Were it not for the Noyce Teacher Scholarship that California State University, Stanislaus student Alice Poulson is receiving this coming academic year, her goal of becoming a science teacher would still be just out of reach.
“I couldn’t afford to stay in school, so I dropped out,” she said. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher for a long time, but – if it weren’t for this scholarship – I wouldn’t be here at all,” Poulson said.
Since winning the $10,000 award, Poulson, 39, has re-enrolled in CSU Stanislaus and is on track to earn a teaching credential.
Poulson is one of 13 CSU Stanislaus students who have been awarded Noyce scholarships for the coming academic year, which is the first of five years the program will be in place at the University.
Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
The Noyce Teacher Scholarship is an $896,000 National Science Foundation grant that will enable CSU Stanislaus to give $10,000 awards to aspiring math and science teachers. Students can receive the award up to three times for their junior, senior and credentialing years. The program aims to encourage math and science majors to select careers in education.
“Nationwide, there is a high demand for math and science teachers. This region is no different,” said Dr. Michael Stevens, who led the group that secured the grant. “There are higher paying career options for math and science students, so you need to be passionate about teaching to consider this career. You also have to be sincerely passionate about teaching to ignite the spark in others.”
Teachers from the Valley for the Valley
The program calls upon award recipients to give back by working two years at a high-needs junior high or high school for every year a recipient is awarded a scholarship. Given that most San Joaquin Valley schools meet the high-need criteria (high percent of students from low-income families, high teacher turnover rates, and a shortage of teachers qualified to teach science and math), award recipients can serve their own communities, which will have a lasting impact on the region, said Dr. Juan Flores, who helps run the scholarship program.
“We have to do a good job developing our teachers because their students come back to us when they come to CSU Stanislaus for college,” Flores said.
Other scholars available for interview
Martin Casillas, 41, had a successful business building custom boats for 15 years. When the economy began sinking two years ago, it took Casillas’ business with it.
“We could either wait for the economy to get better, or do what we originally wanted to do,” said Casillas, who has no regrets. “The more classes I took, the more I absorbed, the clearer my path became. This is what I always wanted.”
Paul Anserlian, 23, was working 30 hours a week to afford school. The Biology major was working so much, he could only take 10 units a semester. Not quite a full-time student, Anserlian was progressing slowly toward his degree. The Noyce scholarship has made it possible for Anserlian to cut back his work hours and take more classes, which will help him to graduate sooner and be eligible for health insurance, Anserlian said.
“I couldn’t afford to stay in school, so I dropped out,” she said. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher for a long time, but – if it weren’t for this scholarship – I wouldn’t be here at all,” Poulson said.
Since winning the $10,000 award, Poulson, 39, has re-enrolled in CSU Stanislaus and is on track to earn a teaching credential.
Poulson is one of 13 CSU Stanislaus students who have been awarded Noyce scholarships for the coming academic year, which is the first of five years the program will be in place at the University.
Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
The Noyce Teacher Scholarship is an $896,000 National Science Foundation grant that will enable CSU Stanislaus to give $10,000 awards to aspiring math and science teachers. Students can receive the award up to three times for their junior, senior and credentialing years. The program aims to encourage math and science majors to select careers in education.
“Nationwide, there is a high demand for math and science teachers. This region is no different,” said Dr. Michael Stevens, who led the group that secured the grant. “There are higher paying career options for math and science students, so you need to be passionate about teaching to consider this career. You also have to be sincerely passionate about teaching to ignite the spark in others.”
Teachers from the Valley for the Valley
The program calls upon award recipients to give back by working two years at a high-needs junior high or high school for every year a recipient is awarded a scholarship. Given that most San Joaquin Valley schools meet the high-need criteria (high percent of students from low-income families, high teacher turnover rates, and a shortage of teachers qualified to teach science and math), award recipients can serve their own communities, which will have a lasting impact on the region, said Dr. Juan Flores, who helps run the scholarship program.
“We have to do a good job developing our teachers because their students come back to us when they come to CSU Stanislaus for college,” Flores said.
Other scholars available for interview
Martin Casillas, 41, had a successful business building custom boats for 15 years. When the economy began sinking two years ago, it took Casillas’ business with it.
“We could either wait for the economy to get better, or do what we originally wanted to do,” said Casillas, who has no regrets. “The more classes I took, the more I absorbed, the clearer my path became. This is what I always wanted.”
Paul Anserlian, 23, was working 30 hours a week to afford school. The Biology major was working so much, he could only take 10 units a semester. Not quite a full-time student, Anserlian was progressing slowly toward his degree. The Noyce scholarship has made it possible for Anserlian to cut back his work hours and take more classes, which will help him to graduate sooner and be eligible for health insurance, Anserlian said.