Dr. William J. Brucker This is Me

Education

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1. 1. MPS 06-07 Opening Day for Staff

   www.madisonps.org/publications - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/28/2006   Last Visited: 9/27/2006

   Dr. William J. Brucker, Dr. Robert H. Brown Middle School
   
   Dr. William Brucker began his teaching career with the Madison Public Schools in 1970 as a physical education teacher at High Hill Elementary, now known as Kathleen Ryerson School.During his outstanding thirty-five year career as a teaching professional in Madison, he has worked with students in a variety of teaching capacities including physical education teacher, reading specialist, elementary teacher and currently as a middle school science teacher at Robert H. Brown School.With the exception of a one year leave to work with students in Florida, Bill has dedicated his professional career to providing an exciting educational program for students in Madison.
   
   In his current role as middle school science teacher, Bill embodies a ,Mr.Wizard, approach by engaging his students within the activities of his science lessons and units of study.He challenges the students to think critically and provides opportunities for them to explore the world of science through inquiry-based learning activities.His students are enthusiastic and motivated as they participate in their science work.
   
   In 2002, Bill became ,Dr.Brucker, upon completion of his doctoral research and dissertation on creativity.The dedication and diligence Bill exhibited by completing his doctoral work while continuing to teach is indicative of Bill,s strong worth ethic.It demonstrates his belief in the importance of being a life-long learner and setting an example for his students.He currently teaches graduate courses in reading and education at Southern CT State University.
   
   In addition to fulfilling his teaching responsibilities, Bill has made significant contributions to his profession through his role with the Madison Education Association where he has served in a variety of leadership positions including President and Vice-President of MEA.He also volunteered to help initiate the ,Odyssey of the Mind, program at Jeffrey and Academy Elementary Schools and has served on the state level with the Odyssey of the Mind program.Under his tutelage, several teams went on to participate in the World Odyssey of the Mind competitions.
   
   It is a privilege and a pleasure to honor Dr. William Brucker as he begins his thirty-fifth of teaching with the Madison Public Schools.

2. 2. www.shorepublishing.com

   www.shorepublishing.com/re.asp - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/5/2007   Last Visited: 4/5/2007

   Published on 4/5/2007 Over the course of his 37-year career in the Madison public school system, Branford resident Bill Brucker has developed quite an impressive and varied resume.
   
   Bill began as a physical education teacher, spent time as a resource instructor, and eventually settled into his current role as a fifth-grade science teacher at Brown Middle School.Along the way, Bill also coached the high school wrestling and track teams.
   
   While Bill says that he has enjoyed teaching students at every level, he has been especially pleased with his experience at Brown.
   
   "I work with people that want to be here-the kids, the teachers, the administration," says Bill."I get a lot of what I call psychological income from this job.That doesn't exist in all places across the state."
   
   Bill is so enthusiastic about his career, it's hard to believe that, nearly four decades ago, he almost went in an entirely different direction.
   
   "I always knew I wanted to work with kids," says Bill."I was going to be a dentist, but one of my professors said, 'I think you'd make a better teacher than you would a dentist.' I took on the challenge."
   
   Bill has never second-guessed his decision.
   
   "I've had the opportunity to work with kids and see that moment when school is fun," says Bill."Fifth grade is one of those special times in a child's school career.It's hard to put into words, but school still brings a special spark to [the student's] childhood at that age...The kids feel like they have a license to speak a lot and write a lot."
   
   Bill credits a program he attended at the Columbia Writing Institute for Teachers with helping him to better reach his students through more interdisciplinary methods.
   
   "It was the biggest thing to influence my teaching," he says."It caused a 180-degree turn in how I taught."
   
   Completing his doctorate in education at Southern Connecticut State University in 2003 also enriched Bill's teaching.
   
   "Having the doctorate has opened up all kinds of doors and avenues," says Bill, who has taught graduate-level courses in education part-time at Southern for four years and will continue to do so after he retires from Brown this spring.
   
   Bill's dissertation was a study examining how teachers use critical thinking skills to ignite their students' creativity.
   
   Bill has always demonstrated an interest in encouraging his students' creativity, most notably as the spontaneous problem solving coach for the Madison students who participated in the 1990 Odyssey of the Mind competition.Bill accompanied his team to Iowa State University, where his students placed an incredible 27th in the world.
   
