Noyce Scholar Profile
Gillian Luellen
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Environmental Studies
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 Kansas
Current academic or teaching status:
Master's Student
School and school district:
Lawrence, KS
Background:
I am from Topeka, KS and attended the University of Kansas (KU) for my undergraduate degree. After I graduated from KU in 2005, I moved to Japan and taught English at both the high school and junior high school level. I came back to the States to obtain a degree in education and begin teaching a subject I am passionate about, science!
Why do you want to teach:
Being a teacher means you are constantly learning and that’s a quality I need in a job to stay interested. Furthermore, I had some lovely and inspirational teachers as a student who really inspired me to be the person I am today. I hope to inspire someone to work hard and make good decisions as well.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I remember the first time I felt an earthquake in Japan. I was standing in front of the class when the entire building started to shake. I had no idea what to do! I asked my students when or if we needed to take cover, and after about 30 seconds, the class let out their breath and told me that one was small, but any bigger and we needed to get under our desks. I’m always learning as a teacher!
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means I now have the opportunity to go back to school and become a great teacher. Because of this scholarship I know I will be able to inspire many students in years to come.
