Noyce Scholar Profile
Darilyn Barney
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S., Mathematics Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Boston University
Current academic or teaching status:
First year graduate student
School and school district:
Waltham High School
Background:
After graduating high school as valedictorian, I attended New York University for a year and Portland State University (PSU) for a year, studying Opera at both schools. Eventually I transferred to Oregon State University (OSU) and switched to study mathematics. This past June 2010, I graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Math and an education option. I was a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon math honors society at OSU and Tau Sigma honor society at PSU. My experience in math includes tutoring for about three years independently and through Oregon State Athletics. Also, I interned for 120 hours at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Oregon with Eric Dazey. Currently I am at Boston University in the Masters of Art in Teaching program for mathematics!
Why do you want to teach:
I have always enjoyed math and, more so, helping my peers and others understand the complexities behind the subject. Math seems to get the “short end of the stick” with a negative stigma, and I would like to teach students that math is applicable and enjoyable. We need better math teachers, and I hope to be one of those.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
The year-long experience with my 8th grade math teacher stands out as the most memorable learning year. It would be impossible to encompass my respect for her in one single moment, so I will write about the entire year. She had a way of making algebra fun and exciting. She cared about each one of us, and I could tell that she cared about me and my learning. In class, we had lots of opportunities to teach our peers and present our work and discoveries. She used analogies that I still use and teach to students to this day. By the end of the year, I thought of her as a sister and knew that I wanted to teach the way she did; I wanted to show kids that learning is fun and math can be simple and comprehensable for anyone. Because of her, I am here doing what I am doing today.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has given me the feet to walk forward with my master’s. Without the support of the Noyce program, I wouldn’t be at Boston University getting what I believe to be, a stellar and prestigious education. I owe this degree to the Noyce program and its support helps me feel nurtured and important.
