Noyce Scholar Profile

Tahira Hyman
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: MAT Secondary Mathematics Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Georgia State University/Urban Mathematics Education Program
Current academic or teaching status:
First year
School and school district:
Young Middle School, Atlanta Public Schools
Background:
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2003. Before becoming a teacher, I worked for my family’s business, assisting low income families with public housing. In November of 2007, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia. After living in Atlanta for a little over a year, I decided I wanted to use my mathematical skill and ability to help educate young, minority students. It was then that I became a graduate student at Georgia State University, pursuing a degree in Mathematics Education. After graduation I was hired by the Atlanta Public Schools as an eighth grade mathematics teacher. Every day, I share my love of math with brilliant, eager, young people, hoping that they too will soon become lovers of Mathematics.
Why do you want to teach:
Teaching is the one way we can touch the lives of so many people. It’s a noble and rewarding profession–plus Math Rocks!
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my student teaching, I had my students create rap songs that described mathematical concepts. The students had so much fun and wanted to keep creating projects like that one. I never knew teenagers could love math so much.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Program has brought me great teaching advice, wonderful teaching ideas and lifelong friends.