Noyce Scholar Profile

Melissa Wyckoff
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Mathematics BS
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Secondary Education
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Northern Colorado
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
N/A
Background:
I am 20 years old. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. I go to the University of Northern Colorado and I am studying math education. I am a very hard worker and I give 110% at everything I do.
Why do you want to teach:
I have always had a deep respect for teachers and because many teacher have greatly affected my life. I want to teach so that I can help students and to affect their lives, like many teachers have affected mine.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
One off my high school math teachers sat down and talked to me about things that were troubling me at home. This stands out in my mind because this teacher genuinely cared about me and how I was doing emotionally and not just in her class. She inspired me to become a teacher because the world needs more caring people like her, and I inspire to be just like her.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has meant a lot to me. It encourages students to become math and science teachers while getting good math and science teachers where they are needed most: in high needs schools. I share a lot of the same values with the Noyce program and it is also helping me achieve my life-long dream of becoming a teacher.