Noyce Scholar Profile

Kelcey Cook
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics, Education Minor
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 7-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Wittenberg University
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior in Undergraduate Studies
School and school district:
Springfield (Clark County), OH
Background:
I am from Maineville, OH. I grew up with my dad, mom, and younger brother Kennedy who is a sophomore at Wittenberg. I attended Kings Local Schools all throughout grade school. I am also a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, work for the Wittenberg Tigers Football Team, am a tutor in The Math Workshop, and am Vice President of Witt Math.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I want to give back to the community in a way that I know can make a difference. In high school, I had impeccable math teachers who really made a difference in my life. Not only could I go to them for math, but also they were people who I knew I could always talk to. I want to make students believe in themselves and realize that they can do incredible things with their lives if they just put their minds to it.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
As a tutor, it is a great feeling when your student finally gets it and sees that they just figured out a problem that they came to you thinking was the hardest thing in the world. It makes them feel like they can do anything.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program is an incredible opportunity for me. It is great to see that the STEM subjects, especially mathematics is being focused on in schools. I believe that math is so important for our everyday lives, and it is so important for students to believe that they are strong in that subject. As a student pursuing a teaching degree in a STEM field, I am so grateful for a program that pushes me to do my absolute best, broadens my views on education, and gives me a great support system.