Noyce Scholar Profile
Brittany Morton
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Junior High/High School
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Stephen F Austin State University/Talented Teachers in Training for Texas (T4)
Current academic or teaching status:
Undergrad Senior
School and school district:
Nacogdoches/Lufkin ISD
Background:
I graduated from a very very small school in East Texas, where I was given several opportunities to tutor my peers. I fell in love with teaching even further in college when I tutored students ranging from 3rd grade to college-aged. Bottom line: With two educators as parents, I thought teaching was the last thing I wanted to do, but I found my passion in teaching and impacting the lives of students. Now, I’m hooked.
Why do you want to teach:
It is my passion and calling to influence the lives of others through teaching. I want to inspire students to love learning and push themselves to pursue their dreams, whatever it takes, whatever they may be.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
Last semester, I worked with ELL students at a local high school. On my last day, one of the girls was talking to me as usual. She wanted to know about college and my family and my life. She then asked me what I was going to do when I graduated. When I said I was going to teach math, she lit up. With that, I asked, “Do you think I can handle that?” She replied, “Oh,yes! You teach us really good.” I recently saw her at a store with her family and after greeting her I heard her tell them that I was one of her teachers. Both of those experiences made my days and touched my heart. Those small comments confirmed that what I do matters.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The networking and relationships that have formed as a result of the people that we work with have been the most valuable part of being part of the T4 Program at SFA. It’s just amazing to know that we’re not alone and that we have a whole group of friends and colleagues behind us. I have also had countless opportunities to work with students and encourage others in their pursuit of their passions and future careers.
