Noyce Scholar Profile
Lisa Gillespie
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Middle Childhood Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Math and Social Studies, grades 4-9
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
SEOCEMS Noyce Scholars Program at the University of Rio Grande
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
Student Teaching at Wellston Middle School, Wellston City School District
Background:
I am from Jackson, Ohio. I am a senior level education major at the University of Rio Grande. I am excited that I will be graduating on May 7, 2011. Part of my inspiration to pursue education came from a math teacher who I had in high school.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I like working with kids, primarily those in the middle grades. Math was always a subject that I loved in school. I know that there are many students who tend to struggle with math. I want to both share my excitement for math and offer students the help that they need to succeed.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
Throughout all of my field experiences and student teaching, I have spent time in many different social studies and math classrooms. The most memorable teaching experience that I have had so far has been during my student teaching. In preparing my students for their upcoming state assessments, some students were having difficulty with one particular math topic. Several students asked if they could get extra help. During my planning period one day, these students came and received extra help in the area in which they were struggling. I was excited about the fact that the students took the initiative to ask for extra help, and they succeeded in mastering the skill where they were struggling.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has also given me the opportunity to meet other people who have the same interest in mathematics that I have. The program has given me the chance to exchange ideas with other people and build a support group. The Noyce program has also been very helpful in providing financial support for my education. Through online course discussions, this program is helping me continue to grow as a teacher candidate.
