Noyce Scholar Profile
Savannah Kiser
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics and Physics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Wittenberg University
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
Springfield, OH
Background:
I am from Warren, PA which is where I will return upon finishing my undergraduate degrees. I have a very big family (there are 8 siblings, 6 of us still in the Warren area) and have always enjoyed helping others. I love to go hiking and fishing, and I also enjoy listening to country music.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I love helping others, and it is an extremely rewarding experience. The challenge of finding new ways to help children learn is exciting for me, and I almost always find myself learning something in return.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I had a student in one of my algebra classes during my student teaching who failed the 3rd grading period. I bugged him constantly about his assignments and let him work out problems on the board as much as he wanted in order to keep him engaged in the lesson. This student ended the 4th grading period with an A, but he was more grateful for the phone call that I made to his mother to let her know how well he was doing in my class. He was very happy that his mother was proud of him, and I learned firsthand how important the parent-child relationship is to being successful in school.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
For me, the Noyce program means turning learning into more of a hands-on/inquiry-based process and having fun doing it. The Noyce program made it possible for me to put myself through school and learn how to be the best teacher that I can possibly be. Lastly, the Noyce program means that I will always be able to find the support and help I need as a new teacher who is trying to make a difference.
