Noyce Scholar Profile
Ernie Osburn
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: BS, Ecology; BS, Biology; MAT, Science Education (in progress)
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, Environmental Science, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Georgia
Current academic or teaching status:
First year MAT student
School and school district:
Madison County High School, Madison County School district
Background:
I am from Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta, and the oldest of 5 children. I attended Marietta High School and then enrolled in the University of Georgia (UGA), mostly because I had no idea what I wanted to do, and UGA offers pretty much anything you can imagine. I quickly found a home in the Odum School of Ecology, which is a nice small community within a very large university. After receiving my Biology and Ecology degrees, I decided that teaching would be an outstanding and fulfilling way to use my knowledge.
Why do you want to teach:
I got hooked on teaching while doing outreach events with the University of Georgia Herpetological Society. Also, I have always enjoyed discussing and debating a wide range of science topics. Teaching has been a very natural transition from those interests.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
One of the first experiences I had teaching was doing a reptile and amphibian show-and-tell with pre-K students on the UGA campus. Many of the young children at the event had never seen anything like the animals I brought, and the mixture of fear, wonder, and interest I saw in those children that day got me hooked on teaching.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce Program has allowed me to pursue a graduate degree in a very tough economic climate where little other opportunity for funding exists. I am truly grateful for the opportunity the Noyce program has provided for me.
