Noyce Scholar Profile

Kaelyn Viveiros
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Marine Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Current academic or teaching status:
First Year Teacher, Graduate Student
School and school district:
New Bedford High School, New Bedford, MA
Background:
I went to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and received a B.S. in Marine Biology. I did my student teaching at Durfee High School and am now working at New Bedford High School. I have lived in New Bedford my entire life and went to the public schools until high school.
Why do you want to teach:
I started teaching so that I could give back to my community and help students who needed me. My hope is to make a difference in a child’s life.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
A student told me that she was going to fail. I worked with her for weeks, and when I took over the class I moved her to the front of the room. She was doing her work and paying attention. Her attitude improved as well. She was the only student to receive a perfect score on the first quiz I gave; I was incredibly proud of her. She was proud of herself and that made all my efforts with her worth it.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has allowed me to finish most of my graduate level classes while getting experience teaching. Without the Noyce scholarship, I could still teach, but I wouldn’t be as well-prepared as I am in this program.