Noyce Scholar Profile
Kayla Fawbush
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics, Science, Mathematics Education (Secondary Certification)
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 8-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Western Kentucky University
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
South Warren High School (student teaching), Warren County (student teaching, field experiences)
Background:
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky with my parents and two older brothers. I am a graduate of Anderson County High School where I was a member of many clubs and extra curricular activities. One of the most important being dance, since I have been dancing at an academy since I was three. I had always wanted to be a teacher, but it was my AP Calculus teacher who made me realize that I should be a math teacher. After arriving at Western Kentucky University (WKU), I had became very involved with campus activities and began working at a church as the student ministries intern. I am finishing my undergraduate education at WKU in three years. Other than school and work, I enjoy all WKU athletics, spending time with those I love, and being crafty.
Why do you want to teach:
I desire to teach because I want to have a positive influence on every student who enters my classroom. Also, I hope that students would view education and specifically math as intriguing, fun, and something they love.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my sophomore year, my teaching partner and I were placed in a classroom that consisted of twenty-three students, thirteen of which were ESL students, and only three were girls. Every student in the class should have already graduated. Needless to say we were overwhelmed, and after observing the class, we didn’t think that those students would ever care or learn from the two of us. We entered the classroom with an engaging inquiry-based lesson and showed those students that we really cared about them and wanted them to succeed. Consequently, that has been my favorite class to teach so far, and every student in the class passed our unit exam. I had never seen the positive effects that truly caring about students and challenging them academically can have on their performance and desire to learn. I would never doubt or not practice such an essential tool for student success.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce has been one of the best opportunities I have had the privilege of experiencing. The program not only provides and helps support each scholar financially, but also provides each participant the opportunity to engage, learn, and grow from professional development as well as have access to a core group of teachers and fellow students as a support system and learning community. The opportunities I have been given through the Noyce program have influenced and shaped me into a more knowledgeable and effective teacher.
