Noyce Scholar Profile
Angela Holbrook
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biological Sciences with a concentration in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry, grade 11
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
San Diego State University
Current academic or teaching status:
2 years of teaching
School and school district:
Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego Unified School District
Background:
I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah where all of my family has lived for generations. I left Utah to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo after high school graduation. My next stop in California was UC Davis for graduate school, which led me to San Francisco to continue to work with youth. Finally, I ended up in San Diego to find the sun and my teaching credential.
Why do you want to teach:
My love for teaching and education began in elementary school where I had amazing teachers who believed in me. My love for science began in middle school because of another amazing teacher and opportunities in Girl Scouts. My love of education led me to feel most satisfied when I helped someone learn something new or solve a problem. Working with youth in different cities cemented my need to be a teacher so that I could help students feel curious about the world around them. Teaching allows me to help students gain understanding of and joy in science. I want students to leave my class with excitement to ask questions and the skills to thinking analytically about these questions.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
A memorable teaching experience happened at the end of a school year when students came running into my classroom to tell me that they learned chemistry. I was overjoyed to see the students excited about their knowledge, and it warmed my heart to see the students recognize their growth. I feel that my students do not often recognize how much they have learned; therefore, this moment of self-confidence made me happy to be a teacher.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Program gives me opportunities to collaborate and learn from other teachers at many school sites. The knowledge I can gain from other teachers is invaluable. The program allows me to be at the forefront of science education and policy.
