NSF Awards: 1758474
This video highlights the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program at Molloy College and strategies to address the critical need for preparing highly effective secondary teachers. The major goals of the Noyce Ambassadors Program are to create a greater interest on campus for STEM education and to provide the academic and financial supports to potential teaching candidates. The program works in partnership with local community colleges and offers a boot camp as well as a one-on-one summer mentoring internship with master STEM teachers from local high needs schools.
Linda Kraemer
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
So proud to be a part of this amazing program! These future teachers are going to be incredible!
Francine Wisnewski
KATHERINE M PATTERSON
It’s great to see you all in action! We’re so proud of you! Shine on, Molloy College Noyce Ambassadors
Francine Wisnewski
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thank you, Dr. Patterson! We appreciate all of you support. Please help us keep the conversation going...what instructional skills do you believe teacher candidates need most in today's world?
Francine Wisnewski
KATHERINE M PATTERSON
That's a great question, Dr. Cohan! Today's educators wear several hats. While many might say tech-savvy is essential, and I'd agree, I believe that one of the most critical things teacher candidates can do is “hold a space” within instruction for authentic conversations with their students. In fostering conversations among youngsters, we allow them to question and contribute to expanding their learning. In turn, this teaches youngsters to enter learning with an openness to truly hear opposing views and new ideas. Those new ideas may inspire them to the innovative practices needed in our world today and beyond.
Francine Wisnewski
Linda Kraemer
Francine Wisnewski
Very well said, Dr. Patterson. There is so much good that could come from a conversation. As students discuss and question the content presented to them, they will build learn about each other and build positive relationships with each other and their teachers. Positive relationships are the hallmark of an effective education!
Deborah Waldron
Well done!
Francine Wisnewski
Ciara Dempsey
Well done!
Francine Wisnewski
Paige Evans
Hi Linda! Congratulations on this successful Noyce project!
Francine Wisnewski
Linda Kraemer
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
Thanks! We have been fortunate to work with such a unique, diverse set of students. I can't wait to see the impact they'll have on their future students!
Francine Wisnewski
K. Renae Pullen
Science Specialist
This is such an amazing opportunity for future STEM teachers! I'm really interest in learning more about some of the strategies you place in your future teachers' toolboxes.
Francine Wisnewski
Linda Kraemer
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
Our program emphasizes practical experiences in high needs schools. Within our courses, these future teachers focus on differentiation of instruction as the tool to meet the needs of a diverse set of learners. A large focus on literacy across all subject areas rounds out their skillset.
Francine Wisnewski
K. Renae Pullen
K. Renae Pullen
Science Specialist
That's amazing. Love you have a big focus on literacy. Thanks for the response.
Francine Wisnewski
Amy Gaimaro
This is such a wonderful program! The Noyce Ambassadors Program provides opportunities for our Molloy future STEM Teachers to shine in the classroom!
Francine Wisnewski
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thank you! Our Noyce Ambassadors participate in a 60-hour paid summer internship at Molloy's field station. The Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Ocean Monitoring (CERCOM) offers opportunities for scientific research and hands-on fieldwork. Our Ambassadors interact with a Master teacher on a one-on-one basis and this collaboration helps the students become prepared for effective lesson planning. There is a focus on standards within one of three disciplines (math, biology, and earth science). Situated on the Great South Bay in New York, the Center also runs a Horseshoe Crab breeding program. The goal of the summer internship is to meet the needs of adolescents in high needs schools. Best strategies for teaching diverse students are presented each summer. These strategies include making lessons comprehensible and engaging, understanding diverse learning preferences, methods to accelerate learning, and creating motivating student-centered activities. In addition, a workshop is given each year on best strategies for multilingual learners. Noyce Ambassadors meet in a small group on a monthly basis with the principal investigator (PI).
Francine Wisnewski
K. Renae Pullen
Brian Foley
Professor
This is a great opportunity for future teachers. I like how they are not just practicing science but thinking about how to use these experiences in their classroom.
Is this something that future Noyce Scholars will be able to build on?
Francine Wisnewski
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thank you for your comment! We hope that we have engaged our students so that they internalize what they have learned and build on their knowledge and skills as in-service teachers.
Ann Cavallo
Assistant Vice Provost and Director
Thank you for this presentation. How are you measuring the goals of the program? If I understand correctly, the boot camp works to to enhance science and math content learning/research skill development and teaching/pedagogical skill. There was also mention of recruitment into teaching. Do you have any findings yet (I know it may be a new project). Thanks again it looks like a great program!
