Noyce Scholar Profile
Patrick Spieler
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: B.S., Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate student
School and school district:
Student teaching with Brent Larson, Noyce Master Teacher Fellow, Omaha Central High School
Background:
I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa and later attended Wayne State College. A 10-year career as a professional baseball umpire ended after my wife and I started a family. I obtained a mathematics degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and worked at an insurance company for five years before hearing about the opportunity to become a math teacher through the Noyce program.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to share my love for mathematics with students and help make real world connections with what they learn in the classroom so that they can understand and appreciate the mathematics that is a part of their daily lives.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I have had many outstanding teachers and they all had the ability to show that they cared about me not only as a student in their classroom, but also as an individual outside their classroom.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has provided me with the means to change careers and become a highly-qualified mathematics teacher. I am grateful for this opportunity to follow my calling to become a mathematics teacher.
