Noyce Scholar Profile
Robert Thompson
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics/Secondary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 6-8
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Northern Colorado
Current academic or teaching status:
Senior
School and school district:
Not currently placed in a school
Background:
I come from a long line of teachers and educators. I am a non-traditional student returning to school after holding many different trade occupations. Most of this time has been spent driving commercial trucks. I was a Physics and Mechanical Engineering major during my first try at college in the early 1990s. I have a wife and two daughters, one is a junior at the University of Wyoming and the other is in the eighth grade. I currently spend a lot of time coaching youth including varsity assistant softball coach at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown, Colorado.
Why do you want to teach:
In my years as a parent and coach I have developed a great love for teaching and growing young minds. Seeing the children’s sense of accomplishments is the greatest satisfaction that I can get. I also feel that through my own experience and love for math I can help change the outlook of today’s youth about the importance of mathematics.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
During my last semester of classroom observations in Greeley. I had the great opportunity to meet a young Somalian immigrant. At first she was very quiet and shy. It really bothered me that she would spend every math class staring at a blank piece of paper. Through using techniques learned in my special education class, I was able to help her become engaged in the classroom work and accomplish her given homework. At the end of the semester, she came to thank me for helping her in school. This experience will stand out to me forever as an example of why I teach.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has given me the sense of security that I will financially be able to finish school. Since this is my first semester, I have not yet been able to experience all that the Noyce program has to offer, but I am looking forward to all the benefits of the program.
