Noyce Scholar Profile
Bernard Smith
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:
Hendrix College (Hendrix N-STEAD)
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
n/a
Background:
I grew up in the small town of Beebe, Arkansas with my parents and my three siblings. I have always been academically minded and have always enjoyed going to school. This led to my decision to teach at the young age of ten. Because I enjoyed all aspects of school, I never really knew whether I preferred the sciences or the humanities more. I decided my senior year of high school to compromise; I would get a degree in English and minor in Math. I graduated Beebe High School and decided to attend Hendrix College, where after a semester, I left the idea of graduating with an English degree and instead pursued a Mathematics major.
Why do you want to teach:
I have always seen the importance of ensuring that children are given the best education possible. I have always felt comfortable in school and enjoyed my classes. Not only will I be able to create that same sort of environment for my future students, I will also be able to fulfill the calling I have always had in my heart, to serve others.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
In one of my education classes, I had to observe a seventh-grade algebra class and teach a few lessons during the course of the semester. Due to other obligations, my time was limited with the students. Because of this, I never thought that the kids really knew me enough to develop any sort of judgment about me. However, right before my last lesson, a lot of students came into the classroom and cheered when they saw me standing in front. This showed me that through the interaction I had with them, we had already developed a rapport, and they respected me as a teacher. From this experience, I realized the importance of being excited and passionate in front of my students. Not only did I have more energy for the lesson, but the students reflected that same energy and passion.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
For me, the Noyce program means reaching out to those students who are in need of quality education, those who may be lacking in learning simply because of circumstances out of their control. The Noyce program means going out into the unknown in order to better the world for others through math and science education.
