Noyce Scholar Profile
John Rojas
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Florida International University
Current academic or teaching status:
Recent Graduate 2013
School and school district:
Felix Varela SHS, Miami-Dade County
Background:
I am from Hollywood, FL. I am a first born American. I have a great family with two amazing younger sisters who mean the world to me. I love to learn, and I love mathematics, which leads to me loving to teach mathematics.
Why do you want to teach:
I originally wanted to be an astronaut and was studying aerospace engineering. I still love that field but for many reasons I switched my major to mathematics, and transferred to FIU. They offered me the NOYCE scholarship along with an LA job over the next two years of my education. An LA is essentially a tutor for undergraduate students. Once I started doing that I realized how happy teaching made me. To help other people understand and see the beauty of mathematics always brought a smile to my face. Know I realize that I have always been a teacher of many aspects of life to my sisters and friends.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my internship I taught 10th grade geometry and on my last day a student had written me a letter. He struggled in mathematics but was making a strong effort to do his homework and understand the material. His letter described to me how grateful he was that I was there to help him improve and that I shouldn’t focus too much on the students I couldn’t reach. He said that I helped him tremendously and that I was a great teacher should and will do great in my life. It really touched me that a high school male student would go out of his way to write a letter of gratitude to me. I still have the letter and will always remember that student.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The NOYCE program provided me with many opportunities to learn and progress through my college degree. They not only supported me with funds but also with a community of support and activities for me to do. Working as an LA gave me strong teaching experience and gave me a community of other math educators to be a part of.
