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Linda

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Noyce Scholar Profile

Linda Brasher

Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: MAT-Mathematics Education

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:
Georgia State University/Urban Mathematics Educators Program

Current academic or teaching status:
5th year teaching

School and school district:
Grady High School, Atlanta Public Schools

Background:

After many years of working as a director for the YMCA, I decided to return to school and become a high school mathematics teacher. At the YMCA I learned training skills and supervised a lot of teenagers, which helped with the transition. I studied mathematics as an undergraduate at Georgia State University and graduated with honors. I decided to continue with my master’s in mathematics education so I applied for the TEEMS program. After working for a non-profit, the urban environment seemed like a great fit so I applied and received a Robert Noyce scholarship for teaching urban mathematics. I completed my master’s in a year. I went to work as a teacher for Salem High School in Rockdale County. The next year I was promoted to Athletic Director and Mathematics Teacher at Rockdale County High School. The following year I decided to move to a more urban environment and work in the city of Atlanta at Grady High School. I have been at Grady for three years and love every minute of it.

Why do you want to teach:

I want to teach because I have a passion for students. I understand not every kid will become a mathematician, but they all can become great problem solvers. I think more than teaching, I want to be a great motivator. I want my students to have fun and be successful in class. I want to let them know they are great even if they are not strong at math.

Describe a memorable teaching experience:

During my second year of teaching I was Athletic Director and teaching a full math schedule. The school I was working at had a student die during summer football practice the year before I started. My principal was very focused on athletics and making sure all paperwork and procedures were in order. Often, focus was placed on athletics over the classroom. I was never comfortable with the decision so I always did my best to give my math students full attention in the classroom. At the end of the year, I felt like I was not the best teacher I could be due to being pulled in so many directions. The next year I transferred to Grady High School. At the end of my first year, I received an invitation to attend a banquet in Rockdale County. The invitation was for teachers who had changed a student’s life, but it did not tell you the student who had nominated you. When I attended the banquet, I discovered that I had been nominated by a student I taught the year I was athletic director. She said I changed her dislike of math, now it was her favorite subject, and she was more focused on school. In all honesty, I felt I had done an injustice to my students that year, and I would have never guessed I actually influenced one. This experience showed me that I can change a student’s life. It can happen when one least expects it.

What does the Noyce program mean to you:

The program first provided me with a great education. The foundation I received from Georgia State University and the Urban TEEMs program was great. Since graduation, the program has provided me with additional support and training.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant Numbers DUE-2041597 and DUE-1548986. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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