Erica Knorpp
NKSP Cohort 1
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology and Middle School Science
As an undergraduate, I worked for Entomology Outreach at the University of Kentucky. In this position, I taught the public about insects through social media and in-person events. This position opened the doors for my internship with the Kentucky Forest Leadership Program, where I helped high school students identify and collect insects. Combined with my experience as a Teaching Assistant for General Entomology, this ignited my passion for teaching science. I graduated from UK in August, and I’m returning back home to Louisville for my MAT.
Graduation Date: May 2024
Current Employment Status: Middle School Science Teacher at Bowling Green Junior High (Bowling Green Independent Schools District)
Employment Start Date: August 2023
Stephen Lorenz
NKSP Cohort 1
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Physics
Before starting the MAT program my only teaching experience was volunteering to give a Gravity Well demonstration to Physics students at DuPont Manual High School and volunteering to teach Shaolin Do martial arts to kids. I completed my Bachelors in Physics in May 2022 and was thinking and praying for direction for my future, when Dr. Mahmood talked to me about the Noyce Knight's Scholars Program (NKSP), which would pay ME to become a STEM teacher. I believe that was GOD telling me that He wanted me to teach (something I knew I liked doing), so I applied, got in to the MAT program and NKSP, and have really enjoyed the program thus far! I believe I am where I am supposed to be.
Graduation Date: May 2024
Current Employment Status: High School Physics Teacher at DeSales High School (Archdiocese of Louisville Catholic Schools)
Employment Start Date: August 2023
Will Baxter
NKSP Cohort 1
Certification Pathway: Secondary Education - Math
Area of interest: High School Mathematics
I'm Will Baxter. I'm from Louisville, KY, and have lived here my whole life. I've known I've wanted to be a teacher since my freshman year of high school. I've always enjoyed math, but my 6th and 7th grade math teacher really sparked my interest in the subject; she was a very effective teacher. My mom and uncle both work for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), and my grandmother retired from JCPS after working in the VanHoose Center for some time. I'm a math tutor here at Bellarmine, which has given a lot of practice with teaching math to people. During my sophomore year of college, I received the John Van de Walle Scholarship, which is annually awarded to one junior and one senior who are studying math and enjoy teaching it to others. I hope to be an effective teacher for future generations!
Graduation Date: May 2024
Current Employment Status: High School Math Teacher at Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County Public Schools District)
Employment Start Date: August 2024
Divya Joseph
NKSP Cohort 2
Certification Pathway: Early Entry Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology
Hello! My name is Divya Joseph. I am originally from India, but was born in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). I moved to Louisville when I was 3 year’s old and haven’t moved since! I have been interested in teaching ever since I started watching my father teach Physics as a teacher in high school and as a professor in college. I fell in love with the kindness and understanding he showed to his students and I would like to be a role model for students at their early ages. I have been on the Dean’s list for a couple semesters. I serve as a Senior Rep. in SGA; I am a Bellarmine Society Member, Service Event Coordinator for AAASU, and has been the captain of the Multicultural Dance Group that I started 4 years ago at Bellarmine. I have worked at the Tutoring Venter for about 3 years and as a Knights of Color Mentor for the past 4 years. I have done an internship in STEM Education through Bellarmine’s Noyce Knights Scholars Program at the Kentucky Science Center in summer 2023.
Sandra Bojić
NKSP Cohort 2
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology
I immigrated to the US from Bosnia and Herzegovina with my parents and brother in 1998. I grew up in the greater Nashville area but have called Kentucky my sweet and dear home since 2020. Currently, I’m an Environmental Biologist for the state of Kentucky doing biomonitoring of the state’s streams, rivers, and lakes. Before this, I spent time working as a naturalist, where I lead environmental education programs, and as a college Biology lab instructor, where I first felt the joys (and challenges) of immersive science teaching. I’m deeply passionate about the environment and science education, and I believe whole-heartedly in culturally responsive teaching; I look forward to learning practices that best serve all students in JCPS and beyond.
Date of MAT Graduation: May 2024
Current Employment Status: High School Biology Teacher at Southern High School (Under Alt. Cert.)
Nichole Diaz
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: Early Entry Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology
I have always been enthusiastic about science from a young age. I was raised in Shelbyville KY, and my parents both have fantastic careers in the STEM field. I went to Shelby County Public Schools from K-12, and my passion for science flew from there. I have had amazing teachers and I have always wanted to be as passionate as they were at their job. When I came to Bellarmine, I knew that I wanted to become a scientist and maybe even an educator. During the summer of my sophomore year, I worked as an Educator at the Kentucky Science Center and volunteered as an English tutor for the Backside Learning Center. Working for the Kentucky Science Center, I got to experience different levels of teaching. From toddlers to adults, getting excited over liquid Nitrogen demonstrations or just discussing how to say experiment in English became fulfilling to me. In the summer of my Junior year, I was got an internship through the Bellarmine University’s Noyce Knights Scholars Program where I continued working with the Kentucky Science Center with their summer Science Camp. These hands-on and practical experiences have shaped how I view teaching, from being interested in the idea to now being one hundred percent all in for it to be my lifelong career.
