Noyce Scholar Profile
Stephanie Brand
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S., Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 6-12
Category of stipend/stipend/fellowship:
Undergraduate Noyce scholar (junior and/or senior year)
Name of Institution:
Benedictine University/BEST Scholarship
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
N/A
Background:
This year I am a senior at Benedictine University majoring in mathematics with a minor in secondary education. I am from Crestwood, IL and attended Alan B Shepard High School.
Why do you want to teach:
Ever since I was in middle school, I knew that I wanted to be a math teacher. I had a friend in my 8th grade math class who struggled with math. I was very good at it, and he would always come to me for help. One day after receiving our graded quizzes, my friend did substantially better than before. He came to me and was so excited, and I was just as excited. I ultimately want to teach because I love seeing the "light bulb moment" happen for students and seeing them succeed in the field of mathematics. This is one of the subjects that most students do not like and settle by telling themselves they are not good at it. I want to show students that every one is capable of learning math as well as succeeding at it.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my second pre-clinical at Benedictine, I worked with 6th grade students twice a week for 2 hours each day. One day I stayed an extra class period to work with students on homework. Most of these students did not know me because I was not typically there during their class. The students immediately felt comfortable with me and asked for help with their homework. After walking them through a few problems, one said "Ohhhhh I see!"
This really stands out to me because I realized that I could work with a group of students who do not know me, yet they felt comfortable with me quickly. I slowly walked them through a few problems and ultimately saw the impact on their learning.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
This is my second year receiving the Noyce grant. Over the course of these two years, it has meant so much to me. This program has shown me how valuable teachers going into the STEM field are and how we can make a difference in students' lives. Being a Noyce Scholar has also given me confidence in my field and has pushed me to keep going even when times got tough. Financially, this program has helped me with school and has allowed me to focus more on my academics and reach my goals instead of worrying about my financial situation. I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity.
