Becoming the Ringmaster




On the journey to becoming an agricultural educator each student is required to complete a 15 week student teaching internship. During those 15 weeks we will work with a cooperating agricultural educator at that school. In order for each individual student and cooperating teacher to have the best experience possible it is important that each of us create a positive connection prior to student teaching. One way Mr. Curt Turner and I are working to establish our working relationship is through reading Juggling Elephants by Jones Loflin and Todd Musig. 

 Throughout my life, especially during my college career I have come to realization with my attributes as well as my weaknesses. Often times I find myself "biting off more than I can chew." I have always been the type of person to get involved where ever I possibly could. The book described it best by stating " the result of juggling elephants is that no one, including you, is thrilled with the performance." As I continued to add more things to my plate I wasn't happy with the time I was, or for better words the time I wasn't able to dedicate to each of my endeavors. In the past couple of years I have found myself becoming overwhelmed and forced to choose what really means the most to me.


Thus far in Juggling Elephants I have connected with literature more than I have connected with any other book in the past. "The ringmaster has the greatest impact on the success of the circus," my life is indeed a circus at times and as the ringmaster I get to make on the decisions. I have determined its time to take charge of the most important things in my life and put my all into them.

As I continue on my journey towards becoming an agricultural educator, I take time to reflect how the ideas in this book will help me in the future. As many know an agricultural educator is not a 9-5 job 5 days of the week. Ag teachers put in the extra hours before and after the normal school day to ensure the success of their students. I will learn to juggle the hectic life of an agricultural educator and a personal life through experience. However, this book has provided me with inspiration that I can and will be able to handle whatever life throws at me.

I look forward to taking what I have read so far in this book and continuing to implement it into my life. Check back in to hear the wisdom Loflin and Musig continue to share as I learn to "Juggle Elephants" during my journey of becoming an agricultural educator.

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