Noyce Scholar Profile
Claudio Salas
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
CSU San Bernardino NOYCE Scholar
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
Shandin Hills Middle School, San Bernardino School District
Background:
I was born in Pomona, California. My family was very poor. We were a family of 6 living in a one bedroom apartment. Sports are what kept me out of the streets most of the time. Luckily I met someone who helped get into a four year university. It was here where I fell in love with Mathematics. It came to me very easy during high school, but I never liked as much as I do now. I left the country for two years and lived in Italy where I studied Italian literature and played soccer in several 4th division teams. Now I am trying to pursue my a job teaching mathematics and hopefully soccer as well in a high school.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to help erase this fear that many students have of mathematics. Some students are so scared into believing they will never understand it, but I believe that with a good teacher and a good attitude, every student can learn math. I love teaching, whether it’s math or soccer. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with students and peers. I would also like to give back to the community and help students from low income families arrive to college just like I was able to.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I can still remember the first time I tutored a student in math. She was so happy that she finally was able to understand the concept due to my help. I then remembered having a similar feeling when I was a high school student. It feels good when we understand, and just seeing how happy the first student I tutored was made me realize that teaching mathematics was my future.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce has provided me with a good teaching mentor to help better prepare myself for my future job. It has also provided for great experience in a classroom. The financial help I receive from the NOYCE program allows me to not have to work much and concentrate on my lesson plans and studies.
