2015 NOYCE PTM Scholars


Brian Franch

Brian Franch

My aspiration is to have the opportunity to help students see the beauty in learning math and showing them its applications in fields such as science and technology.

Helping others learn has been a passion of mine since I can remember. For example, my high school friends still bring up the ties when I would use the little time between classes to show them how to solve math problems.

Being a math teacher is much more than just instructing a course, especially in a high needs school. the years in a person's life before reaching adulthood can be the most challenging and critical to getting on the right path. Sometimes a teacher is the person situated the best in a person's everyday life to mentor and help him or her get through a tough time. I was helped tremendously by a teacher during high school when my parents were going through divorce, and I would love to have the chance to be that important to someone having a similar challenge.


Shila Gilbert

Shila Gilbert

I feel that my motivation for teaching in high needs schools stems from two aspects: first, a large scale economic perspective and second from an individualized personal perspective. The emphasis on STEM studies and education is important to help students find work in the future. Also while we should care for the country, we should also remember the individuals these jobs help.

With my background in chemical engineering and biochemical engineering, I see how math plays a role in different areas of life. I find myself both excited and nervous as I learn and become more proficient at teaching by finding new ways to show concepts and by teaching to different learning styles. I hope to have a classroom where students do well and where they are prepared for the rest of their lives.


Mary Ann Wilson

Mary Ann Wilson

I hear on an almost daily basis from my college students that I am a good teacher--that they understand math for the first time. I also receive a great deal of positive feedback from my fellow instructors. I consider myself a lifelong learner and enjoy learning new things.

I think more needs to be done with high school students to get them to think about their futures and emphasize that grades matter. I hope to help them think about what they want their futures to look like and help them explore different career paths.

I left my engineering job to be a stay-at-home mom, but while in the field I had the opportunity to work on projects such as the "Star Wars" defense initiative and the Titan IV rockets. My parents were blue collar workers with no college education. Through their encouragement I went to college, and I relive that teaching is a noble profession through which I can be a positive influence and role model for other kids.


Conference Participation

Gina Johnson

My motivation to work in high needs schools comes primarily from my background. The MCPSS has been part of the mold that has shaped generations of wonderful people who have gone on to become strong, educated individuals. I am motivated by my knowledge of that need. I have been to both private and public schools, and I can see the difference that can be made for all students by teachers who care. I want to be part of that positive change.