Noyce Scholar Profile

Warren Collier
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: MS Chem Eng, BS Chemistry
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: High School Chem, Phys, Earth Science
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Kennesaw State University
Current academic or teaching status:
MAT-Chem
School and school district:
Field Experience: Peachtree Ridge HS, Gwinnett County
Background:
Warren Collier spent 25 years with Kimberly-Clark using his degrees in chemistry (UNC-CH), chemical engineering (GT) and business (Emory) to develop new materials for disposable personal care absorbent products.
Why do you want to teach:
He enjoyed working with young adults as a volunteer director of a local junior sailing program for 3 years and really enjoyed tutoring middle school and high school students in math and science. Thus, the NOYCE Teaching Fellow Program provided the vehicle to propel his career change to become a secondary science teacher. He hopes to convince the students in his classes that science and math are relevant to their lives and can lead to better understanding of the wonders of the world around them.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
Having the students call me “Reverend” because I was preaching some chemistry to them during my student teaching experience.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The NOYCE program has put me in contact with others who have the similar interests in teaching in the STEM field and who want to make the subjects accessible to more students.