Noyce Scholar Profile
Madelyn Urrutia
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of California, Riverside
Current academic or teaching status:
4th year
School and school district:
Vista del Lago High School, Moreno Valley Unified School District
Background:
I am originally from Los Angeles, California, but I was raised in San Bernardino. My mother is from Mexico, and my father is from Honduras. My hobbies include singing, playing tennis, and of course, teaching.
Why do you want to teach:
I am striving to become either a high school chemistry teacher, or a middle school life science teacher.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
A memorable teaching experience that I had was when a woman that I was tutoring came up to me with a huge smile and handed me her graded chemistry test. She received an A on it and was so excited that she had to show me everything I was helping her learn. She gave me a huge hug and told me she couldn’t have done it without me. That warmed my heart so much. From then on, I knew this is what I wanted to do.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce has not only given me the opportunity to continue my education in a terrible economy, but it has also extended my teaching opportunities. By way of Noyce, I have had the beautiful privilege to observe in a high school chemistry class in Moreno Valley, and I have been able to increase my teaching skills and experience. I am learning more about how to be an effective teacher and how to deal with many different types of students. I am enjoying it so much, and I couldn’t have had this chance without Noyce.
