Grant Helps VVSD Alums Prepare For Careers In Teaching

Romeoville, IL -- Two former Valley View School District 365U students who are pursuing their master’s degrees in teaching at Lewis University are the recipients of the prestigious National Science Foundation Noyce Grant.

Maham Bhatti, who attended Hermansen Elementary School and Martinez Middle School before moving to Plainfield, and Romeoville High School Class of 2012 graduate Ryan Donato, who also attended Hermansen and Martinez, are already busy preparing themselves for a career in public school districts.

The Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship program is designed for higher education institutions across the country that have a successful record in preparing math and science teachers.

“The Noyce Scholars program at Lewis is for (students) who demonstrate an excellence in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) field and are committed to teaching in high needs school districts upon completion of the program,” said Dr. Dorene Huvaere, Division Chair of Educational Studies at Lewis.

Donato, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology last May from Benedictine University, is seeking his master’s in teaching with certificates in both biology and chemistry. He hopes to be a high school biology and chemistry teacher.

“I would absolutely love to return to VVSD as an educator,” he said.

Bhatti also obtained her bachelor’s from Benedictine, majoring in biology. She graduated a year before Donato and wants to be a high school biology teacher as well.

“I have always had a passion to work with children and I love helping people,” she said, adding a return to Valley View as a teacher “would be a pleasure…the teachers I had when I went to Hermansen were so influential and it would be rewarding to be a part of that community again.”

Both Donato and Bhatti are involved in a class this semester that is taught by Dr. Lauren Rentfro, who was their principal at Hermansen before he moved on and became a professor at Lewis.

Like all Noyce Scholars, the two VVSD grads have a full slate of activities ahead of them before they graduate. They must engage in research and present at conferences. They must attend workshops focusing on STEM content and on such topics as teaching English Language Learners that will help them in their careers. They must work as instructional assistants to professors in undergrad classes.

In addition to their traditional teaching coursework, they must also spend significant time working in a “high needs” STEM classroom at one of Lewis’ 218 school district partners, including Valley View.

“I am so honored to be a Noyce Scholar,” Bahatti said. “I can’t wait to obtain the tools I need to teach in low income schools and instill STEM in my curriculum. I know this will help me become a better educator.”

Donato echoed Bahatti’s comments, adding the grant “definitely relieves the financial burden” of moving toward his dream career.

Photo: Ryan Donato

Submitted by Valley View School District