A Career In Agriculture Education Chapter 1

Chapter Objectives: Define Agriculture Education and discuss its scope Describe the meaning and importance of teaching Identify the roles and responsibilities of agriculture teachers Explain teaching as a profession Including professionalism and the role of ethics Relate teaching agriculture to the total school community

What is Agriculture Education Agriculture education is a program of instruction in and about agriculture and related subjects. Most commonly offered in secondary schools of the United States Some elementary and middle schools and some postsecondary institutes/community colleges also offer it Subjects can include: Plant Production - Animal Production Biological and Physical Sciences - Horticulture Natural Resources & Environmental Tech. - Mechanics Forestry - Food Production/Distribution

Career Cluster in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium has identified 16 career clusters Careers and instructional areas associated with: Production Processing Marketing Distribution Financing Development Agriculture Commodities and Resources such as: Food Fiber Wood products Natural resources Plant products and resources Animal products and resources

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Plant Systems Agronomy, horticulture, forestry, turf, viticulture, and soils Animal Systems Large and small animals, wildlife animals, research animals and others Power, Structural and Technical Systems Power, structures, controls, hydraulics, electronics, pneumatics and the like Natural Resources Systems Habitat conservation, mining, fisheries, soil conservation, etc. Environmental Service Systems Water and air quality, solid waste management, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, sanitation and the like Agribusiness Systems Agriculture sales and service, entrepreneurship, management and the like Food Products and Processing Systems Processing, preserving, packaging, and distributing foods.

Teachers, Students and Programs Since 1994, a national study of agriculture education has been completed every five years Provided considerable insight into agriculture education programs, students, and teachers In 2004, 1, 098, 233 secondary students were enrolled in agriculture education classes offered by 10,711 teachers in 7262 schools Enrollment per teachers has INCREASED in the last decade as funding to support instruction has DECLINED. Greater number of students take ag classes in schools with alternative scheduling. Further, the number of students per teacher is greater in schools with alternative scheduling.

Selected Findings of A National Study of Agriculture Education 1994 2004 One teacher programs Student Enrollment Average enrollment per program Enrollment per teacher (OTP) Enrollment with more than 1 teacher Alternative Scheduling – 100.79 / 115.66 Fund budget per teacher for instr. res. Fund budget as per student 74.7% 732, 600 99.14 75.6 students 59.6 students 40.69 (1999) $7231 $52 (1999) 58% 1, 098, 233 150.19 108.4 students 92.5 students 33.75 $4561 $37

Teaching Teach Teacher Teaching Guide or cause others to learn something Instruct others using various strategies, such as examples and experiences Includes planning and evaluating the educational process Providing leadership Teacher Anyone who teaches An individual whose occupation is to teach 50 million people throughout the world Teaching Art and science of directing the learning process Agriculture teacher is a teacher of agriculture or related subjects Roles in teaching agriculture education are many and diverse Active role that involves many functions in helping others learn. Can occur in a wide range of environments, such as in the pasture of a ranch, at a bench in the greenhouse or a school classroom.

Importance of Teaching with emphasis on Agriculture Education It promotes overall development of youth and adults for productive and successful lives It helps assure that people have sufficient ag literacy to be good consumers and citizens It promotes agriculture practices to assure sufficient food and fiber supply to meet the needs of an increasing human population It promotes safe food handling and preparation practices It develops knowledge and skills needed to enter and advance in an ag or other related career It provides preparation for students to pursue education in agriculture areas beyond high school It promotes the use of sustainable resource practice in ag, horticulture, forestry, and other areas It provides related education to promote achievement in science, mathematics, reading, etc. It helps individuals enjoy a higher standard of living It promotes an appreciation for the environment and its protection It promotes wise use of natural resources to achieve human goals

Roles and Responsibilities of Agriculture Teachers Being a school team member Planning and developing a program Preparing to teach classes Delivering instructions Evaluating student progress Advising student organizations Supervising student experiences Managing resources Relating to publics Practicing citizenship

Teaching As A Profession An occupation that requires a long, specific program of preparation in higher education and uses a code of ethics to guide the conduct of individuals in the profession Professional Code of Ethics A statement of ideals, principles, and standards related to the conduct of individuals within a profession Creed A statement of general beliefs of individuals in a profession or organization

Ag Teacher’s Creed I am an agricultural educator by choice and not by chance. I believe in American agriculture; I dedicate my life to its development and the advancement of its people. I will strive to set before my students by my deeds and actions the highest standards of citizenship for the community, state and nation. I will endeavor to develop professionally through study, travel and exploration. I will not knowingly wrong my fellow teachers. I will defend them as far as honesty will permit. I will work for the advancement of agricultural education and I will defend it in my community, state and nation. I realize that I am a part of the school system. I will work in harmony with school authorities and other teachers of the school. My love for youth will spur me on to impart something from my life that will help make for each of my students a full and happy future.

Professional Status Preparation Participation Continuing education Deameanor

The School Community Agriculture education is part of a larger school community. It is not carried out in isolation from other classes, teachers, and students. A school community performs best when all members work together as a team to attain student achievement goals. Being supportive of the entire school program helps build support for agriculture education. School personnel, as well as community stakeholders, appreciate an agriculture teacher who embraces all aspects of the school community, including extracurricular activities.

Thank you Dulce De Los Santos & Eutimio Alaniz Jr.