Noyce Scholar Profile
Luis Reyes
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Chemistry
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Physical Sciences, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Texas at Arlington
Current academic or teaching status:
Adjunct Instructor
School and school district:
Practicum (2010), Haltom High School
Background:
I returned to school to complete a master’s in Chemistry and Education, after serving in the Texas Air National Guard – AD Air Force for 27 years. I became enchanted with Chemistry in 8th grade and really enjoy sharing what I know with others.
Why do you want to teach:
I believe that education is the key to sustain our democratic system. In particular, I like to teach science because science literacy is essential in our current society if we want to be active, well-informed decision-making citizens.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I once had a student who, after struggling through the course, left me a note stating that this was the first course in which she felt she actually learned something. Moreover, she stated that before the course, she hated science, but that after having so much fun in the course, she loved chemistry now.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The program allowed me to interact with experienced fellow science teachers. They shared so much information and enthusiasm with me.
