Noyce Scholar Profile
Catherine Eckert
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Chemistry
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Texas Dallas UTeach Program
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
YMCA Dallas-Achievers Program
Background:
I quickly discovered my love for teaching others when I got to college, but chemistry was still my first priority. My sophomore year I discovered the UTeach program that focused on learning to teach science and math while you got your science/math degree, which was perfect! Now after three years in the program and inches away from having both my high school certification and Chemistry BS, I have no regrets. The support and opportunities offered have been life-changing and I can’t wait for more to come.
Why do you want to teach:
My fondest, and most enduring, memories from school all revolve around science classrooms. From making circuits in 5th grade, to modeling cells in 7th, to analyzing unknown chemicals in 10th; science classrooms and laboratories have always given deeper meaning to the world around me. Teaching is my way of sharing that precious information, and showing the next generation of students how fun and applicable science can be in their lives.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
This summer I have been teaching science in a summer-bridge program at the Dallas YMCA branches. The students go to a series of lessons and activities every day escorted by a counselor. At first, everybody seemed to resent the classes because it infringed on their gym/pool/game time. Then as they realized my classroom was a place for fun experiments and answers to any and all questions they had about the world, they were hooked. Not a day goes by now without somebody coming in early to see what we’re doing, or coming back in during free gym or lunch time to keep doing science. No matter how busy I am preparing for my next classes, I can’t turn them down because it makes me feel like I’m doing my job RIGHT.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has enabled me to keep my freedom. I needed assistance in paying my tuition as a junior and senior and had the choice of working part time as a full-time student, taking out loans, or taking time off school to work and support myself. None of those fit into my life plan very well, especially the idea of having a mountain of debt hanging over me. The Noyce program helped me fill in the gaps without creating a 10+ year obligation like loans would.
