Noyce Scholar Profile
Lissa Hilbert
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mid-Level 4th-8th Math/Science
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Texas at Arlington
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
Gunn Junior High School - AISD, Short Elementary - AISD, and Grand Prairie ISD (substitute)
Background:
I was raised and am a current resident of Grand Prairie, Texas. I have a wonderful husband, Steve, and we have two beautiful children, a girl and a boy. In 2011, I graduated in the top 10% of my class from Mountain View College with an Associate’s of Arts degree. Currently, I am a Junior in the Mid-Level Math/Science Education program at the University of Texas at Arlington. As well as being a full time student, I am a stay at home mom. I volunteer most of my free time by being the PTA Treasurer at a local GPISD elementary school, Cheer Squad Head Coach, and Assistant Girl Scout Leader. In the program this year, I have had a blast getting to know my fellow Juniors and Seniors, and have just been selected to be CMLA Treasurer for 2013-2014. I find this to be a great opportunity for me to not only become active in an on-campus organization, but to also explore the many networking opportunities that are offered. While not volunteering, I enjoy pursuing activities that interest me like paleontology and acrylic painting.
Why do you want to teach:
I have had several amazing teachers while I was a student in the GPISD school district. Not only did these teachers push me to excel, they also instilled in me how important getting a good education is. I want to teach to help cultivate the ideas, actions, and awareness that students need to achieve greatness.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I have been a substitute teacher for GPISD for a couple of years, and during my first year as a substitute I had the opportunity of teaching a 5th grade science class. I was helping students to understand the names of the different phases of the moon, and had come up with some silly acronyms for them. Everyone had a fun time learning, and were glad that they did not have a regular work assignment. Fast forward a couple of years, I am shopping in a local grocery store and one of those 5th graders approaches me to say ‘Hello’. During our brief conversation, he brings up that they are learning the phases of the moon in one of his classes and he was the only one in his class to get a 100. He went on to thank me, and hoped that I could be his substitute in one of his junior high classes. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized that I had the ability to do and to accomplish what I have always wanted to do – TEACH!
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Program has been a life changing opportunity for me. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to pursue my academic and career goals. The learning seminars and meetings are very informative and I can see that I will be able to use this information in my teaching career. I am very thankful and honored that I was chosen to receive and to become a part of the Noyce Scholarship Program.
