Noyce Scholar Profile
Viken Chouchanian
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Geometry, Middle School
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
California State University, Northridge, CSUN Robert Noyce Scholarship Program
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
None yet
Background:
I grew up in the Los Angeles area and attended school in Encino until I was 14. Then I went to boarding school in the Boston area, where I graduated and was accepted to an East coast college. However, due to measures beyond my control I was unable to attend and began working in the film industry at 18 years of age. I continued to work in the film industry until I was 29 years old, when I decided to pursue my dreams of getting a college degree. I started my college career at Pierce Community College before transferring to CSUN, where I am currently a junior enrolled in the Junior-Year Integrated Mathematics Teacher Credential Program.
Why do you want to teach:
Working in TV for so long, I was tired of working without a purpose other than money. I always enjoyed tutoring my friends, and just seeing how they actually enjoyed learning, I wanted to share that with all children. I want public school students to experience the same level of instruction I received at the boarding school.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
Since I haven’t taken any field experience classes as of yet, I can elaborate on a memorable experience as a student. I remember learning about gravity it my high school Physics class, and we were talking about the infamous “Hunter shooting a monkey in the tree problem.” Most of the students were confused, so the next day, our teacher set up an elaborate demonstration with a stuffed animal, and a air powered projectile simulating the problem. After demonstrating the experiment, EVERY student knew exactly how that problem was solved, and how physics relates to the real world.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Initially I thought that it would be a great way to pay for school, but I truly enjoy our meetings. The meetings help me see may of the issues and techniques that may be involved while teaching math. I view it as another methods class, but a much more pleasant and intimate version.
