Noyce Scholar Profile

Kathleen Lowe
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Undergraduate Biology Major, MAT
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Louisville
Current academic or teaching status:
First semester MAT
School and school district:
Internship completed at Atherton High School during Undergraduate study; observations with JCPS in progress for MAT.
Background:
I have always loved to learn about everything, so I started my undergraduate studies without a clear goal for my degree. It wasn’t until late in my sophomore year that I decided to study Biology. From that point, I slowly realized, through tutoring and from family and friend’s suggestions, that I should become a teacher.
Why do you want to teach:
I have a deep passion for encouraging others to better themselves through education, and I believe students need positive reinforcement.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I experienced many memorable moments during my internship at Atherton High School. I enjoyed watching the “ah ha” moment when the teacher showed the students water turnover in a mixing tank, and I also experienced the gratification of hearing the students’ applause for one of my lesson plans.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program encourages me to teach to my potential. The financial aid gives me the opportunity to approach the MAT program from a traditional stand-point where I will learn much more before I’m given the responsibility of an entire classroom full-time. Even more important to me are the mentors that the Noyce program provides. I feel that today’s teaching environment is very difficult and often times discouraging. Noyce mentors provide positive encouragement, and the network of Noyce scholars symbolizes our joint effort to teach America at a high standard.