"Student teaching in CPS was by far the best experience I have ever had in the classroom. As a suburban high school student, I had no idea what a CPS classroom would bring. Beyond being pleasantly shocked at the supplies and equipment the school had, I was happily taken surprised at the school atmosphere and its students.

When the students enter the school they know that they are safe, and that the teachers care for them and want the best for them. The atmosphere in the school is filled with trust and respect. I taught some of the most respectful students I had encountered up to that point.

I did have hard days, exhaustive days. But, I will never forget the day the students were doing a lab. One student turn to me with a surprised and happy look on his face and exclaim, "Cool!" Apparently he liked the experiment we were performing that day.

Of course this will happen classrooms outside of CPS. However, the atmosphere and students at CPS are unique and the experience is well worth your time and abilities as a student teacher."

Audrey Kimbrell, '08 Chemistry
Student teacher in Benito Juarez High School, Fall '08

About the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers. The program provides funds to institutions of higher education to support scholarships, stipends, and programs for students who commit to teaching in high-need K-12 school districts.

The program offered through Illinois State University is funded for four years by the National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program. The project is a joint effort of the Chicago Public Schools and Illinois State University's College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences.

While the shortage of Illinois State Univeristy STEM teachers is great, the shortage of STEM teachers is particularly acute for minority teachers. Minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for Noyce support.