Noyce Scholar Profile
Lydia Jorgensen
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Math
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Michigan Technological University
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
N/A
Background:
I started my undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) where I was first given the opportunity to practice my skills in the classroom through their education department. I then transferred to Michigan Tech (MTU) to finish my degree where I have worked one-on-one tutoring students at the local high school. I have also been working as a Residence Counselor for Tech’s Summer Youth Programs where I get to interact with middle school and high school students everyday.
Why do you want to teach:
My high school teachers inspired me to teach. They were incredibly encouraging as I made decisions about my future, and I want to do the same. I not only want to teach the students, but I want to help and encourage them with decisions they will have to make at some point in time.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
When I was at UNI, I was given the opportunity to work with Mrs. Granberg, one of the math teachers at Dike/New Hartford High School. Mrs. Granberg was a UNI alum and had not been given the best experience the first time in the classroom so she wanted me to experience it all. She allowed me to teach a few algebra lessons, grade papers, and interact with the students as much as she did. The experience she gave me was exactly what I needed to reassure myself that I really did want to teach.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce is a wonderful opportunity for my teaching experience. Though I have not been in a classroom since I was excepted into the Noyce program, I look forward to that experience. Noyce has also helped me to not worry about paying for my education which has been a blessing to both me and my parents.
