Change Lives Teach Agricultural Education

Impacting a Life Teaching Agriculture Education Workshop Introduction –Mrs. Brittany Elmquist –Ms. Katie Lewis AKA Bean and Swan

Objectives What is an agriculture educator? What challenges do you face as an agriculture educator? Why should you be an agriculture educator? How do I become an agriculture educator?

What is an agriculture educator? Five groups… –Five volunteers from each Take turns “molding” an object and your team guesses –(Scooby, Dooby, Doooo)

What is an agriculture educator? How difficult was it to mold these different shapes? How hard is to mold play-dough? How does this relate to being an agriculture educator?

Swan and Bean thoughts… Ag teachers mold students We are given the opportunity to impact students by helping them develop as individuals and risk becoming better Just as the shapes were all different and some more detailed than others – so are the students and people we impact ***AGRICULTURE EDUCATORS ARE ARTISTS AND OUR CANVAS ARE STUDENTS’ LIVES

What challenges do you face as an agriculture educator? At your tables…you have 5-7 minutes to: –Construct the tallest tower you can –MUST be free standing But, can have as many contact points with the ground as you want –AGREE within your group on the best way to create your “leaning tower of success”

What challenges do you face as an agriculture educator? What challenges did you face in building your tower? How did you overcome these challenges? Would you consider your tower a success?

Bean and Swan thoughts… Being an agriculture educator has many challenges Students, parents, communities, and administrators all have different expectations and ideas of success for you and the chapter You have a great amount of knowledge you need to learn and know in order to teach the many different classes Continued…

Many will expect you to wear many different hats –Bus driver –Vet –Parent –Shrink –Salesman –Motivational speaker And all within the same day!

So, why should YOU do it??? What famous group has the slogan –“Be All You Can Be?”

That’s right – the Army The army and us want you to join the “army” of agriculture educators

Why should you be an agriculture educator? How do I become an agriculture educator? Room splits in half Everyone will need paper and a pencil ½ room write down reasons why you want to be an agriculture educator ½ room write down what they need to be a successful agriculture educator Continued

Why should you be an agriculture educator? How do I become an agriculture educator? Write your category at the top of the page and your first reason When given the go… –Throw it to the other side –The other side will pick it up and read the answer and then put their response on the back side of the paper and throw it back –This will continue and NO answers can be repeated on the sheet of paper –***The goal is to have fewer “bombs” on the your side when “cease fire” is called READY, AIM, FIRE!!!

Why should you be an agriculture educator? How do I become an agriculture educator? Discuss… 1 st : Reasons to be an agriculture educator 2 nd : How do you become an successful agriculture educator?

Swan and Bean thoughts… One of the new slogans in the army is “An Army of One” –While important to be a force within yourself – this is not a slogan that really holds true in agriculture education –In ag ed, we are team and a special group Continued

Swan and Bean thoughts… Club that is not for the weak of heart You have to be BRAVE –But, you do not do it on your own –Depend on fellow ag teachers for ideas, motivation and support –We are even more of a force, together as a group

You must make a decision… 1) Are you a molder of man (okay high school students)? Do you want to be the one to make the impact? 2) Are you up to the challenge? Is it worth the risk? 3) Will you join the army?

If YES… Secret oath Agriculture Educator’s creed – adapted Please raise your right hand and repeat after me

Future Agriculture Educator’s Creed I am not just an ag teacher wanna-be, But an ag teacher gonna-be, oh yeah!

I believe and know that agriculture has a future, And it is in the hands of a younger culture.

I want to mold and impact the next generation And will do this as I teach. Through the lives and individuals I reach.

I know it will not be easy, And at times I might have to act pretty cheesy, But I know I can, and will, make a difference.

I promise to learn and succeed as best I can, Striving to become “the woman” or “the man” Who is pointed to when the question is raised, “Who made a difference in your life today?”

And I will continue on in the FFA, Do my student teaching, Oh, yes, I will be there someday.

To join the ranks and take up the battle, Teaching meats, conservation, flowers, and cattle.

I join of my own free will, Knowing that I will never get my fill, Of learning, teaching, and preaching, Coaching, molding, and impacting lives.

Today, all of these things I promise, As I continue to build my tower high.

Questions, Comments, Concerns, Smart Remarks… Sticky notes What questions do you have? What do you really want to know? What can we do to help?

Thanks Much and Good Luck!