Noyce Scholar Profile
Jillian Allen
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Secondary Education, Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 6-8
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Towson University
Current academic or teaching status:
First-Year Teacher
School and school district:
Howard County (MD) School District
Background:
I am a graduate of the Towson University class of 2011. Since the age of five, teaching is all I have ever wanted to do. One may think that five years old is too young to know what someone wants to do for the rest of their life, but not me. Despite the “not so glamorous” aspects of teaching, the reputation of teaching, and the talk about minimal teacher salaries, no one could discourage me from fulfilling my destiny. I admired all of my teachers, and I looked up to them for who they were and how they did their job. Most of my teachers have impacted my life in a positive way, and I always respected that, so in turn, I wanted to positively impact the lives of other children. If I was asked to pick three words to best describe me, I would choose outgoing, hardworking, and kindhearted. Outgoing, because I love to meet new people and experience new things. Being outgoing contributes to my academic success because I feel as though my work reflects who I am. I take pride in everything I turn in and like to make my work be notable; I like to give it my own signature. I want my academics to always show the true me. Next, I would describe myself as hardworking because school and work are very important to me. Being hardworking contributes to my academics because I continuously remind myself that I am the little engine that could. Despite some of the adversity, and what others might think, I can do anything I want with just some hard work and dedication, and I think my academics speaks volumes for that. Lastly, I am kind hearted because I love helping others and giving back to the community, especially younger children. I worked at a non-profit resident camp for children from the inner city of Philadelphia for two years. Those were the best two summers of my life. Being kind hearted has contributed to my academic success because working at that camp made me even more passionate about my career goals and makes me want to work even harder to see them through.
Why do you want to teach:
In my opinion, teaching is the most important career. Teachers mold and shape the future of America. My favorite aspect about teaching is being able to touch lives and in return be inspired by others’ lives. Teaching is not a 9-to-5 job; teaching is something that you have to have a passion for, and I believe I hold that passion to the fullest. Another reason why I admire the teaching profession so much is because it’s a learning experience within itself; I think that you get as much back as you put it–the students are not the only ones learning. I believe that becoming a teacher holds the key to my future. One day I hope to establish after-school recreation programs for inner city schools. This would allow children to stay off the streets, have a safe place for tutoring, or simply a safe environment while parents are still at work. I have always been told that I “make things happen,” and I believe that a degree from Towson University will be a valuable stepping stone in making my dreams come true. Teaching has a unique quality, something that I am passionate about. It is something that I care about deeply and take pride in.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
A memorable teaching experience was my first day of school as a first-year teacher.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means everything to me. My fellow Noyce members at Towson are like my extended family, and the support and advice they give gets me through some of my really bad days.
