Noyce Scholar Profile
Jacob Giffen
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: 7th and 8th grade Algebra
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
California State University, Stanislaus
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior/Credential
School and school district:
Turlock Junior High
Background:
I have lived in the central valley in California my entire life. I am 25 years old and finishing up my last Mathematics class at CSU Stanislaus and concurrently enrolled in the single subject credential program. I have been married to my beautiful wife for just over 3 years and we proudly welcomed our first child into the world in July. We could not be more blessed.
Why do you want to teach:
I love this question! I want to teach because I truly believe that teachers have the power to change lives. I want to be a positive influence for today’s students and I want to serve them and my community as a teacher.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I have been fortunate enough to be involved with a math tutoring program on campus that assists students in 6th through 12th grade. I specifically remember an experience when a student was having difficulty with the “whatever you do to one side of the equation, you do to the other side” concept. We worked on it extensively and I remember the day that it just “clicked” for him. It was a proud moment.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has been very influential in my career path. The financial blessing alone is amazing, but the professional development opportunities have been priceless. I feel so ahead of the curve thanks to Noyce and I definitely appreciate the educational community that I have been exposed to thanks to the program.
