Noyce Scholar Profile
Dan Tuschong
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Masters In Teaching
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Secondary Mathematics
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
Washington State University
Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate Student
School and school district:
Lincoln Middle School, Pullman, Wa
Background:
I am originally from Rochester, NY. I graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Packaging Science. After graduating from RIT I worked for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Unisource World Wide, and Magna Powertrain as a packaging engineer. As a packaging engineer I worked on the efficiency of material flow in a manufacturing environment. This included budget development, design and implementation of returnable container systems within new model year launches and continuous improvement projects.
Why do you want to teach:
The main reason I chose math as a teaching field, is because of the challenges that our society puts on math teachers. It is interesting to me that as a society no one will openly admit that they cannot read, although many are quick to profess their inabilities in the math field. I do not quite understand why this is an accepted cultural norm but I want to be apart of the push to change this statement.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I just started to observe a sixth grade class at Lincoln Middle School in Pullman, Wa. It is amazing to see the excitement that the students show for using the smart board that is in class. It is amazing to see how students that dread going to math class get excited by using the technology that is in the room. I realize smart boards have a high price tag but, their ability to engage students is fairly remarkable.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has meant a chance at a new career. I did not enjoy working in a manufacturing setting and knew that it was a time for a change in career. The Noyce scholarship means that I can give back to students my hands on experience with math and engineering. I enjoy being able to have a career where I can show relevant applications of math and engineering to others.
