My name is Erica Fitch, and I am from Vestal, NY. As a member of the Class of 2026,
I have just graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Sciences with a minor
in Education from ÑÇÖÞÇéɫ’s Harpur College. This fall, I will be continuing
my 4+1 MAT in Adolescent Math Education at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« as a full-time graduate
student. Some things I like to do in my free time include playing basketball and softball,
watching the NY Yankees, hanging out with friends, and playing with my dog, Oakley.
What first sparked your interest in teaching mathematics?
Throughout middle school and high school, I’ve always enjoyed the puzzles and satisfaction
of complicated calculations provided by various math classes. On top of this, I also
thoroughly enjoyed competition in and out of the classroom. In 7th grade math, I remember
my math teacher running a year-long game similar to The Apprentice. While I remember
crying in class because I almost got fired during the first round of eliminations,
I was truly intrigued by how my teacher made math class engaging through this simple
game. As I went through the rest of my math classes, I realized that while the interesting
math was still there, the engagement itch was not being scratched. By the end of high
school, falling in love with teaching others and my experiences in math class taught
me that being a math teacher was my calling.
Why do you want to be a math teacher?
Aside from my love of math, I want to be a math teacher because I love seeing and
helping people learn. In high school, my experiences leading youth sports camps had
shown me the thrill that comes with students grasping a concept alongside the challenge
of teaching them more. This feeling followed through college as I helped my friends
learn complex math concepts, building a sense of pride and joy between both of us.
I want to be a person for students to learn from and trust. As math is my favorite
subject and is something I know I can help students with, I now know that I want to
be a math teacher.
What does being a Noyce Scholar mean to you?
To me, being a Noyce Scholar means seeing education through a more well-rounded lens.
Most math education programs have preservice teachers solely working in a math classroom
all day long. Within 40 minute increments, these preservice teachers only get to interact
with students through teaching lessons or answering questions, mostly identifying
them via their names, grades, and tidbits of information about their lives from quick
conversations. However, being a Noyce Scholar has given me the opportunity to see
a more holistic view of each student. The time spent working in food pantries, folding
clothes, and distributing snacks has shown me the importance of meeting physical needs
outside of academics. I’ve also spent a bulk of my time in both of my placements’
drop-in centers, giving students a chance to fill me in on their social lives, their
interests, and what they may be struggling with. Being a Noyce Scholar has also led
me to partake in school-wide initiatives, whether it’s tabling for World Mental Health
Day or analyzing benchmark math test scores. All of these aspects, from meeting needs
to building a welcoming community, play a role in each student's education. As a Noyce
Scholar, both my math and community school placements have shown me who students are,
what they need to succeed, and how to best support them. Without these experiences,
I would not be the future teacher I currently am and aspire to be.
What kind of impact do you hope to have as a teacher?
I hope to have many different impacts on my students, my co-workers, and the entire
school community as a teacher. Pertaining to academics, I hope that I can help my
students understand and enjoy math as much as I did in secondary school. At the moment,
I also plan on coaching sports. Thus, I want to make my athletes feel seen and valued
as well as keep the love of their sport alive. As a figure in the school community,
I hope to be a person that students and staff feel comfortable with coming to if they
need support with anything. I want to be both a shoulder to cry on and the biggest
cheerleader for those I interact with. Overall, whether it’s in academics, sports,
or life, I want to cultivate a sense of belonging for everyone. That way, learning
can be informative, engaging, and enjoyable for all!
What has been the most meaningful experience you’ve had as a Noyce Scholar so far?
The most meaningful experience I’ve had as a Noyce Scholar thus far has been all of
the times I have taken my study hall students to help out in the food pantry in my
spring semester fieldwork placement. My math MAT cooperating teacher had a study hall
with over 20 students in it, many of whom do not have any homework to do. Therefore,
in collaboration with my math cooperating teacher and my community schools supervisor,
I have taken a handful of students over to the food pantry to stock shelves, fold
clothes, and crush boxes each time I was in the school. This collaboration also spread
further than just food pantry help, having students write and deliver Teacher Appreciation
Week notes and paint rocks with kind messages on them for the entire Pre-K-12 community.
Since all of these students are middle schoolers, many of them did not know of the
food pantry’s existence or the mental health services provided within the school.
