Noyce Scholar Profile
Jeff Rapp
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Earth Science and Conservation Biology, grade 6
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
San Diego State University
Current academic or teaching status:
4 years
School and school district:
Pershing Middle, San Diego Unified School District
Background:
I’m a native of San Diego who has always been fascinated by the outdoors and science. I attended San Diego State University (SDSU) where I obtained a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in teaching. I then earned my Teaching Credential from SDSU following my undergraduate experience. I am currently in a Master’s program with San Diego Zoo Global and Miami University of Ohio where I will be earning a M.A. in Zoology.
Why do you want to teach:
I love teaching because I am able to help guide students on a better path and facilitate the growth of their intellectual capacity as they learn to become more independent problem solvers.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I was teaching high school biology and conducting a DNA extraction lab using strawberries. While the students had been informed that DNA was in plants the same way it was in humans and animals, there was some reluctance to believe that. Towards the end of the lab, watching the students’ faces light up in disbelief when they extracted the DNA from the strawberries was truly priceless. It was at that moment that it appeared an entirely new world of possibilities had opened for them and this was just barely scratching the surface.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has helped me to strengthen my abilities as a teacher and better understand the mindset of the students. Through this relationship with Noyce, I am able to push my students to higher levels and better prepare them not only for future science classes in their academic careers but also for life in general by developing critical thinking skills.
