Noyce Scholar Profile
Michaela Balkus
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Pacific University
School and school district:
Klamath Union High School, Klamath City Schools
Background:
I’ve been doing mathematics since I could talk. Since elementary school, I have had the desire to teach. It’s great that my passion for teaching and for mathematics can line up through the Noyce Program.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach to help enrich the lives of my students.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
After explaining the same concept at least three times, taking a different approach and looking at it from a different perspective, I finally helped students reach the “ah ha!” moment. This helped mathematics click for them all through high school.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has helped me get my teaching certificate and has allowed me to do what I love and what I want to be doing.
