Noyce Scholar Profile
Tina Littlejohn
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Secondary Education/Science
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, grades 9-12; Science, grades 4-8
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of North Texas
Current academic or teaching status:
2nd year teacher (2011-2012)
School and school district:
Frisco High School for Internship and current employment
Background:
Teaching is a second career for me. I was previously in graphic design for about 10 years and before that I worked in administrative positions. I began taking college classes because I wanted a career in a helping profession where I could be more involved with people.
Why do you want to teach:
I enjoy helping students discover what they are capable of doing.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
My first teaching experience was in college when I took an experiential learning facilitator course (low ropes). I had to facilitate the program for 12 middle school girls once a week for a good part of the semester. I was scared to death at first, but it went really well. That was the first time I thought that maybe I could like and be good at teaching.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
I have been a single parent for 11 years. My decision to get a degree was a big one, and very difficult since I had no money and no family to help. I worked part-time while taking classes, but couldn’t do that during my student internship. The scholarship allowed me to financially make it through the student teaching requirement. I’m glad I could do the student teaching rather than be alternatively certified because I’m better prepared to do well in my profession right from the start.
