Noyce Scholar Profile
Patrik Chase Prouse
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S., Geology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Composite Sciences, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Texas at Arlington
Current academic or teaching status:
Undergraduate
School and school district:
Preservice
Background:
I was raised in Austin and graduated from John B. Connally High school in 2004. I then spent until 2012 in the wilds of the retail world, including seven and a half years at Apple Inc. In 2012, I returned to the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a degree in geology and discovered both my love of teaching others and the UTeach program, in which I am currently enrolled. I love spending time exploring geological sites and helping others kindle their love of learning.
Why do you want to teach:
One of the few things I enjoy more than exploring the world around me is helping others to do the same. After a couple of times teaching in the classroom environment early in the UTeach program, I found that I enjoy it just as much in a classroom as I do out in the field or in a retail store.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I had a wonderful time teaching middle schoolers about landforms created by stream flow. We made stream tables using aluminum turkey trays, sand and other materials. I loved seeing the way the students were able to just GET how these landforms happened, and the things they could do to change what formed and how.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
It gives me the ability to know that I’ll be able to make it through my time in college, and that I’ll have support and help in the beginning of my teaching career.
