Noyce Scholar Profile
Jessica Romo
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics and Spanish
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics in the Secondary Level
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
California State University, Stanislaus
Current academic or teaching status:
Single Subject Credential Program
School and school district:
Turlock Junior High, Turlock Unified School District
Background:
I was born in Mexico and came to the United States at the age of 7. I have been living in Los Banos ever since. After graduating from Los Banos High School in 2008, I started my undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Spanish at California State University, Stanislaus. I received my Bachelor of Art in both Mathematics and Spanish and started the Bilingual Single Subject Credential Program at CSU Stanislaus. Currently, I am in my last semester in the credential program and will receive my preliminary credential in December. In addition, I have an internship at Turlock Junior High.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach because I want to inspire and make a difference in the lives of my students. I want students to know, especially the minority students, that they can do anything they put their minds to. Moreover, that it’s possible for them to go to college and have the life that they, and possibly their parents, imaged.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
One memorable teaching experience was when I was working with a student. This particular student never turned in any assignments and was constantly off task during class. I was able to work with him one-on-one and go over the lesson that his teacher was teaching that day. I was able to explain to him the material and he was able to understand it. The following day, the his teacher informed me that the student had turned in his assignment. That particular memory stands out because seeing the look in his face when he said, “I got it” was priceless. For me, being able to see the “I got it” look in the students face is the best thing in the world.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has helped me out tremendously. It has opened many doors that I would otherwise would not have had the access to. Furthermore, it has given me not only the financial resources that I needed, but also a great deal of support along the way. I know I always have someone to go to if I ever need any help.