However, this experience for these students has opened their eyes to what their community
school environment offers. It also made me realize how academics can actually collaborate
with community schools services as well, something that only happened because of me
being a Noyce Scholar. Overall, I am very pleased to see how I was able to integrate
my math placement and my community schools experiences into a learning opportunity
for my students, allowing them to make a difference and have fun while doing so.
Cohort 2
Sidney Stratcher
Sidney Stratcher
My major is Mathematical Sciences. I am a junior from Germantown, NY.
What first sparked my interest in teaching was definitely during COVID. Many of my
friends asked for help in Math class because they didn't pay attention, and the feeling
of helping and making a difference really stuck with me.
I want to be a math teacher so I can be a positive influence on kids and bring an
upbeat spirit to the classroom. I view myself as a very lively and younger spirit
than most, and I think that energy could excel in the classroom.
Being a NOYCE scholar means the world to me because I have been striving to be a teacher
for the longest time, and receiving this award makes me feel even closer to achieving
my goal. Also, the financial relief of some of my tuition allows me to worry less
about that and focus more on becoming the best scholar I can be.
I hope to teach that teacher that every student feels comfortable coming to if they
have an issue in their home life, school, or with friends. etc. I really want the
students to be able to connect with the environment I instill in my classroom, enough
that they never feel unwelcome.
Nathan Phillips
Nathan Phillips
ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« Myself
My name is Nathan Phillips and I am majoring in Mathematical Sciences on a BA track.
I am from Springville, NY, a small town 35 minutes south of Buffalo and I graduated
from St. Francis High School in Hamburg, NY in 2024. I have completed the first two
years of my undergraduate program at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« and will be starting my final undergraduate
year this fall with an expected graduation of Spring 2027. In my free time, I am
an avid distance runner and someone who strives to maintain a healthy lifestyle on
top of a heavy academic workload. I have completed two full marathons, both at Presque
Isle Park in Erie, PA and plan to do more in the future. I also enjoy mentoring younger
athletes and sharing with them my knowledge on running.
Interest in Teaching Mathematics
Since middle school, I have had an interest in mathematics with my interest growing
throughout high school and during my initial semester at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ«. Therefore, I
decided to major in the subject. After thinking about a career I wanted to pursue,
I had a few ideas in mind but was questioning the life I wanted to lead and how I
want to spend my time. Therefore, teaching mathematics grew of interest as it was
a viable way to pursue the study longterm while helping others in the process.
Why Teaching
While there are many routes my degree can take me, I choose teaching for my desire
to help others, be a fundamental part of developing the next generation, and the great
work-life balance I could maintain. Furthermore, teaching allows me to pursue coaching
whereas the time commitment for other jobs may not allow. Since my first semester
in college, I developed an online tutoring presence on Wyzant where I tutor students
from 8th grade to college level on various math subjects via online meetings. I have
seen great success in my abilities thus far, receiving numerous positive feedback
responses and 35+ five-star ratings. Tutoring allows me to gain a taste of what teaching
is like in a controlled setting where I can work on my delivery of a subject and conveying
information to students. To build on this, I have made several You Tube videos where
I go in depth on college mathematical concepts.
Being a NOYCE Scholar
Being a NOYCE scholar is a tremendous honor and something I take great value in. The
opportunities this program offers introduce new ways to reach my potential in the
field of teaching. Furthermore, the scholarship eliminates some of the financial
burden from college, making graduate school and eventually teaching much more accessible.
Furthermore, as does my tutoring, the NOYCE program recognizes my strengths as an
individual both in an out of the classroom, serving as a testament to my abilities
and potential in the teaching profession.
Impact as a Teacher
As a teacher, I hope to make a difference in students' lives and make learning mathematics
accessible to anyone. From various experiences I have encountered, learning in general
has not always been accessible because of how the material is presented and taught.
While all teachers have varying approaches, their ability to adapt to specific students'
needs and adjust their approach on an as-needed basis is crucial. Those are the teachers
who have impacted and made a difference in my life and whom I strive to be like. If
I can adapt and teach my students in a more personable manner where I am more than
just a teacher, but a mentor, that is a win for me. Teachers who can relate to students'
lives outside of the classroom maintain a human aspect which students respect and
will relate to. In turn, there is a productive learning environment for everyone,
which is something I hope to achieve.
