Noyce Scholar Profile
David Tupper
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Kinesiology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: MIddle School Science
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
San Diego State University Noyce Mathematics and Science Master Teaching Fellowship Program
Current academic or teaching status:
13 Years teaching
School and school district:
Tierra del Sol Middle School, Lakeside Union School District
Background:
I am currently finishing up as Project Director for a California Math Science Partnership (3 local districts, K-12 Alliance, County Office and San Diego State University) that focused on teacher content, project-based learning and Sense-Making Science Notebooks. I taught at the elementary level before making the move to middle school science.
Why do you want to teach:
I enjoy the challenge of creating interesting and engaging ways to help students build knowledge, make connections, and develop conceptual understanding around big ideas in science. Working with colleagues and interacting with the students makes me happy. My job is fun.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
My first assignment was to open an overflow classroom in a school with too many students and too few buildings. I was hired the Friday before school started and the “classroom” was the auditorium with my desk on the stage. Teachers I did not know pitched in to decorate and enrich the room, the kids had a great time in the largest classroom on campus, and I learned to adapt to whatever situation I was faced with. (Lunch was served in our “classroom”, we rearranged for assemblies, etc.) It was a formative experience as I learned a few important things. Teachers will do almost anything to support students and each other, kids are resilient and adaptable, and as a teacher if you are not flexible, things can be tough. What a fun opportunity to learn and grow as a new teacher. I still think of it as I drive by that school and work with new teachers.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program means collaboration and continuous improvement through examination of practice. I know I can always increase my effectiveness as a teacher and working with like minded professionals is a great way to do just that. I am looking forward to learning and growing.
