Noyce Scholar Profile
Sarah Weinreis
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Chemistry
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, grades 6-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Michigan Technological University
Current academic or teaching status:
Post-baccalaureate
School and school district:
Arthur Hill High School, Saginaw Public Schools
Background:
I graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS in chemistry in 2008. After graduation, I enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at the University of Wisconsin Madison. As part of the graduate program, I had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant for freshman chemistry courses. I fell in love with teaching, so after completing my MS in chemistry, I returned to Michigan Tech to earn my secondary education certification.
Why do you want to teach:
After my initial experiences working with students, I fell in love with teaching. This passion stems from several aspects of the job: the positive interactions with students, the rewarding feeling that accompanies helping other people, and the joy that comes with realizing something has “clicked” in the mind of a struggling student. I am particularly excited to teach high school students, with the goals of instilling an interest and confidence in math and science and providing the tools necessary for them to pursue post-secondary education.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
In the summer of 2011, I worked as a teaching assistant for a fast-paced high school chemistry class. While most students were engaged with the material, one girl was thoroughly unimpressed by chemistry. However, that all changed when we discussed the creation of the synthetic elements. As our discussion progressed, her eyes grew wider and wider. Her interest and imagination had been caught, and she had a new goal: to discover new elements. For the rest of the course, she became fixated on the periodic table and nuclear chemistry. Watching her passion and interest develop was an incredibly rewarding experience, and is a prime example of why I want to be a teacher.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has meant a great deal to me. It has provided me with the tools to pursue my dream of becoming a high school teacher, and has opened my eyes to the challenges faced by students in high-needs schools. I can’t wait to start making a difference in the lives of students, and I am grateful to the Noyce program for providing me with the opportunity to do so.
