Noyce Scholar Profile
Zachary Sorenson
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S., Applied and Computational Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Boston University
Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate Student
School and school district:
Observation at Framingham H.S.
Background:
I was born and raised in Colorado. During my time there, I graduated from Broomfield High School and Colorado School of Mines. In addition, I worked at a day program for adults with special needs called F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of Broomfield at the end of high school and throughout my college career. Further, I have volunteered at a camp called Camp Jabberwocky located in Martha’s Vineyard for the past 6 years during part of my summer. In college, I was the Project Chair and the President of a service group called Circle K. I moved to Boston to pursue a Master’s degree and teaching licensure in June 2010.
Why do you want to teach:
The main reason I want to teach is because I love doing it. I love math, and I love explaining math to others. I have been unable to find something as satisfying as helping students struggle through a difficult problem and having them arrive at a deeper understanding of math because of their efforts. I want to teach math in particular because I believe it helps people become better problem solvers and gives them a chance to understand the world that is around them. Based on my experience and my education, I feel there is no other occupation that suits me better than being a teacher.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
When I came into my Calculus class senior year of high school, I had always thought that I was a middle of the pack student. I began to do very well in that class and part of the reason is I had a teacher who could relate to me. Half-way through the class, I started to fall back into the middle of the pack. It was at this point that my teacher looked me in the eyes and told me that she knew that I could do better. She continued to push me to my true potential and helped me realize how much I really love math. This memory sticks out in my mind because one of my goals as a new teacher is to be able to establish similar relationships with my students and be able to help them through difficult moments to find their true potential.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means that I will be given an opportunity to work in a district with students who have high needs. Boston University currently has me observing in a high needs school, which will help me when I teach in my own classroom.
