The Chronicles of Becoming an Ag Educator

This has most definitely been the best National FFA week yet! I spent the week doing exactly what I love, teaching students about agriculture. I'm here because of the path I chose to take through my involvement in the National FFA Organization. I feel that's its only fitting to give a quick glimpse into how I got where I am now. I started my journey in agriculture at a young age growing up on a farm and showing dairy cattle. As I got to high school there was no question to whether or not I would join the National FFA Organization. I worked my way up through the ranks being as involved as I possibly could competing in career development events, attending leadership conferences, and serving as an officer. From the moment I stepped foot into an agriculture classroom and joined the FFA I knew that I wanted it to continue to be apart of my life. I often get asked why did you want to teach agriculture? Was there a specific defining moment? For me I can't say that there was a spec...

Over the last week or so I have continued to hear from my cooperating teachers “if you can survive the next few weeks, you can survive anything.” While that definitely sounds a bit intimidating, I have chose to take this challenge head on. My calendar continues to fill up and with each new event I have a sense of pride knowing that I am getting the very best opportunities to prepare me to teach on my own. In addition to my teaching duties at Central Columbia my teaching cohort and I headed back to State College to prepare for the next step in our Teach Ag journey, interviews. These mock interviews got me thinking, when you’re applying for a new job, what is the important information you need to know before accepting a position? For some it may be salary, benefits, or maybe even what’s a typical work week look like. The last one really gets me thinking what does a “typical” work week look like in the shoes of an Ag Teacher? Reflecting back on the past six weeks, what does the word t...

First my first SAE visit I headed just down the road from the school to the local Renco Ace Hardware to check in on Abby Yoder. Abby is currently serving as Central Columbia's FFA Chapter President. She has been an active member of the chapter for the past four years competing in various career development events including being selected as a creed speaking finalist her freshman year. She has high hopes to continue her FFA career serving as a Pennsylvania State FFA officer next year. Abby has been completing her SAE at Renco Ace Hardware for over a year keeping detailed accurate records through her AET record book. It's her constant involvement and strong record skills that helped her receive the Pennsylvania State Star in Ag Placement this year at mid-winter convention.  At Renco Abby completes various tasks from stocking shelves, customer service, and her latest task cutting keys. Prior to visiting Abby I discussed with her what goals she has for her position, she mentioned...

Another week has come and gone. This week I am remind of something I already knew but experiencing for the first time, ag teachers are busy people! Between my own personal life and that which happens in the classroom, there is not a whole lot of extra time left in the day. This past week has indeed been an extremely crazy one, yet so rewarding. I welcomed a new nephew into this world, signed a contract for a future home, all with continuing to prepare lesson plans, attend meetings, prepare students for career development events, and the list could go on. This week I am thankful for my new found organization, where I have been utilizing a planner. I have had some great successes while also uncovered some new challenges and I am accepting them all head on. Here's a little of how my week went. I continued to teach two different agriscience 1 classes covering material in FFA history and agriculture careers. I was excited to potential pick up two more classes however the weather had...

Over the last several weeks I have had many people inquire to how student teaching is going, the answer is always the same sarcastic response "i'm surviving." Yes it's good news that i'm surviving but even better news is i'm having a great experience. Taking time to reflect each week I ask myself how I got so lucky to be a part of such an amazing school and program. As I continue to add classes, get to know my students, and attend various events it's clear to me that I have definitely chose the right profession . This week I continued to help students prepare for for an upcoming leadership development event, taught two classes, and experienced the 8th grade visit day. The 8th grade visit was probably one of the coolest events I have experienced in an Ag program thus far. Prior to the 8th graders transitioning into the high school they have the opportunity to visit the local vo-tech and visit the high school, helping aid in their decision as to which on...