Noyce Scholar Profile
Sasha Risner
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Secondary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Missouri-Columbia
Current academic or teaching status:
Completed 5 years-undergrad
School and school district:
Student teaching internship- Smith Cotton High School, Sedalia Schools 200
Background:
My mother is from Costa Rica and my father was born and raised in Missouri. My father was a Mizzou graduate and so I followed in his foot steps. I took a much different route than he choose. He graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. I went the biology path. I have one older brother who is extremely artistic and is working his way through school himself.
Why do you want to teach:
I knew I wanted to become a teacher from a very young age. I have been chasing my dream for years and I have finally graduated and anticipate the day I have my own classroom. I want to be the teacher that changes students’ way of thinking and expand their horizon of knowledge and confidence. Even if I don’t make a difference in means of biology I do expect to touch the hearts of all my students one way or another.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
When I finished my internship at Smith Cotton High School, I wasn’t expecting all the ranting and raving about how important I was to the students. It was those students who touched my spirit when they said, “I couldn’t have done it without you Ms. Risner, thank you”. I know I was where I was supposed to be. I would like to make it back in two years and watch many of students graduate from high school and let them know I am still here for them. They were all special to me. In a sense, they were my first classes of student in my teaching career and hold a special place in my heart.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has made me be able to further my education and accomplish the goal of graduation with a dual degree. That had expanded my knowledge in the content area and given me experiences I could never forget. I am thankful for every class the program has allowed me to take. Each one has become a part of me that I plan to pass on in my classroom.
