Noyce Scholar Profile
Amy Johnson
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Masters in Teaching
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Secondary Science
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Clemson University/Tigers Teach
Current academic or teaching status:
Entry level teacher
School and school district:
Greenville High School, Greenville County School District
Background:
I grew up outdoors, exploring under rocks, playing in streams, and generally learning all that I could first hand from Mother Nature. I continued learning in this manner when I attended Clemson University and graduated in 2009 with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. I’ve always known I wanted to have a career that was science-related; it was just a matter of finding the right fit.
Why do you want to teach:
After graduating college I was set on becoming an environment scientist. Unfortunately the economy had other plans, and no such jobs could be found. I took the first position I was offered as an Outdoor Educator at a camp. School groups came to our camp for two nights to get out of their bubbles at school, explore, get dirty, and experience hands on learning. This position surprised me in that I loved teaching the students and interacting with them. It was the first time I considered teaching as a career.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
At camp most of the students were not outside often and clearly were uncomfortable in the setting. I loved seeing them transform from being scared and out of their comfort zones, to embracing and appreciating nature by the time they left. I felt like I helped them explore a world that they didn’t know existed, and it was a great feeling.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means I can breathe a sigh of relief! It affords me financial freedom while completing my Master’s program and allows me to focus my efforts on succeeding in my classes. It also means I will gain valuable experiences through immersion activities and seminars, and have a wonderful support system of other Noyce scholars as I move on from this program.
