Noyce Scholar Profile
Katlyn Webber
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Mathematics, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of South Carolina
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
Airport High School
Background:
I am originally from the small town of Moncks Corner, SC. I entered college in Fall 2009 with a Mathematics major. I am currently a junior at the University of South Carolina. I came in to college wanting to go straight into law school after graduation so I picked up a double major in Political Science. Since entering college, there has been a change of plans. I still have a double major in Mathematics and Political Science, but am now on the track to teach high school mathematics.
Why do you want to teach:
One of my biggest goals in life and in my career is to leave a legacy behind. It is more than being able to hang my hat on the temporary trappings of the world. I want to leave a legacy of impact. The only way I can accomplish this goal is through the inspiration of others around me. Clearly, children need the greatest impact of motivation. They continually seek for inspiration in a lot of the wrong things. I feel my love for math and children will help me become a math teacher, particularly a high school math teacher who leaves a lasting impression on my students’ lives. High school students are at a very impressionable age because this is the time they decide what they are going to pursue in life. By being a teacher, I know I will be able to influence students’ lives just as many of my teachers have helped shaped my career goals and aspirations.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I have yet to teach a class, thus I do not have any memorable personal teaching experiences. But I can recall the teaching that I have had in high school and college math classes. Luckily, I have had math teachers who are passionate about the subject. Thus, my memories come from them doing funny dances or showing interesting concepts that makes math a little more fun.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program is why I am now on the teaching track. I did not apply for teaching scholarships when I first came into college because I was not confident that teaching would be my future profession. But after taking math courses in college and having teachers passionate about the subject, it became very easy for me to see myself being content with teaching for the rest of my life. Finding out about the Noyce program, I gained the motivation to devote my future to teaching. Now, I no longer owe anything towards my tuition, and I am excited knowing I will be pursuing a career that I love. The Noyce program means a happier future for me.
