Noyce Scholar Profile
Lee Gould
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Drexel University
Current academic or teaching status:
Student teaching
School and school district:
Parkway Center City, Philadelphia School District
Background:
Before, during and after college I worked for a residential summer camp, working my way up from Kitchen Aid to Assistant Director. I later went on to work for the PA Department of Environmental Protection. While I enjoyed my work there, I felt something was missing. It took me 4 years, but eventually I realized that I missed working with kids. I’m excited about moving into a classroom full time and sharing my experience and love of biology with students.
Why do you want to teach:
I decided to teach so that I could teach students about the need to protect our environment and share my love of nature with them. I also want to use science to help students think critically and creatively, skills that will be important for them to have in all aspects of their lives.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I have really enjoyed my student teaching, but watching one of my wallflower students really light up and become actively engaged during a hands-on exploratory lab was one of the highlights. Prior to this lab, I had not seen her smile or become excited about anything, but during this lab she really got into investigating the different organisms and showed her true science aptitude. Working to continue to bring out this latent talent of hers has been very rewarding over the last couple of months.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program helps keep me focused on teaching in a high need school district. Currently, our district is facing a huge budget deficit, and I am unsure if I will be able to secure a position in Philadelphia. The Noyce program has provided me with job leads and the motivation to look in other areas with high needs students.
