Noyce Scholar Profile
Cacie King
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Science Education-Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Science, grades 6-8
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Missouri-Columbia
Current academic or teaching status:
First Year Teacher
School and school district:
Excelsior Springs Middle School
Background:
I am from a very small town in Southeast Missouri. I went to college several hours away from my hometown where I majored in Biology. I enjoyed the content and soon discovered an interest in teaching, so I continued my education and earned my Master’s degree in Education. I begin my first teaching job in August (2011), and I absolutely cannot wait to begin!
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I have a profound interest in my content area and a desire to work with students to help them develop a deeper understanding and interest in the subject I enjoy so very much.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my student teaching experience, I entered a high school biology classroom where many of my students were failing. I took several opportunities to speak individually with each one about their grade and what we could do to change their situation in the classroom. One student in particular completely turned around in the semester I was there, and after class one day, I told him how proud I was of him and that I recognized all the hard work he had put in to improve his grade. He smiled and told me that having a teacher who cared and made an effort is what made the difference. Even though I certainly could not take credit for what he had achieved, I was deeply touched by what he said because I feel that I put everything into being a teacher because I care about the students and how they are doing inside (and outside) of my classroom.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Being a Noyce Scholar has meant so very much to me. I have been responsible for funding all of my education, which can be very difficult, and receiving the Noyce Scholarship was an unbelievable blessing during my graduate education. I am able to leave school in a better financial position because of the generous aid that was granted. For that, I am exceptionally grateful. The Noyce program also gave me the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Conference. It was a wonderful experience where I attended workshops about inquiry teaching, the first year(s) as a teacher, and high needs schools/students. I also listened to Robert Noyce’s daughter speak about him and all that he accomplished during his lifetime. I was very encouraged by what she had to say because I did not know much about who Robert Noyce was. Being a Noyce Scholar has been an invaluable blessing and means a great deal to me.
