Noyce Scholar Profile
Amber Vlasnik
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Secondary Education in Mathematics and History
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: 9-12 Math: Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship
Current academic or teaching status:
Five years of teaching experience
School and school district:
Lincoln High School, Lincoln Public Schools
Background:
I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. I attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney for my undergraduate degree and did my student teaching in Houston, Texas. I returned to Lincoln in 2009 and have been teaching in Lincoln Public Schools ever since.
Why do you want to teach:
I teach because I want to make a difference in the lives of students. I believe that math makes sense of the world and that students can be inspired to see the beauty in it.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I taught a group of students in Houston who were above grade level in math. Even though they excelled, many of them did not have high hopes for their academic futures. We spent a lot of time talking about opportunities they could take advantage of and I believe that I was able to inspire some of those students to dream new dreams. Many of them are still in contact with me and are experiencing their first year of college!
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
Noyce is an opportunity to be a part of a community of like-minded individuals who what to have a lasting impact on mathematics education.
