AGED Using Community Resources to Support Instruction

Profile of a First Year Ag Teacher Age Age Education Education Technical Experience Technical Experience Teaching Experience Teaching Experience 22 to to 24 B.S. or M.A. B.S. or M.A. SAE, Work Experience, College Courses SAE, Work Experience, College Courses AGED 3103, Twelve weeks of student teaching AGED 3103, Twelve weeks of student teaching

The “Wise Owl” Syndrome Named after the Advisors part in Opening Ceremonies. Named after the Advisors part in Opening Ceremonies. May effect as many as 80% of First Year Teachers. (S.W.A.G.) May effect as many as 80% of First Year Teachers. (S.W.A.G.) Can lead to attempts of “Super Human” feats. Can lead to attempts of “Super Human” feats. May cause teachers to feel they must become the “Fountain of All Knowledge”. May cause teachers to feel they must become the “Fountain of All Knowledge”.

Preventing the “Wise Owl” Syndrome Remember that your job as a teacher is to be the “Organizer of the Learning Process”. Remember that your job as a teacher is to be the “Organizer of the Learning Process”. Remember that you are “human” and that learning along with your students can be a rewarding experience for both of you. Remember that you are “human” and that learning along with your students can be a rewarding experience for both of you. Use every opportunity to engage your community in assisting you in delivering quality experiences for your students. Use every opportunity to engage your community in assisting you in delivering quality experiences for your students.

Informal types of community resources Guest speakers Guest speakers Field trips Field trips Tours Tours Have resource people teach you Have resource people teach you Have resource people teach your classes Have resource people teach your classes Make sure that informal types are part of a “formal” lesson plan. Make sure that informal types are part of a “formal” lesson plan.

Formal types of community resources Advisory Committees Advisory Committees Booster Clubs Booster Clubs FFA Alumni FFA Alumni Young Farmers Young Farmers

Advisory Committees vs Booster Clubs Advisory Committees Advisory Committees Members are appointed Members are appointed Members are chosen based on some criteria Members are chosen based on some criteria Members provide advice Members provide advice Committee provides a link between the community and the ag ed program Committee provides a link between the community and the ag ed program Booster Clubs Booster Clubs Members join Membership is open to all Members provide support The club brings the resources of the community to the ag ed program

Advisory Committee Representation Based upon the community Based upon the community Types of farming Types of farming Types of agribusiness Types of agribusiness Former students Former students Former parents of students Former parents of students School counselors School counselors School administrators (ex-officio) School administrators (ex-officio)

Number of members Five to nine (odd numbers work best) Five to nine (odd numbers work best) Include male and female representatives Include male and female representatives Take into account ethnicity, age, religion, location of committee members in the community (the make-up of the committee should mirror your community) Take into account ethnicity, age, religion, location of committee members in the community (the make-up of the committee should mirror your community)

Selection of members Recommended by ag ed instructor Recommended by ag ed instructor Selected by advisory committee Selected by advisory committee Appointed by superintendent Appointed by superintendent Serve at the pleasure of the board of education Serve at the pleasure of the board of education

Organizing an advisory committee Constitution and By-laws Constitution and By-laws Officers Officers Terms of membership Terms of membership Meeting times, dates, etc. Meeting times, dates, etc. Purpose of the committee Purpose of the committee Identify the role of the ag ed instructor and administration Identify the role of the ag ed instructor and administration

Areas the committee can help Classroom and Laboratory Classroom and Laboratory Curriculum Curriculum Lab equipment Lab equipment Facilities Facilities Budget Budget Safety Safety Resource people Resource people

Areas a committee can help (cont.) S.A.E. S.A.E. Determine policy Determine policy Suggest training stations Suggest training stations Assist with record keeping Assist with record keeping

Areas a committee can help (cont.) FFA FFA Adult chaperones Adult chaperones Judge awards and applications Judge awards and applications Review chapter P.O.A. Review chapter P.O.A. Conduct programs with the chapter Conduct programs with the chapter

Areas a committee can help (cont.) Community and Program Development Community and Program Development Assist in deciding “what” should be taught Assist in deciding “what” should be taught Assist in program evaluation Assist in program evaluation Assist with Public Relations Assist with Public Relations Provide continuity when instructors change Provide continuity when instructors change

Areas a committee can help (cont.) Adult and Young Farmer Adult and Young Farmer Determine program of study Determine program of study Help secure financing Help secure financing Recruit students Recruit students

Avoid the “Wise Owl” Syndrome

Use Community Resources to Support Instruction