Noyce Scholar Profile
Christopher Salata
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Physics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Physics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Towson University
Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate Student
School and school district:
Student Teacher, Franklin High School, Baltimore County
Background:
My education was pretty varied. I went to two different elementary schools in Montgomery County, MD, one from K-3rd grade, the second from 4th-5th grade. I was home-schooled for two years after that, then attended Calvert Hall College High School for 9th grade and finished high school at Hereford High School in Baltimore County. I went to the University of Maryland, College Park to study physics and spent four years there, participating in two different research projects at once, one on sonoluminescence (bubble fusion) and the other on parabolic reflector/solar panel systems. Now I’m studying secondary education at Towson University which, while not as complicated as my other research topics, is enjoyable nevertheless.
Why do you want to teach:
Reason number one for my wanting to teach is that I think it is a good way for me to make a difference in the way our country looks at math and science. Good science and math teachers are extremely important in encouraging kids to pursue a career in math or science, and there seems to be a considerable lack of good science and math teachers. That’s why it’s my goal to be the best physics teacher that I can be.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I’ve only been student teaching for about a month, so I don’t have too many experiences, but one that definitely stands out in my mind is the first time that I taught part of a class on my own. I was nervous the whole time and somehow managed to stumble through it, but when I was finished, I thought “That wasn’t so bad.” Then my mentor teacher told me all the things that I did wrong, and I thought “Well, I guess this is why they give us a whole year!” At least I won’t get bored!
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program stands for community and training for teachers, and it makes me glad to know that I have these resources to help me through the awkward beginning stage of my first teaching experience. I am looking forward to being involved in activities and outreach programs planned by the Noyce program.
