Noyce Scholar Profile
Amanda Cook
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Chemistry, Science and Math Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Western Kentucky University
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
N/A
Background:
I grew up in a rural town in Kentucky called Owenton and was the first one from my family to go to college. I have been blessed with wonderful family, friends and mentors who have guided and helped me to where I am today!
As far as campus involvement is concerned: I started a student organization at Western Kentucky University for future math and science teachers, I work with habitat for Humanity on campus, I attend my church bible studies every week, and I enjoy spending time with my newlywed (January 2012) husband!
Why do you want to teach:
I have always wanted to be a teacher. I enjoyed peer tutoring my friends in middle and high school and saw how rewarding teaching can be when I helped coach junior Winter Guard in high school. I want to make a difference in a student’s life and help foster a passion for learning.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
My sophomore year, I was interning at an elementary school doing after school, hands-on science lessons once a month. There was a boy who didn’t want to do the activity. He talked to peers, got up and sharpened his pencil, etc. to avoid doing the activity. Finally he asked me if he could go to the bathroom, and I replied, “No, because you don’t really have to go. You just want to wander the hall instead of doing this activity.” He looked at me in amazement and said, “What are you, a mind-reader!?” It was reassuring to me that I would succeed at being a teacher, and it made my day.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Program has opened many doors for me to go to conferences, meet other pre-service science teachers, be financially stable, provide professional development, and help me find a job after school. It has helped me to achieve my goals in life and hopefully to make a difference in a child’s life.
