I want to teach because the process of learning is powerful. When I reflect on my own development, the people who stick out are my mentors and teachers, and I want to pay that forward to my future students who deserve positive experiences and people who believe in them.”

Faven’s Story

Teaching Discipline

Biology

Why Science

“Science is a way of thinking much more than a body of knowledge” – Carl Sagan

Professional Experience

After completing her undergraduate studies, Faven spent three years working with AmeriCorps City Year Chicago. As a Corps Member, she provided more than 1,700 hours of tutoring and mentoring to middle school students. As a Senior Corps Member, she led a team of seven in tutoring and mentoring middle school students. In this capacity, she coached Corps Members and worked with teachers and school staff to enhance the service provided. In her last year with the organization, she worked as an Impact Manager. In this role, she managed a partnership with a local high school and a team of nine full-time volunteers.

Since becoming a teacher in 2015, Faven has taught in Chicago, IL, Silver Spring, MD, and Washington, D.C. Faven has taught biology, chemistry, and environmental systems to many different student populations, including English language learners, a group that is close to her heart, as a first-generation Eritrean-American.Outside of the classroom, Faven has supported a graduate course for pre-service teachers focused on designing NGSS aligned curriculum at the University of Chicago.

Faven recognizes how Knowles has provided her the opportunity to further her own understanding of teaching rigorous, inquiry-based content founded in science and engineering practices. She also credits Knowles with pushing her to find spaces to amplify her impact within her school. This included working with administration during the summer to redesign teacher professional development to be more responsive and differentiated.

Special Recognition

In 2009, Faven became a published author. (Valiulin, R., Dressen, D., Riggs, J., Habte, F. & Kutateladze, A. (2009). Effect of Intramolecular Paternò-Büchi Reaction on the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Nearly Degenerate [3,3]- Sigmatropic Shift in Fluxional Polycycles. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 74(9), 3484–3490.

Hobbies

Faven enjoys sports, eating, cooking, traveling and reading.

Academic Background

  • University of Chicago (Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Biology)
  • University of Denver (Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry)