Noyce Scholar Profile
John Agostinelli
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis on Engineering, Communications, and Philosophy
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Toledo
Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate Student
School and school district:
Currently a substitute teacher
Background:
I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland called Amherst. I came to the University of Toledo to be an engineer and run track. I discovered two things about myself in college: 1) I am extremely extroverted and had to be around people all the time and 2) I had a passion to work with students. After graduating, I got a job as a college recruiter for Toledo’s College of Engineering. After six years in the position, I went back to get my teaching certificate so I can increase my impact and interaction with high school students. I consider myself to be a “math-geek.”
Why do you want to teach:
I am in a season of my life where I want to invest in the lives of others in hopes that they will be better off after interacting with me. Looking back at my life, success for me would be using my gifts and talents to build up the next generation. Teaching also is an opportunity for me to utilize my high energy personality.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my student methods experience, I was teaching Advanced Geometry and a substitute was supervising me. This was my first day teaching the whole lesson. A girl needed a restroom pass so the sub asked me where the pass was, and I got it for them. When the girl returned, she looked paler than usual and was having trouble walking. The sub asked if she was feeling okay and she said, “Yes.” A few minutes later she told the sub she wanted to go down to the nurse. As she was walking into the hallway, she passed out from low blood sugar. They had to get her a wheel chair to take her to the nurse. If I had to do that all myself, the lesson wouldn’t have been taught, and I would panicked– loudly disturbing the other classes. I didn’t even know where the nurse’s office was. On top of all this, I forgot how to turn in the on-line attendance and had to get the assistance of another teacher delaying the start of class. An interesting first day to say the least!
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
It is a chance to go and find the students who have the greatest need for a role model. Noyce equipped me with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to work with students as soon as possible. Just as a football team has different coaches focusing on various aspects of the team to enhance it, the Noyce staff supported me to be the best teacher I could be.
