Noyce Scholar Profile
Georgene (Gigi) Douglas
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Elementary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 7-9
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Auburn University
Current academic or teaching status:
27 years
School and school district:
Millbrook Middle School, Elmore County, AL
Background:
I received my BA in Elementary Education in 1984 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I taught for two years in Delano, CA before returning to Huntsville in 1986. I taught for a year in a private school, before accepting a position with the Decatur City School system where I taught from 1987-1989. I moved to Montgomery, AL in 1989 and began teaching in the Elmore County Schools where I have just completed my 22nd year. I have taught special education, 1st grade, and 5th – 8th grades. In 1995, I completed my MS in Elementary Education at Trou State University in Montgomery, AL.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I want to have a direct, positive influence in our country. I want to help students become responsible and equipped to find true meaning and joy in their lives.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I have had many memorable teaching experiences over my teaching career, but this year I was touched by the words of a parent. Over the last four years, I have had two of her children in my classes. Both of these students dealt with some behavior issues, but when you took the time to truly know them, they both had many positive qualities which I sought to build upon in order to help them develop a love of learning (especially in the area of mathematics). The last week of school, the mother texted me to tell me how glad she was that her children had both been in my class. She thanked me for everything that I had done with/for them. My immediate response to her, without thinking, was how much I enjoyed teaching HER children!
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has given me the opportunity to further my education and to gain the leadership skills that I will need to take on a position of leadership in the ever changing education of our young people.
