Noyce Scholars attend mathematics conference in L.A.

Nine mathematics education students who are Noyce Scholars recently attended the National Conference of Teachers of Mathematics in Los Angeles, California. Professor of Mathematics and Noyce Scholars Program Director Dr. Valorie Zonnefeld and Professor of Education Dr. Ryan Zonnefeld, both of whom are involved in Dordt’s Noyce Scholars Program, also participated in the conference.

While at the conference, the Noyce Scholars were able to build connections, solve problems, learn from industry leaders, and more. They gained a sense of what the field of mathematics looks like outside the classroom.

“After the first day they commented on how thankful they were for their professors because they felt prepared to attend, and the speakers were reinforcing what they had learned in the classroom,” says Professor of Mathematics and Noyce Scholars Program Director Dr. Valorie Zonnefeld. “When I had my first Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics class after the conference, the discussion was so rich. They talked with me about the topic of the day more like practitioners and were excited to share things that they had learned to add to our discussion.”

There are so many highlights from the trip. “Listening to some of our heroes in math education such as Dan Meyer, Howie Hua, and Dr. Francis Su as well as talking in-person with them was huge,” she says.

It was important for students to experience professional development before graduating “so they know how to continue developing as a professional after they graduate.”

“This looks like attending a conference, but I also require them to build a Professional Learning Network (PLN) on Twitter to support their long-term professional development. Being at the conference and seeing how the speakers interacted with them in person and through Twitter reinforced the value of the PLN,” she says.

Dordt’s Noyce Scholars Program was established to encourage science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students to consider a teaching profession. Noyce Scholars receive $15,000 scholarships each year to support their progress toward teaching licensure in a STEM field. For more information about the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship, visit Dordt’s website.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. For six years in a row, Dordt has been named number one in the nation for student engagement by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.