Noyce Scholar Profile
Marakina Allen
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Math, Geometry, Algebra. grades 6-8
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Utah
Current academic or teaching status:
First Year Teacher
School and school district:
West Hills Middle School, Jordan School District
Background:
I was born and raised in Utah and always enjoyed school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life until I was almost ready to graduate with my associate’s degree. At that point I discovered teaching. The next semester, I started taking teaching classes at the University of Utah, and I have found my calling.
Why do you want to teach:
I love math and I want to pass that love along to my students. I believe learning math is learning a new way to think, and you can look at the world in a new way when you can see math in everyday life.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I had one Geometry student who was struggling with a topic we were studying in class. She came in after school with a friend from class. I decided to have her friend help, so I had the friend start explaining the concept and I filled in a few gaps and gave some directions. When I saw the two friends talking about the concepts they learned and even talking about my ways to remember the different angles and the angle pair relationships, I knew I was in the right place
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has given me the opportunity to work and to learn at the same time. I have been able to expand my own knowledge which I know benefits my students. At the same time, I am able to meet with other teachers in the program, and I have found new ways to teach my students the concepts they need. I believe the Noyce program is helping me become a better teacher.