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Hi Ann, These are great questions. 1. We are measuring the goals of the program in typical ways: # of graduates; # of awards as compared to target; # of community college transfers; # of bilingual and underrepresented students; # of first-gen students; GPAs upon graduation; field experiences; passing of certification exams etc. This year we also surveyed all professors (education, gen ed., major) who had a Noyce Ambassador in their class.
2. Your description of the boot camp is perfect! The boot camp gives prospective teachers an opportunity to "see' what the teaching profession can be like and the types of pedagogical activities available at the secondary level. This is very compelling for students who may have never considered teaching as a career. We would like more of our boot campers to become Noyce Ambassadors.
Francine Wisnewski
Ann Cavallo
Ann Cavallo
Assistant Vice Provost and Director
Thanks! I love your engagement of students in research and the boot camps - I expect you are finding/will find great results!
Francine Wisnewski
Jessica Schor
Incredible to see this meaningful program for future STEM educators in action at Molloy!
Francine Wisnewski
Barbara Schmidt
Thank you all for the great work that is being done to foster engaged, diverse learning experiences!
Francine Wisnewski
Linda Kraemer
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
Thanks to everyone at for all the support to make it happen!
Francine Wisnewski
Michelle Piskulich
Congratulations to everyone involved in this program!
Francine Wisnewski
Linda Kraemer
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
The incredible collaboration among the math, science, and education programs, along with Audrey at the helm, are what make this program work. The students, however, are who make it remarkable!
Francine Wisnewski
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thanks, Linda. Your oversight as associate dean and interaction with the students on a daily basis is invaluable.
Francine Wisnewski
Madeline Craig
Having had the opportunity to work with almost all of the NOYCE ambassadors in the video, I can say the future looks bright! These teacher candidates are building the skills to successfully teach diverse 21st century learners.
Francine Wisnewski
Linda Kraemer
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Education Programs
You and the rest of our faculty are impacting thousands of students through your work with these future teachers!
Francine Wisnewski
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thank you for your ongoing support, Dr. Craig!
Francine Wisnewski
Li Li
What a wonderful program of building quality future educators! Well done, the PIs and the ambassadors!
Francine Wisnewski
Vicky Giouroukakis
Congratulations on the Noyce Program! Thank you for supporting our future STEM educators and equipping them with the tools they need to effectively teach diverse learners!
Francine Wisnewski
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Linda and I appreciate the enthusiasm from our colleagues. This video is a great way to share information about our Noyce Ambassadors Program.
Francine Wisnewski
Francine Wisnewski
I am truly honored to work with Molloy's outstanding faculty and administration to offer meaningful experiences to our Noyce Ambassadors. Our Noyce Ambassadors are truly some of the most talented, engaged, and enthusiastic students with which I have had the pleasure to work.
Facilitating the boot camp with Jodi Evans is an amazing experience. Students get a little bit of everything they need as they enter the program and transition to the field. From research skills to teaching strategies, boot campers experience it all!
Perhaps one of my fondest memories is when Noyce Ambassadors volunteered their time to offer STEM challenges to local elementary students at a STEM Night for students and their families. Our Noyce Ambassadors planned and presented STEM challenges. They engaged with students encouraging them and challenging them as they acted as the guide on the side for students as they attempted to meet the challenges presented. Our Noyce Ambassadors have many opportunities to learn the skills needed to be effective teachers and positively impact their future students.
I have worked with many of our Noyce Ambassadors and can honestly say they are thoughtful, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Their future students will benefit from their expertise and dedication to building strong, positive relationships with their students.
Kelly Costner
I'm impressed by the relationship with CERCOM--such a great resource to have as part of your institution. I'm also wondering: Do the Ambassadors engage (as part of the Noyce project) with CERCOM beyond the paid summer internship?
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thank you for your interest in our program. Yes, the Noyce Ambassadors engage in activities (some are course related) at CERCOM since several are earth science majors. The students who attend the boot camp take a boat ride there as part of their experience and we hold science events there as well.
Audrey Cohan
Professor/ Senior Dean of Research and Scholarship
Thank you, Dr. Wisnewski!!! We are so privileged to have you as part of the Noyce team!
Francine Wisnewski
Dr. Tanacredi
As a facutly member in the Earth and Environmental Sciences and Director of CERCOM, I want to share these links for further inquiry.
https://www.molloy.edu/academics/undergraduate-...
https://www.molloy.edu/academics/undergraduate-...