Camarillo, CA - Seven CSU Channel Islands (CI) students who plan to teach mathematics in high-need school districts each received a $10,000 scholarship funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship helps cover CI students’ expenses as they pursue their teaching credential or undergraduate degree. In order to receive the scholarship, they must commit to teaching math for two years in a high-need school district.

“So often the best teachers want to go work in the leading schools,” said Dr. Jeanne Grier, Professor of Secondary Education and NSF Noyce Grant Director at CI. “It’s wonderful to be able to offer an added financial incentive to excellent teachers who are committed to working with underprivileged students who need them the most.”

CI is pleased to congratulate the following 2012 Noyce Scholars:

Name
Academic Year
Major/Focus

Michael Adame
Senior
Liberal Studies

Danielle Hartley
Senior
Liberal Studies

Amanda Hawes
Senior
Mathematics

Amanda Mayfield
Senior
Liberal Studies

Eric Pham
Senior
Mathematics

Bethany Rogers
Senior
Mathematics

Jennifer Waters
Credential certificate student
Mathematics

CI began offering the scholarships in 2009 after receiving a five-year grant from the National Science Foundation. The scholarships are open to students of all majors who will be seeking a secondary level mathematics credential. Students are encouraged to submit an application, essay and transcript each fall.

“This scholarship saved my family and me from the heartache of adding a mountain of debt to our financial obligations,” said Noyce scholar Jennifer Waters. “I hope 30 years from now I can look back on a long career full of students whose lives I have touched and who have touched my life in return. I know I can make a difference and I’m excited for the opportunity that has been afforded to me because of the Noyce Scholarship.”

In addition to going to school full-time and student teaching, Noyce scholars work on research projects designed to enhance their skills and mathematical knowledge. Each spring, they present their projects at a Noyce conference with other CSU campuses. CI students have tackled topics ranging from using technology in math education to incorporating dance and active movement to help students work through equations.

“The scholarships allow students to concentrate on their studies and to get involved with research and community projects locally and statewide,” said Dr. Ivona Grzegorczyk, Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Program and Principal Investigator for the NSF Noyce Grant at CI. “With the acute shortage of mathematics teachers at the middle and high school levels, Noyce scholarships play an important role by providing a great incentive and support to students of various majors to meet the requirements for a mathematics teaching credential. We have already made a difference!”

For additional information, contact Dr. Ivona Grzegorczyk, Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Program, at 805-437-8868 or ivona.grzegorczyk@csuci.edu; or Dr. Jeanne Grier, Professor of Secondary Education, at 805-437-8987 or jeanne.grier@csuci.edu.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research.