STUDENT CLOSE-UP

On the Plus Side

By Brian McNeill

It wasn’t the three R’s, but rather the three T’s — teens, teaching and trigonometry — that led Tom Meyer to the University of Missouri-Columbia’s College of Education.

A sophomore from Kansas City, Mo., Meyer says he decided early in high school to pursue a career as a high school math teacher. He credits two math teachers, Ms. Henderson and Mrs. Warren, as having a strong influence in his choice of careers. “They made learning math fun,” he says. “They really enjoy teaching, and it showed. Their enthusiasm inspired me to be a teacher.”

Meyer chose to continue his education at MU because an older sister went to school there, and he wanted to stay in Missouri. “Other important reasons are that I really like this campus,” he says. “It’s large enough that there are plenty of opportunities to meet people and gain more experiences.”

Working with teens is one of Meyer’s strongest interests. He currently leads the Young Life youth group in Jefferson City. Young Life is a nondenominational Christian outreach group that spreads the gospel. He was involved with the group in high school.

Meyer also is a peer adviser at Schurz Hall and has led orientation classes to help freshmen adjust to life at the University and to learn more about opportunities at the College of Education. In addition to classes, he also plans social and recreational activities for the students who live on his floor.

Another of Meyer’s interests is math. “I have a good understanding of it,” he says. “I’m organized, and I like to work with numbers. It all works well together.”

When Meyer graduates in two years, he would like to teach high school algebra or trigonometry, and perhaps eventually teach calculus. Meyer says he hopes to begin his teaching career either in Kansas City or St. Louis. “I prefer the larger cities,” he says, “and Kansas City would be great because I have a lot of family living around there.”

Meyer is using the Missouri Teach Education Scholarship to help finance his tuition this year. He receives $1,000 each semester for a one-time scholarship of $2,000. The scholarship is awarded by the Missouri Department of Elementary Education, and half of the funding is provided by the participating university. At MU, the scholarship is matched with funds from the Virginia Hultz Booth Memorial Fund.

The Booth Memorial Fund was established in 1985 through a bequest from the estates of Robert J. and Acena Booth, long-time residents of Boone County.

“This scholarship has been a great financial help, and I am really honored to have received it,” says Meyer. “When I think of all the applicants for this scholarship, it makes me feel privileged that I was chosen.”

Meyer first learned of the scholarship during his senior year in high school, but the application deadline had just passed. “I was disappointed at first,” he says. “Then I found out that I could still apply as a freshman at MU.”

Part of the scholarship agreement is that the student must complete five years of teaching in Missouri after graduation. “This fits perfectly with my plans,” Meyer says, “and it will be a way for me to give something back to my state.”

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Last Update: November 15, 2007