Robert Noyce Scholarship Program

Meet Noyce Scholar Kateta Tagliavento

Name: Kateta Tagliavento

Grew up in: Republic of Kiribati (A Micronesian Country in the Central Pacific)

Currently Pursuing: Masters of Arts in Teaching

Certifications: Mathematics

Level of teaching: High School

What professor has been influential in your life? Professor Callahan has been the most influential in my life since he was the one who made me fall in love with teaching mathematics.

Tell us a bit about your decision to pursue a career in math education? I love math, but I never saw myself teaching it until I had Professor Callahan in my first undergraduate Math class at California State University, East Bay. I was impressed by his teaching style. He engaged students to be interactive, encouraged student group participation in the solution to the problems, and provided the appropriate guidance and leadership to the team without taking ownership of the solution.

Professor Callahan’s teaching style is simple, yet effective. He would always step back from the board after writing a problem and then ask us about information revealed in the problem. From there we would work on the solution with the facts and formulas we knew. He would sit with us and guide the discussion and the problem solving session, but was careful not to impose his solutions. He left that to his students to accomplish. Observing him doing the same thing every day in class helped me realized that teaching math, which is often a very difficult subject for students to understand, can be easy and effective when teachers employ the right learning tools for their students. I personally believe that Callahan’s instructional strategies of always putting himself in the students’ shoes by sitting and thinking with us were very effective in teaching math.

My voluntary student teaching practicum at Pittsburg High School in San Francisco, CA.  further established my interest in teaching Math.

Why Seattle Pacific University? The school's vision, “Engaging the Culture, Changing the World,” is the first thing that caught my attention when I was looking for schools online. I believe that the vision is a very powerful statement for any educator, but more so for me since engagement in learning and holding on to my own I-Kiribati identity are primarily the most important things in my life. I look forward to graduating from the program and working with younger students who come from various cultural backgrounds, and I hope to expand and enrich their world through education, while encouraging them to retain their cultures. The other thing I love about SPU is that the whole school appreciates cultural, religious and individual diversity. I grew up in a place where culture is very important.  In many ways, our I-Kiribati culture is who we are and is always a part of our life. Thus, with SPU’s appreciation for diversity, I know it is the right place for me!

What has been your greatest challenge this past year? I love school with all my heart. My appreciation for higher education grew out of the fact that it is something rarely afforded to people in my country. Being accepted to the Masters program at SPU and receiving the Robert Noyce Scholarship has been an honor and a gift, yet at the same time, it has also been the greatest challenge for me since great expectations come with this honor. I know I am very lucky to be in the position I am in and I couldn’t think of anything better than being in my teaching program, funded by the Noyce scholarship. 

What are you most excited to be offering to your students? I am most excited to share with my students my passion for learning and understanding Mathematics. Ultimately, I hope to open doors of opportunity for them through math. I believe that education is for everyone and it does not matter about one’s skin color, family background, or even migrant status in this country. I will support and encourage my students in their pursuit of knowledge.

What experiences are you currently looking forward to in this coming year? There are many things I am looking forward to this coming year. First, I am looking forward to being in my own classroom with my own students. I am looking forward to learning more about Math and Science teaching through the many Noyce workshops and conferences that accompany this scholarship. Last, but definitely not the least, I am looking forward to meeting and networking with other Noyce scholars and staff members from around the nation.

Anything you would say to someone considering applying for a Noyce scholarship? I would tell him/her to do it! Make use of the opportunity not only by doing well in class, but also to commit to the scholarship by attending its meetings and trips. 

Make friends and stay in touch with other Noyce scholars and staff members. There is so much potential for personal and professional growth within the program and by committing to the program, you will not only help yourself, but also the greater cause of bringing better opportunities to others across the nation.