Noyce Scholar Profile
Zainab Fadlu-Deen
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Science, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
N/A
Background:
I was born in Washington D.C., raised in Alexandria, Virginia but I currently reside in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. My parents were born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I am the oldest of three and the first to attend a university. When I was younger I wanted to become a Pediatrician, however at Virginia Communwealth I realized that my true calling was to become a teacher. I love to help people, and I know that I will be making a difference in the field of education.
Why do you want to teach:
I don’t want any child who crosses my path to leave without actually learning something. I want every child to take away something that I’ve taught in the classroom. I would love to be a part of making that light bulb go off in a child’s head. I just want to make a positive and effective difference in the education system.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I was working with two kindergartners who were given sight words to learn within three months. After working with them on the first day, I realized that they did not know how to sound out words. The next day I taught them how to sound out consonants and vowels before teaching them their sight words. This will always stand out in my mind because I was taken aback by the method the teachers were trying to use to teach these kids to read. I don’t agree with teaching kids to memorize words on sight, it is better to teach them how to sound out consonants and vowels so that they can do this with unfamiliar words that they may stumble across.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program is amazing! It has a special place in my heart because it’s increased my passion for becoming a science teacher. It feels good to interact and work along side people who are either where you want to be one day or are working towards it just like you. Everyone’s warm and welcoming so I feel at home when I’m around my Noyce Family; we all share the same goals. I find myself excited and looking forward to all that the program has to offer. Aside from myself, the Noyce program means a great deal to my family as well. This scholarship has taken a huge burden off of my parents as far as paying for my tuition, housing, and books. Being a part of the Noyce program is truly a blessing.
