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Loyola School of Education STEM scholar working in a lab

Noyce Scholars

Noyce Scholars Program

Be a part of redefining science and math education in Chicago Public Schools—while earning financial support.

The LUC-Noyce Scholars program aims to prepare a diverse and talented group of science and math teachers who can make a positive difference in the lives and education of high school students in high-need schools and districts. Loyola students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in secondary education can earn up to $40,000 for working to solve the nation’s shortage of qualified and dedicated math and science educators.

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If you are interested in joining the Loyola School of Education Noyce Scholars Program
A group of students work together.
Research Experience

Summer Research Internships for Teacher Candidates

Ten students will be selected to work alongside a Loyola faculty lab for a paid summer internship that focuses on biodiversity in an urban setting. The loss of biodiversity is one of the biggest challenges of our time and thus biodiversity science is one of the fastest growing and most integrative fields in all of science and incorporates questions and methodologies from a range of disciplines including biology, chemistry, geology, computer science, math, and statistics.

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About the Summer 2024 STEM Innovation Teacher Project
 LEVEL UP: TAKING YOUR SCIENCE TEACHING PRACTICE TO NEW HEIGHT LED BY LOYOLA PROFESSORS DR. LARA SMETANA AND DR. MEGAN LEIDER

Learn More

Check out videos from Noyce Scholars and Fellows to learn more about the great work being done and hear their stories!

Appointments and Events

The School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better. LEARN MORE.

Meet your Noyce Project Team

Lara Smetana, Science Education

Julie Jacobi, Center for Science & Math Education

Mary Beth Talbot, Center for Science & Math Education

Eric Chang, Mathematics

Michael Grillo, Biology

Sandra Helquist, Chemistry

Tania Schulser, School of Environmental Sustainability

Megan Leider, LUC-Noyce Mentoring Program

Krishna Millsapp, LUC-Noyce Mentoring Program

Kayla Cherry, STEM Coach

Saswati Koya, STEM Coach

LUC Noyce Scholar Alumni Profile

Meet Adam Davenport and Audrey Brinkers and learn how they're making a difference in Chicago Public Schools. Click to read the full interviews:

Scholarship Details

One Year
Two Years

Tuition support: up to $35,000

Obligated years of service: two years

Tuition Support: up to $20,000/year ($40,000 total)

Obligated years of service: four years

 

Service Obligation

In exchange for each year of financial support, Noyce Scholars are obligated to teach in an eligible high-need school district in the United States. The LUC-Noyce Scholars program works to help scholars identify schools where they can offer the most impact and find the best preparation for their future careers. If the service obligation is not fully completed, the balance of financial support will be treated as a loan the student must repay.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) defines a high-need school district as one that meets at least one of the following criteria in each of the sections A and B below:

A high-need school district is one that meets at least one of the following criteria in each of the sections A and B below:

A)

i. not less than 20% of the children served by the agency are from low-income families;

ii. serves at least 10,000 children from low-income families;

iii. is eligible for funding under the Small, Rural School Achievement Program under 20 U.S.C. 7345(b); or

iv. is eligible for funding under the Rural and Low-Income School Program under 20 U.S.C. 7351(b);

and

B)

i. has a high percentage of teachers not teaching in the academic subject areas or grade levels in which the teachers were trained to teach; or

ii. has a high teacher turnover rate or a high percentage of teachers with emergency, provisional, or temporary certification or licensure

$35,000

One Year Tuition Support

$40,000

Two Years Tuition Support

Meet the Noyce Scholars

Noyce Scholar Olivia Doe.
Class of 2023

Olivia Doe

Doe earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She teaches biology and chemistry at Lake View High School. The flexibility and immersive nature of Loyola’s secondary education program have allowed Doe to flourish as an educator. Doe’s favorite thing about teaching is helping her students to remove the mystery from everyday objects.

Noyce Scholar Abigail Letts.
Class of 2022

Abigail Letts

Letts earned a Master of Education in Secondary Mathematics. She currently serves as a high school mathematics teacher at John Hancock College Preparatory High School. Along with teaching, she is also a cross-country and track coach. She connects her previous work in data analytics to her role as a teacher by incorporating data in the classroom to use as a means of bettering her skills.

Noyce Scholar Samantha Miller.
Class of 2023

Samantha Miller

Miller earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She teaches mathematics at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Miller loves seeing students have epiphanies as they figure out concepts that are challenging to them. Thanks, in part, to her Loyola education, Miller values engagement with and service to her students. She hopes to inspire the next generation of mathematicians.

Noyce Scholar Leah Peitzman.
Class of 2022

Leah Peitzman

Peitzmann earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She currently teaches honors chemistry and physics at John Hancock College Preparatory High School. Peitzmann has embodied the Jesuit value of cura personalis in her work as she deeply cares for each of her students and enjoys incorporating their lives into her instruction.

Noyce Scholar Niki Safakas.
Class of 2022

Niki Safakas

Safakas earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. She teaches chemistry at William Howard Taft High School. In line with Loyola’s Jesuit values, Safakas treasures engaging and connecting with her students. Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with her students and watching as they grow throughout the year.

Noyce Scholar Nicholas Stochmal.
Class of 2021

Nicholas Stochmal

Stochmal earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. He currently teaches chemistry and physics at Wells High School. Stochmal’s time at Loyola taught him the importance of creativity and innovation in all academic endeavors. His favorite thing about teaching is helping his students to connect their interests with class material as it creates a more engaging and motivating experience for learners.

Noyce Scholar Matt Zator.
Class of 2022

Matt Zator

Zator earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education. Zator currently teaches anatomy and physiology at Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School. As Loyola hopes for all of its students, Zator values curiosity, innovation, and creativity. He enjoys showing his students how lessons in the classroom connect to the world around them.

Scholars Not Pictured

  • Katarina Alvarado
  • Aaman Arshad
  • Kate Bove
  • Audrey Brinkers
  • Antonio Castillo
  • Scarlet Chan
  • Cassandra Cowperthwaite
  • Adam Davenport
  • Emily Dennis
  • Isabella DiPaolo
  • Dennis Fisher
  • Alyssa Hoffman
  • Shannon Le
  • Maksymilian Malec
  • Valerie Nevarez
  • Trang Nguyen
  • Matea Nikolic
  • Kemunto Ondande
  • Emily Petersen
  • Joseph Remeika
  • Brianne Saab
  • Sarah Wohler

Questions?

Please contact: noycescholars@LUC.edu

Interested in Applying?

Want to learn more about eligibility and application requirements? Visit our Apply page!

Midwest Conference 2023

Learn More

Check out videos from Noyce Scholars and Fellows to learn more about the great work being done and hear their stories!

Appointments and Events

The School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better. LEARN MORE.

Questions?

Please contact: noycescholars@LUC.edu

Interested in Applying?

Want to learn more about eligibility and application requirements? Visit our Apply page!