University of Northern Illinois Science teaching experience and practice for the first cycle participants (STEPUP) organized his third and the largest cohort of students in January.
Stepup is one of Niu’s main recruitment points for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Professor’s scholarship Robert Noyce. Noyce scholars receive funding for two years, up to the cost of frequenting NIU, for the references to be taught at secondary level.
Scientific majors, including Huskies entering their junior year and transferred students with at least 60 hours of credit, can Ask for a Noyce scholarship. Eligible students will receive up to $ 25,000 in annual financing, capped at $ 50,000, to obtain their secondary education permit as an additional accent their scientific major. Those who have already obtained a science diploma can request a year of funding.
“The Stepup program is for the undergraduate students who thought of teaching, but who may never have the opportunity to try it,” said Paul Fix, director of the secondary school educator. “It is for the students who helped their roommates in their duties, or taught their young brothers and sisters, and have had a taste of teaching but do not know if it is the right career for them.”
For the Stepup program this year from January 5 to 10, Niu invited a dozen students to explore the biology of teaching or chemistry and integrated physics with the teachers of Dekalb High School. Participants accepted in the immersive camp style program received an allowance of $ 600, free accommodation and hotel meals on the Niu campus. The cohort observed a total of five educators, against three last year. After obtaining assistance guided by license teachers from the NIU science educator, preparing course plans and job observation teachers in DHS, students taught for two days. The week culminated with graduates with take -out dishes to the group.
Pathway to Noyce Stock Exchange
Alexandra Cano, a Junior of the Niu of Walworth, Wisconsin, specialized in biology with a minor in chemistry, says that she was intimidated by the idea of Stepup and shared nerves with her cohort. But on the first day, she felt welcomed and supported by her peers and her Niu staff. Today, she has more confidence in asking questions in class or attending office hours, because she understands better how her own teachers want her to succeed.
“Stepup has shown and really allowed me to feel an interest that I have really appreciated, live and have an overview of what it would be to participate in the teaching profession,” said Cano. “This program was very fun. I was able to make new friends, interact with students and learn more about the education system and myself. ”
Complete Stepup gives students a clearer image to know if the teaching is part of their objectives. If they undertake to continue their license as a secondary educator, they often ask for the Noyce scholarship. Graduates must teach at least two years in secondary schools in the School District in needles for each year of funding they have received. Because the program is nationally, the elders have endless options for local and distant jobs. They are also eight years old by obtaining their license to meet the teaching requirements in a breathtaking district.
Dakota Lohman teaches Dekalb high school.
At the time when Dakota Lohman, a transfer from Naperville, in Illinois, graduated from the College of Dupage in 2022, he feared that he could not allow himself to continue his studies. This changed the following year, as he applied to Niu and learned the Noyce scholarship. He participated in Stepup last year. Next year, he plans to obtain his niu diploma with a BS in environmental studies, as well as something on which he had not always planned – a teaching license.
“After the completion of the Stepup program, I was sure of my desire to continue teaching as a diploma, career and call. Overall, Stepup provided me with a personal experience in a high school class which strengthened my desire to teach and helped to turn it on to others, “said Lohman. “The receipt of the Noyce stock market has indeed guaranteed that I can allow myself to achieve my academic objectives in Niu.
Partnership with Waubonsee
In addition to the STEPUP program and candidates for Noyce scholarship holders who are current of majors or transfers of niu sciences, the institution has developed an established pipeline of learners through the Waubonsee Community College. Noyce scholars in Waubonsee can receive a reimbursement of tuition fees to work as an additional instructor at the community college. They then receive the priority acceptance of the Stepup of Niu program and are able to request two years of funding from Noyce to complete their baccalaureate and their license.
Henry Granholm Teaching at Dekalb High School.
Henry Granholm de Montgomery, Illinois, follows such a path. He intends to attend Niu as an adult in environmental studies and winning his teaching license after obtaining his Waubonsee diploma in May. He is delighted to transfer and meet other budding scientific educators, and says that the choice of a teacher career “will have an impact on more lives than you can even believe.”
“Noyce allowed me to focus on my studies and my interests as a student, without fear of having debt. Stepup introduced me to the wonderful people of Niu in charge of their Noyce scholarship, like Paul Fix, “said Granholm. “In addition, Stepup provided me with an incredible experience of what it will be to be a teacher. I improved my programs drafting capacity, I learned to work in collaboration with other “teachers” and I was able to teach high school. “
The Noyce subsidy of $ 1.4 million dollars was funded by the NSF from 2022 to 2027. Nicole Ladue, Ph.D., Associate Director of secondary science educators, license and associate professor of the Department of Earth, atmosphere and the Environment, was the principal researcher (PI) on the subsidy. The NIU co-PIS have included Fix, as well as Mike Eads, PH.D., Director of the granting of secondary licenses and associate professor of the Department of Physics, and Daryl Dugas, Ph.D., Associate Professor for the Department of Leadership, the psychology of education and the foundations which serves as mentor for the transition of Helce Noyce in the profession.
Cassie Sherretz, Ed.d., Academic support manager at the Waubonsee Community College, has collaborated in the fourth co-cop on the grant. Based on the critical needs satisfied by the success of the Noyce scholarship and the Stepup program program, both university levels and community colleges, Fix hopes that the team will be replicated for the subsidy with Waubonsee for another five years.
A plan for teacher shortages
Relations with program staff, practitioners and peers have made the difference for Gaby Rivera, a junior from the Niu d’Aurora, Illinois, with a specialization in biology, who took double credit courses in Waubonsee before becoming a Huskie. Rivera says that their time with veteran teachers from the DHS, close friendships with other STEPUP participants and the Niu staff mentoring were “invaluable and enriching” and “helped confirm that I was indeed supposed to be a teacher”.
“Noyce and Stepup are incredible programs that have greatly contributed to my success here to Niu and beyond. Stepup is really one of the best opportunities for “first overview” that I could have asked for before entering my clinical observations thanks to the license program, “said Rivera. “Once accepted in the license program, Noyce was really the cherry at the top that made my academic way beyond development. Aside from the extremely generous scholarship which is nothing less than the blessing as a person who comes from a low -income and first generation family, the community which is built by Noyce is a life in Percent. “
Fix says that Niu is considered an example for the large number of researchers produced by its subsidy funds from the National Science Foundation. After an initial cohort of four students who started in 2022 and graduated in 2024, NIU figures are up to 13 students from Noyce scholarships. Seven will graduate this year, the other six ending their first year.
Since there are too few scientific educators in high school in Illinois and the United States, each graduate of Noyce means a less vacant non-filled teaching position.
“STEM teachers are in great demand, incredibly at high demand, and unfortunately, the state schools do not make it enough. Recruitment is in everyone’s mind across the country, ”said Fix. “This fall, Niu is waiting for our greatest cohort in almost a decade for the scientific license program. Noyce works! “
Niu’s inheritance as a college founded for the first time in 1899 to train teachers is clearly obvious today, given the extent of the institution of more than three dozen Educators license programs. In addition to natural science programs, including biology, chemistry, land and space, environmental sciences and physics, a license of additional professional educators from Illinois programs The college of liberal arts and sciences for teaching preparation at the levels of kindergarten to 12th year includes English, history and social sciences, mathematics and world languages.
For more information on Niu License program of secondary science educators and assistance available for undergraduate student candidates, visit the Noyce scholarship Question page frequently askedor contact Paul Fix at 815-753-6819 or pfix@niu.edu.