Noyce Scholar Profile
Melissa Stringer
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Northern Colorado
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
Currently work at ABC Child Development Center, will be in the schools for practicum in Spring 2012
Background:
I have always wanted to be a teacher and to help students realize their potential. My parents have been very supportive in my decision. At one time I wanted to be an engineer, but my heart was in teaching. It was my fifth grade classroom teacher who got me excited about mathematics. I hope that my background in elementary education will better prepare me to teach mathematics at the secondary level because of the focus on pedagogy.
Why do you want to teach:
The motivating factor for being a teacher is the excitement of students to learn. I live for the time when a student understands a concept, and you can read on their face their accomplishment. I want to help students achieve this experience.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
The most memorable teaching experience I have had was during a tutoring session with a young girl. We had worked many weeks on a concept, and I was beginning to think that maybe she needed help beyond what I could provide. Then one day, out of the blue, she showed complete mastery over the subject. This meant much to me because I knew that if I had not spent the time helping her, she would have been forgotten.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has shown me what a passion I have for teaching the older grades. Before the Noyce program, I would not have stepped into a middle school to teach. Now middle schoolers are the prime age that I desire to teach. The program has rejuvenated a love for mathematics that is often times lost. I realized that with my understanding of mathematics I could make a real difference to children who come from schools like mine.
