William Floyd High School chemistry teacher Kristen Drury has been selected as a member of Stony Brook University’s fifth class of honorees for the 40 Under Forty awards, a celebration recognizing a group of exceptional alumni under 40 who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen profession and who exemplify the “Spirit of Stony Brook,” which includes “commitment, passion, leadership and the pursuit of excellence.” Ms. Drury is the only K-12 public school educator in this year’s class of honorees.

“I am a first generation college graduate, which makes this award so special to me because it represents the hard work I put in to my education and career to get to where I am now,” said Ms. Drury, who has earned two degrees at Stony Brook University, a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry (2005) and a Master of Arts in liberal science studies (2007). “My family has always been so supportive of me during my studies and continue to cheer me on now. Attending the awards event brought back so many fond memories. I’m so proud to represent my alma mater and district.”

Ms. Drury is an accomplished chemistry teacher who has served for 15 years in the William Floyd School District. She is also a leader in her field who is no stranger to accolades. In 2014, she was named a New York State Master Teacher, she is the 2018 American Association of Chemistry Teachers “High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year” and a past recipient of the Empire State Excellence in Teaching award. She is a William Floyd Master Teacher and has been named an Outstanding Educator by the William Floyd Alumni Association (nominated by a former student). Last year she received the POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning) Early Achievement Award and a SCOPE Education Services Teacher Service Award. For the past several years, the College Board has tapped Ms. Drury for her expertise as an AP chemistry reader. She has also been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Chemistry Solutions, and on the American Association of Chemistry Teachers website and in the CHEM13 News Magazine (University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada).

Ms. Drury joins her colleague and fellow William Floyd High School chemistry teacher Martin Palermo, who was named a Stony Brook University 40 Under Forty recipient in 2017. Dan McCloskey, PhD, William Floyd High School Class of 1993, is another past 40 Under Forty recipient with a William Floyd connection. Mr. McCloskey, an associate professor at CUNY’s College of Staten Island, received the U.S. Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the nation’s highest honor for early career researchers.

“The extraordinary talent demonstrated by these individuals in their careers is a testament not only to the high-quality education they received at Stony Brook University, but also to the caliber of our entire student community,” said Interim University President Michael Bernstein. “We applaud the achievements of this year’s 40 Under Forty honorees.”

Awards are determined by the University's 40 Under Forty Awards Committee, comprised of representatives from Stony Brook University's senior administration, alumni leadership, faculty and deans. The 40 Under Forty Alumni Awards is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Alumni Association.