Noyce Scholar Profile
Amber Fryar
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Science, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Northern Colorado
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
n/a
Background:
I am a Colorado native, growing up in Loveland. In 2006 I graduated from high school and moved to Idaho for college. My first semester I met my future husband, Justin. He and I were married in 2007 and moved to Greeley, Colorado where we currently live. We have three handsome little boys–Liam (age 5), Declan (age 3) and Carson (1 month) and love being outside, renovating houses and traveling.
Why do you want to teach:
I grew up surrounded by educators. My grandfather and great grandfather were both very involved in the education system. My mother has taught my whole life as well. I have seen the long lasting effects my mother and grandparents have had on their students and vise versa. I now have three siblings who are in their first years of teaching and have enjoyed hearing about their struggles and helping in their classrooms. I am excited to have my own classroom soon where I can open my students’ eyes to the excitement of science and hopefully be able to be that one special teacher who changes a student’s life for the better.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
One of my most memorable experiences as a student happened in my junior year of high school in a world history and geography class. We were having a class debate and discussion about different social problems throughout the world. I remember being appalled at how ethnocentric and ignorant some of my classmates were about some of our debate topics. This moment stands out to me because I want my students to understand new ways of thinking, ideas and issues that arise in science. I want to teach my students that there is more than one possibility and more than one way of coming to conclusions and in many cases there are many conclusions. I want my students to discover and experience science not just be told about it.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
As a young mother and wife, this scholarship has meant everything to me and my family. The Noyce program has given me the opportunity to not just someday finish my teaching and biology degree but to finish quickly and efficiently. It has given me the tools and encouragement I needed to be able to reach my career goals without excessive hardship on my young family. I will be forever grateful and honored to be called a Noyce Scholar.
