He’s an innovative “dynamo” who engages his students and inspires a passion in them to conduct meaningful research.

He’s Conestoga High School chemistry teacher Derrick Wood, a White House Presidential Award winner and key member of the recent Traphagen Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series during the 35th anniversary celebration of the Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE) at his alma mater, Drew University.

“He is a master teacher,” Conestoga Principal Amy Meisinger said in a Drew announcement of the White House accolade. “He connects with kids and instills in them a love of chemistry.”

A member of the Drew Class of 2004 before excelling as a teacher at Conestoga High, Wood has become a prominent example of the power of mentorship — both being mentored by members of the university’s RISE initiative and becoming a great mentor himself.

“Walking out of Drew with [published work] — I was beside myself,” Wood said of the “truly remarkable experience” of being mentored by Professor Emeritus James Miller as a senior.

At Conestoga, Wood translated that example into the launch of a Science Olympiad in his school district, an AP chemistry review book he has authored and original research he works on with his students.

Read more about Wood’s experiences at Drew and awards since on the university’s website here and here.