Learning From the Wise Owls

As advisors teachers are stationed by the owl! The owl is a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. When there are questions to be answered about agricultural education programs I head right to the source…..the ag teachers themselves!


Heading out into the field soon I wanted to know about some of my past colleges and how their teaching experience was going. Lets start with the bad, the struggles some of these new teachers are facing. Student motivation came up in the conversation a lot. Between students in class, getting students to participate in FFA, and motivating the officers to take on those leadership roles; motivation is hard to instill within some students. Just coming from student teaching I can agree with this. I had some students in class I really, really wanted to participate in a contest because I knew they would have been really good but for whatever reason they didn't want to put on that blue and gold jacket.

 On to the good some of the teachers I talked to are currently in a one teacher department. I was told that at first one teacher was very apprehensive about taking the job, not sure he wanted to be the only ag teacher but is since very happy in the position and sees the advantages it brings. In a one teacher department he has more freedom when it comes to spending money and making big decisions. However tasks like planning the banquet are a little more stressful.

Speaking of the FFA budget……
I had a long conversation with my agriculture teacher the other day to find out more about how budgets work for a program. It's a little nerve-racking to know that you will be in charge of making sure the department gets what it needs! She assured me though that it's not as tough as I make it sound and at that school anyway it's a pretty simple process. She has a number amount that she is allowed to spend, creates a list of what she needs, and turns it in for approval!

Some FFA chapters also have an articulation agreement with a local college so that students are actually able to receive college credit for some of the classes they take! The school I graduated from has an articulation agreement with Delaware Valley College for an animal science course as well as a horticulture course. This wasn't a possibility when I was in high school so I'm really happy to be part of the growing program and help when needed as part of the advisory council. The high school I student taught at had an articulation agreement with another local community college which allowed students to receive credit for an agriculture business class. I think it's wonderful that the students are able to get the ball rolling early and head to college with a class under their belt or at least be able to add to their resume that they received college credit for an ag class.

Well as always I had a great time chatting with some ag teachers in PA and look forward to learning new things in the future!