Noyce Scholar Profile
Andrew Nemeth
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology, Concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Life Science, grade 7
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
California State University Dominguez HIlls
Current academic or teaching status:
First semester of Single Subject Credential Program
School and school district:
Los Angeles Unified School District
Background:
I have lived in Los Angeles since birth. Teaching and helping others has always been an intrinsic part of my life; this included explaining concepts to fellow students during my own education, tutoring children at my first job, and volunteering my time at a nursing home where my grandmother was a resident. I enrolled at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in 2009. I eventually graduated from CSUDH, and am currently taking Credentialing classes there. It was also at CSUDH that I learned of the Noyce Scholars Program, late in my junior year. I was quite intrigued by what the program had to offer and quickly to applied. Fortunately I was admitted, and I have been steadily progressing down my path towards teaching ever since.
Why do you want to teach:
I hope to expand and advance my interest in helping others through a teaching position as a middle school teacher. I look forward to the challenge of an environment that is constantly changing and a classroom of new students every semester. An urban school contains the unique environment that allows me to truly make a difference while challenging my guidance and teaching skills. A school also presents the opportunity for me to combine helping others with the joy I find in interacting with children.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I was spending time at a middle school observing a 7th grade teacher. I had been at the school for about 2 weeks and 4th period was soon starting. The class’s regular teacher had an obligation from 4th period on, so a substitute was assigned to the class. I was scheduled to leave, but stuck around to help the substitute get acclimated with the lesson plan for the last periods of the day. As I was saying goodbye, a number of the students vocally protested my exit, in a good way. “Don’t leave Mr. Nemeth, we like you. You’re a good teacher.” This was the first time any of the students had expressed any admiration towards me. It was quite touching. I believe I am a compassionate person who shows my interest in the students’ success through my interaction with them. Their affirmation of my interest that afternoon was definitely a memorable experience. Suffice to say, I could not leave after that and ended up leading the class, with the substitute’s support, for the rest of the day.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Program has proved to be an incredible asset. Through the program’s support and direction, I have had many meaningful experiences. One of the more significant experiences were the many hours spent as a Teacher’s Assistant, a requirement of the Program. This time in the classroom was incredibly helpful and proved to be a great learning opportunity. The Program has also amassed a wonderful staff at CSUDH that has been nothing short of incredible. Their attentiveness and help allowed me to focus fully on my studies and student teaching experiences. If it had not been for the Noyce Scholars Program, I would neither be qualified nor close to my goal of teaching.
