2019 FALL LYCOMING COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Cara Zortman ’21 is the Noyce Teacher Scholar for the 2019-20 academic year. The biology major is seeking certification in secondary education in biology (7-12). When did you first become interested in STEM? Growing up, science had always been one of my favorite school subjects; however, I became most interested in STEM my freshman year of high school while taking a biology course. Why are you interested in teaching? Part of me always knew I wanted to be a teacher because I have always loved school (I wrote about wanting to be a teacher for the first time in preschool). I love the idea of positively impacting the lives of students and helping shape their futures. Noyce scholarship recipients must agree to teach math or science in a high-need public school. What interested you in this opportunity? My sister, Summer, teaches at a high-need public school in South Carolina and has told me so many great things about her experiences there and how she loves how much of an impact she is able to make in her students’ lives. While I love biology, I want to teach to make a positive impact on people, and I feel like this opportunity will give me the best chance to do so. What career do you plan to pursue after you fulfill your scholarship teaching commitment? I plan to continue teaching while also pursuing my masters and hopefully a doctorate degree. I may want to become a college professor to allow me to continue teaching while also doing my own research. Why did you choose to attend Lycoming College? I was used to having close relationships with my teachers growing up and therefore wanted to attend a school that would allow me to build those relationships with my professors. I feel like I learn best in a small environment that allows for the most interaction between myself, professors, and my peers. Every time I came to Lycoming, I saw just that. Kaitlyn Adams ’19 was the inaugural Noyce Teacher Scholar. She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics with certification in secondary mathematics (7-12) and special education (7-12) in May 2019. How did Lycoming best prepare you for your chosen profession? The professors that I had in both the math and education departments really supported and encouraged me to do my best and succeed, and they allowed me to grow and become more confident in my abilities that I will use in the classroom. Lycoming provided me with opportunities to expand my knowledge through many leadership experiences. How do you hope to make an impact in the lives of your students? I hope to create a classroom environment where students feel safe and welcome — somewhere they can come and know that no matter what they are going through, they have someone to support them, motivate them, and encourage them to pursue their dreams. As a math major, I also want to introduce students to STEM programs that can help them discover new interests and opportunities. I love being able to help students and see their faces light up when they figure something out that they have been struggling with, especially if they are the type of student who consistently struggles in math. How was being a Noyce Teacher Scholar beneficial to your education at Lycoming? I had two awesome placements for student teaching where I was able to use some STEM training in the classroom. I also helped my professors plan the education seminar that related to the Noyce Scholarship. I am very appreciative of this support because the scholarship helped to further my education and make me a strong candidate for many schools that I am applying to. I am able to use my knowledge of STEM to create better lessons for students, and I hope to work with a school where I can support their STEM program and bring new thoughts and ideas that I have learned as a Noyce Scholar. KAITLYN ADAMS ’19 CARA ZORTMAN ’21 15 www.lycoming.edu