Noyce Scholar Profile
Paul Stanton
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Math
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Secondary Math
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Texas Arlington--UTeach Program
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior Year
School and school district:
None
Background:
I have returned to school after several years with the intent of earning a degree in Math to teach at the high school level.
Why do you want to teach:
I grew tired of the business world and wanted to do something more beneficial to society in general. I have always enjoyed helping others learn.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
In a recent class of seventh grade students, one student was able to grasp that as probability got smaller, that the percentage was a fraction that was approaching zero. They were looking at a 1 out of 100 chance and she saw it as 1/100. As the odds got longer, she saw the denominator get larger an larger and saw that this approached zero. Basically, at seventh grade she was able to understand the beginnings of calculus. This showed me that it’s never too early to start introducing higher concepts to students.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
As an older-than-average college student, the Noyce scholarship has allowed me and my family to accelerate the process. I don’t have to work full time so I can take more classes and get into the field sooner. The seminars they offer have also been invaluable.
