Noyce Scholar Profile
Zachary Daubert
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Physics, Secondary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Science, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Northern Colorado
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior (4th year)
School and school district:
University of Northern Colorado
Background:
I grew up South of Denver in the Highlands Ranch area. I attended Cherry Creek High School where I took some of my first teaching classes and inevitably caught the teaching bug. After graduating in 2010 I left Denver to attend the University of Northern Colorado to pursue my dream of becoming a science teacher. After a quick major change from Chemistry to Physics I found my niche here at UNC and am excited for my final year of schooling before I start my career as an educator.
Why do you want to teach:
In high school I had two science teachers that I will always give credit for pushing me to become a teacher. The way that they presented science to me always inspired me to be curious and to investigate the mysteries of the universe. I felt like the world was mine to discover and not only did they make me fall in love with science but I also with teaching. From then on out it has been my goal to create that sense of awe and wonder in another’s eyes through science.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
In my senior year of high school we were assigned the task of creating a boat capable of holding two people. The only caveat being that the boat must be made out of cardboard. Not only did this teacher tease our creativity but we learned the laws of buoyancy and other physics at the same time. Competing with my classmates in the school pool and sitting in my sinking cardboard boat was one of the most memorable moments of my high school career and will live on to influence my future as a teacher.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means everything to me. It is such an honor to be affiliated with such a prestigious organization that has so much influence in education. The Noyce program has provided me with the support and resources that I need to finish my college undergraduate degree. I has also provided me with the confidence and determination I needed to enter my career as a teacher so I will be the best teacher that I can be to any student.
