Noyce Scholar Profile

Justin Huang
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Sociology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Chicago
Current academic or teaching status:
First Year
School and school district:
ACE Technical Charter High School
Background:
As an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, I was interested in studying both mathematics and sociology. I found myself engaged with both in teaching math and have been passionate about it since.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I enjoy the mathematical and intellectual challenge in designing and preparing educational opportunities for students to build their own knowledge and understanding. I want to teach because I have a desire to help others and feel that I can make the biggest impact in teaching math. I want to teach because I enjoy working with young adults and seeing them mature.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
A student confided in me once that he thought that all of the other teachers in the school thought that he was dumb. He trusted me because he knew that I believed in his abilities. This stands out in my mind because it serves as a reminder that students truly desire to learn: all they require from teachers are learning experiences to learn and the belief that they can learn.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means being recognized for the importance of the work I set out to do and being a member of a group of like-minded individuals who strive to do equally important work.