Noyce Scholar Profile
Alison Shows
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S. Finance; MAT Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Georgia State University/ Urban Mathematics Education Program
Current academic or teaching status:
First Year
School and school district:
Parks Middle School, Atlanta Public Schools
Background:
I went to Auburn University where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Finance. After working in sales and administrative roles for 7 years, I returned to school. I enrolled in Georgia State University to complete enough math courses to be accepted into the TEEMS secondary math program. I completed the graduate program in August 2010
Why do you want to teach:
I want to influence young minds positively. I love math and looking at the world mathematically. I want to give back to my community through forming relationships with young people in my neighborhood. I have been lucky enough to start my career in my zoned school district
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
In my 2nd or 3rd week of school, I was unexpectedly called out to two days of training. As I was driving home after the 2nd day, my phone rang. One of my students was calling me because she wanted to make sure I was coming back to school. I was so touched that after such a short time with this student, she was concerned about my attendance. We had formed a relationship and she showed me that.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has provided support, experiences, relationships, and information that I don’t think I could have gotten in any other program. The program encourages real-world teaching, relationship building and a community that makes teaching more approachable. I have never felt a lack of support of family in the past year and a half.
