Noyce Scholar Profile

Jennifer Scardelli
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Integrated Math and Science
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades K-8
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
William Paterson University
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
I am awaiting placement for observation in an urban school setting; my practicum semester is set for Fall of 2011.
Background:
I am a returning student working towards becoming a Math and Science teacher at William Paterson University. I have an Associate’s degree in both Business and in Liberal Arts, however my passion is for education and mathematics. I am very much looking forward to practicum and student teaching.
Why do you want to teach:
I want everyday to be a challenge and a learning experience for myself and for my future students. I also want to be able to have a positive impact on the lives of my students. By being a good role model and educator, I hope to inspire students to want to continue learning and growing throughout their lives and help lead them to being successful academically.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
When I was a junior in high school I had a mathematics teacher who changed the way I felt about the subject forever. Prior to his class, I thought that the only students who could succeed in math class were the “naturals” and that I was not one of them. Through his deliberate and inventive teaching style, my teacher taught me that any student could be successful at any subject as long as they were taught properly and put in the time and effort.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has given me the opportunity to stay in school for education and has opened many doors for me. I am thrilled to be heading towards a career as a teacher in a high needs school, and I am driven to learn as much as I possibly can while at William Paterson and beyond so that I can teach to the best of my ability at any given time. The Noyce scholarship is a wonderful opportunity, and I am so grateful to be a part of the program.