Noyce Scholar Profile
Brianna Pinquoch
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S., Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Current academic or teaching status:
First-year graduate student
School and school district:
Student Teaching (Fall 2011) with Brent Larsen, a Noyce Master Teaching Fellow at Central School
Background:
I grew up in Murray, NE and graduated from University of Nebraska Lincoln with a bachelor of science degree in May 2011. I majored in mathematics.
Why do you want to teach:
I love mathematics and am excited to get young people interested in it too. I’m looking forward to making an impact in my students’ lives.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
One reason I hope to teach mathematics in a high-need middle or high school is because of my favorite role model–my high school history teacher. His name is Mr. Wills. Between his lesson plans, he taught many unforgettable lifelong lessons. Mr. Wills got all of the students, including me, excited about American History. I did not enjoy the subject prior to him. He had a way of transferring his enthusiasm to everyone around him. I decided to be a teacher because I love mathematics; therefore, I know I will love my career. I know I will succeed in teaching because I learned from the best. I now know that anyone can excel in school when they have the right attitude.
My teacher was also a mentor—the best mentor. So many kids dream of doing a job that requires helping people. I myself have done the same, and teaching in a high needs school district would be the perfect chance to make a difference in children’s lives. Mr. Wills taught me by example how to make a difference. He did not stop once the bell rang. When students needed someone to talk to he was there. He learned through coaching how rough it is on kids to have working parents that do not have the time to watch them play or help them with homework. Simple acts of support from a teacher can go such a far way in an adolescent’s life. The timing is perfect for me to jump in and support these students.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce has given me a great opportunity to reach my full potential as a math teacher. Not only am I getting the training I need to teach, but I’ve also met a group of smart, motivated people who I can keep in contact with while we all start our teaching careers.
