenetz to receive the special award during Honors Day (June 14) and Commencement (June 15) at Northwestern in Evanston, IL.
In addition to teaching AP physics at Delbarton, Devine advises the Engineering and Design Club -- stay tuned for breaking news on this year's Panasonic Competition -- and directs the jazz, wind and brass ensembles. Hemenetz says of Greg Devine, "He was always a great teacher who pushed students to challenge themselves. He was always willing to help and see students succeed. Whether it was staying late for music groups or coming to school over break to help the Panasonic teams, he was always enthusiastic and went far beyond the expectations of any teacher. "
Devine's fellow award-winning educators teach around the country at high schools in Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Read more about them here.
Delbarton Headmaster Br. Paul Diveny says, “Greg Devine sparks a passion for learning in his students and his students respond in kind. With a true passion for teaching and self-renewal, Greg is a life-long learner himself, and this is what he models to his students.” Receiving teaching awards is getting to be a bit of a habit for Greg Devine. In 2010 he was one of four educators honored at the Princeton graduation as one of Princeton University's Distinguished Secondary School Teaching Award, nominated by Connor Pigott '09.
A good example of the power of Devine's mentorship is Luke Hemenetz himself, who soon graduates with dual degrees, a Bachelors of Science and a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, to begin a job with Boeing at their space exploration center. Hemenetz is also a finalist in the Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Student Design Competition.
The Delbarton community salutes Greg Devine on receiving this well-deserved recognition from Northwestern University.