Noyce Scholar Profile
Stevara Clinton
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Chemistry
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry, grades 10-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Current academic or teaching status:
Master's degree
School and school district:
Armstrong High School, Richmond, VA
Background:
I have bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemistry. I spent 4 years as a teaching assistant in the university chemistry courses.
Why do you want to teach:
I have read the overwhelming evidence that shows that our poorest children face the greatest educational challenges. It is because of this that I am drawn to teaching. I feel that students who attend underachieving urban schools deserve to be taught by highly qualified teachers who genuinely care for them. I want to see barriers knocked down and help these students realize what they are capable of achieving.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
My most memorable teaching experience is actually watching my grandmother teach. She is the reason for my interest in pursuing a career in teaching. She taught 8th grade math for 32 years, and I credit her for my love of the discipline. As I continued to learn more, I began to see the close relationship between math and science. I have always excelled in math, but in high school I developed a love for chemistry also due solely on the fact that I had such an amazing teacher. It was then that I realized I wanted to pursue a career that combined my interest in both teaching and science. I fell in love with the idea of possibly one day becoming that teacher.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program provides excellent support during the university experience and when you are in the classroom teaching.
