Noyce Scholar Profile
Desa Lavrusky
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Boston University
Current academic or teaching status:
1st year graduate student
School and school district:
Practicum at Framingham High School
Background:
I earned my undergraduate degree in math actuarial science at Penn State. While there, I was very interested in teaching and spent my summers working at a science education camp in Pittsburgh. After graduation, I joined corporate America and worked for 3 years at a large insurance company. My teaching instinct came back in full force when I was asked to teach a professional development class for my peers and six months later I was enrolled at Boston University.
Why do you want to teach:
I am so excited to share my love for mathematics with my students. I have worked in the insurance field where strength in math can get you major recognition and success. I hope to build that strength in my students.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
After teaching my professional development course, a peer approached me to thank me for the class. They said they had struggled with the material and my class finally brought the understanding they were looking for. I felt more pride in that moment than I had ever felt in my career.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce has made this transitional point in my life so much easier. Even though I was relieved to have discovered my passion for teaching, I couldn’t help but be concerned over the financial obligation of going back to school. The Noyce program has eliminated my concerns and allowed me to focus on what’s important: the education I am receiving at Boston University, and how I will utilize it to be the best teacher I can be for my future students.
