Eric Lindley

Program

Master’s in teaching: Chemistry

Undergraduate major

Chemistry (I'm not an undergrad now, but didn't want to leave it out in case you need it)

Background

I grew up in Upstate NY and did my undergrad program at Colgate University. After graduating, I taught high school chemistry as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, West Africa. I then worked with an education-based nonprofit organization there for about a year. These two experiences were formative in the development of my passion for teaching, and I have not looked back since.

Why do you want to teach?

For me, teaching is something that I find really amazing because I feel that I can consistently progress and become better through my experiences. I also place an extremely high value on education and am honored to have a role in the lives of my students.

Please tell us about a memorable teaching experience and why it stands out in your mind.

I remember teaching a lesson on balancing chemical reactions and seeing it finally 'click' for some of my students. It was a really meaningful experience. It was powerful for me because I can still recall how exciting those moments of clarity and understanding were for me as a high school student.

What has the Noyce program meant to you?

The Noyce program is important to me because it allows me to collaborate with my peers and share ideas about how to make a positive impact in schools with high needs populations so that we can actively strive to reduce the educational disparities present in the public school system today.