   "That was one of the highlights of my career," says Bill proudly.
   
   Looking back over his long tenure in Madison, Bill says that the children he's encountered haven't changed much.
   
   "Kids are still kids," says Bill, "The traits that make them special are the same.

3. 3. Red Dog on the Gridiron, Corndog in the Lab :: Alkanes, mycobacteriophages, molecules and blitzes. That's what is in Bill Brucker's head on a daily basis.

   brownbears.cstv.com/sports/m-f - [Cached]

   Published on: 10/3/2002   Last Visited: 1/10/2007

   That's what is in Bill Brucker's head on a daily basis.
   ...
   Bill Brucker '04: The Brown Biochemist By Meaghann Schulte, Brown Sports Information
   
   Alkanes, mycobacteriophages, molecules and blitzes.That's what is in Bill Brucker's head on a daily basis.
   
   Brucker, a junior from Bethel Park, PA, is a three-year member of the Brown University Football team, who is as comfortable in the chemistry laboratory as he is on the football gridiron.Brucker's scientific work has made him a leader in the field of molecular biology, but he says that he would not have been able to do his work in the lab without his dedication on the field.
   
   "The winning tradition!' That is what Bill Brucker exclaimed when asked about his decision to choose Brown University over MIT, Penn and Carnegie Melon, three other schools who had recruited Bill to play football.Once he visited the Brown campus there was no question where he was going to attend school.
   
   "The students were more unique and had done interesting things; the faculty and student body were much more personable and some of the professors actually met with my family," said Brucker of his visit to Brown as a high school student.For Brucker to speak of interesting things that students have done is almost unreal, especially because of his achievements in the laboratory.
   
   Brucker's most profound work since coming to College Hill has come in biochemistry.After his freshman year at Brown, Bill earned the 2001 CRC Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award for attaining the highest GPA(4.0) in his class.
   
   Brucker was a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where he worked in the Dr. Graham F. Hatfull Lab under the noted Dr. Graham Hatfull himself.During his research at Pittsburgh, Brucker discovered three molecules, two of which are being submitted for publication.
   
   One of the molecules, Corndog, named after its unusual shape, is featured on the University of Pittsburgh's biological website.The study of Corndog and other new mycobacteriophages will fuel the development of new strategies for controlling mycobacterial diseases.Brucker said that the other molecule being submitted, Omega, that deals with genetics, "was like opening a walnut and finding a truck."
   
   Another academic achievement that Brucker has added onto his resume is the prestigious Royce Fellowship in Chemistry, presented to him following his sophomore year.
   ...
   Bill received the Royce Fellowship because of his work with alkanes titled "The Synthesis and Reactivity of Perfluorinated Iron Pthalocyanine."Alkanes are a class of components that are extremely unreactive, making them almost useless in industry and chemical synthesis.Bill is working to find a way to make alkanes more useful by observing the oxidative effects of the first perflourinated iron pthalocyanine compound on various alkanes.
   
   Brucker earned the Royce Fellowship while working under associate professor Dr. Sergiu M. Gorun in the Brown Department of Chemistry.
   ...
   "At first the commitment was hard, but football made me stronger in the classroom, said Brucker."I could not have done my research without football.I would rather have it harder than easier in the classroom - it means you have been through the mill and it makes me want to work more."
   
   Bill believes that the best part of Brown football is his teammates.He says that they are like a second family.He has also encountered "very understanding coaches" when it comes to his research.During Spring football when Brucker had to leave practices for a few days to attend a scientific conference in Florida, his coaches were extremely supportive of his work.
   
   "Bill Brucker is an extraordinary type of person, who brings academics to a whole other level, not to mention his passion for football," said Head Coach Phil Estes.
   ...
   With an Ivy League Championship on his mind (and the entire team's mind), Bill has also set personal goals.Suffering from a torn muscle in his chest, Brucker would like to recover in time to play for the Bears and contribute to the success of the team.
   
   If Brucker's determination on the playing field reflects his work in the lab, there is no doubt he will return to the gridiron to help the Bears in their quest for an Ivy League title.