Celeste Huddleston
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: Early Entry Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Chemistry
Hello! My name is Celeste Huddleston, and I am from Seymour, Indiana. I have discovered my passion for educating others through chemistry demonstrations with the Bellarmine Chemistry Club. I previously served as the club's secretary and am currently the vice president. My professors encouraged me to pursue the Noyce program after I expressed my interest in teaching, for which I cannot thank them enough. This summer, I had the opportunity to work as an intern for the Kentucky Science Center, where I engaged with campers who taught me just as much as I taught them. It was inspiring to witness the passion developing in the campers, which further solidified my decision to pursue a teaching career.
Tyler Davis
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology
KaBoom! Although often a cartoon sound used to depict the sound of science, for me it is more than that. My passion and enthusiasm for science started in high school when my biology teacher created a positive learning environment. The environment she fostered encouraged me to not only love the material, but to strive to have that same impact on students. When I attended Bellarmine University for my Bachelors in Biology, I worked alongside Darryl Woodson to create BU Showcase, which is an organization at Bellarmine that encourages and promotes individuals to show off their creative art from dance, art, music, etc…In the Summer of 2024, I worked at the Kentucky Science Center as an intern where I had the opportunity to see how a science classroom was led, and was able to lead my own lessons. As I enter into the Noyce Knight Scholars Program, I am excited to learn more so then one day I can be just as impactful as my high school teacher, BU Showcase, and the Kentucky Science Center was for me.
Caroline Schuhmann
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: BS in Secondary Education & BA in Mathematics
Area of interest: High School Mathematics
Hi, my name is Caroline Schuhmann, and I am from Louisville, KY! I have been surrounded by influential educators all my life as my mother, grandfather, and great-grandmother all served as teachers as well. With this, my interest in teaching started at an early age. This interest was truly sparked during my junior and senior years at Assumption High School. The support I felt from my teacher during my challenging mathematics courses was unwavering and was exactly what I needed to excel as well as grow my love of math. I want to provide this level of support for future students, both inside and outside of the classroom. At Bellarmine, I have served in leadership roles such as the School of Education Student Advisory Board, Week of Welcome Orientation Team, and the Knight Life Chair of the Bellarmine Activities Council. I am excited to join the Noyce Knights Scholars Program to develop my interest and skills further!
Lilly Ruzanka
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: BS in Secondary Education & BA in Mathematics
Area of interest: High School Mathematics
Hello! My name is Lilly Ruzanka and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I have wanted to teach for as long as I can remember. I’ve always enjoyed school, but specifically started to love math in the sixth grade. During my freshman year of high school at Mercy Academy, my math teacher became one of my biggest role models. His teaching style inspired me to pursue a career of high school education and encouraged me to become a mathematics educator. My past two years at Bellarmine have been incredible. I have had the opportunity to be on the Bellarmine University Dance Team, a Bellarmine Ambassador, a KnightU Orientation Leader, a Week of Welcome Team Member, a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Representative, and a member of the Student Advisory Board for the School of Education. On top of a busy schedule, I have maintained a GPA to qualify for the Dean’s List during all four of my semesters at Bellarmine. I am incredibly excited to start my journey as a Noyce Knight and cannot wait for the new opportunities that will come with it!
Brian Perkins
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Mathematics
I am excited to continue my education in teaching. I have had a strong interest in mathematics and science since my college days. Having a strong background in math is essential for all the STEM fields. When my son went to college for engineering, it renewed my desire to teach and tutor others in mathematics. I have worked as a math and physics tutor for over a year. And I have classroom experience as an employee with University Instructors, teaching 9th graders about physics this year. I am originally from Detroit, MI but I have lived here in Louisville, KY for the last 15 years.
Dirk Gowan
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: Middle School Mathematics and High School Physics
After a 30 career year in civil engineering, I am seeking to fill the need for mathematics teachers. I hope to leverage my engineering education, work experience, and my love of math to prepare middle schoolers for high school and beyond. Middle school is a critical juncture when a love of math must be encouraged, and a fear of math must be overcome. I am originally from Missouri and moved to Louisville near the end of 1998.
Shelby Shackelford
NKSP Cohort 3
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology
Hi, my name is Shelby Shackelford. I’m from Crestwood, KY, which is 30 minutes outside of Louisville. I have a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife & Conservation Biology from Murray State University. When I was younger, I always said I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. In high school, I took AP Environmental Science and developed a passion for conservation. This led me to getting my degree in wildlife biology. In my degree program, I learned about how important education and outreach are in advancing conservation efforts. The past three summers, I worked at the Kentucky Science Center in their School’s Out Science Camp. I had the opportunity to teach kids from Pre-K to 8th grade about STEM and show them that learning can be collaborative and fun! This experience is how I found out about Bellarmine’s MAT program and influenced me to pursue a career as a formal educator.
Jeremy Giffen
NKSP Cohort 4
Certification Pathway: Master of Arts in Teaching
Area of interest: High School Biology
I am Jeremy Giffen from Crestwood, Kentucky. I am currently a Math major with an Economics minor. My interest in teaching is to eventually teach at a college level. The Noyce Scholarship allows me to gain experience in teaching, and to acquire a Master of Arts in Teaching. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 4.04 GPA in high school. I also earned my Eagle Scout rank at the age of 15 and gained some experience mentoring and teaching younger scouts. I appreciate the opportunity Bellarmine has given me to pursue my career.