Noyce Scholar Profile
Maria Figueroa
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, High School
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
CSU Stanislaus
Current academic or teaching status:
Fifth year
School and school district:
Ceres High School
Background:
I just graduated with my B.A. in Mathematics and this is my first semester in the Credential Program. I really enjoy helping others. I would like to work with students that are struggling in school/home because I feel that these are the students that need us the most. I hope I will become an amazing teacher. I look forward to finishing my Credential Program so that I can have my own classroom.
Why do you want to teach:
I would like to teach because it has always been my dream. I want to teach because I would like to make a difference in this world. There are many students that need support outside of home. When I was growing up, I needed some one to reach out to me. I remember my fifth grade teacher was always there when I needed her. She made a great impact in my life. I would like to do the same for my students. If I could reach out and make a difference for at least one of my students I know that all the hard work I have to do will be worth it.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
A memorable teaching experience for me was this summer. Myself and three other fellow scholars were teaching this summer. We had to create a pretest and a post-test to see the improvement that the students had made. We taught several different lessons that were focused on hands-on learning experiences. We were all stressed out at the end of the summer. However, when we were grading the post-test and we saw the results, all the hard work that we put into it was worth it. We were all excited because we knew that we could do this. Every student had improved based on what we had taught them. All the stress suddenly did not matter anymore. The important thing was that we had made a difference.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has made a great impact in my life. I have gained so much from this program and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of it. It is not just about the money. We gain so much from this program as a whole. I have had a lot of opportunities to attend professional development activities. I know that not that many people get to experience what we do as Noyce scholars. There are times when certain things come up sometimes that my fellow classmates have not heard of and I get to say, “Oh yes, I learned about this in a conference that I attended.” The Noyce program has prepared me well for the field.
