Noyce Scholar Profile

Sienna Silva
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology, Secondary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, grades 9-11
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Arizona State University STARR Noyce Scholarship Program
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
Westview High School, Avondale AZ
Background:
Born and raised in Arizona. I went to Westview High School in Avondale. I’m currently a part-time employee at U-haul International and go to the west campus of Arizona State University. This is my second year receiving this scholarship.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach high school biology
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
My most memorable experience was in my internship placement school last semester when I was helping a small group of students learn about the circulatory system. The students had to make a life size replica of a human body silhouette. I explained to them the importance of seeing and drawing the organs and different components. One by one I could see that the concepts were finally being understood by them and that they were learning because they were engaged.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has created so many opportunities for me. It’s actually very hard to put a word to what the program has meant to me. The networking and engagement with the community is endless. I feel that the program is constructed in a way that involvement is simply a requirement and no less is expected. I am very thankful that I have been given the gift of the endless opportunities provided by the program. It offers nothing more then professional development and an overall great experience.