Opportunities to use agriculture as an educational component in the classroom are endless. Now, teachers can receive scholarships to learn more about resources and ways to incorporate agriculture in the classroom.
Teachers interested in attending the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference this summer can apply for financial assistance from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) to help offset some of the costs.
The conference, set for June 18-21 in Little Rock, Arkansas, is designed to show teachers how agricultural concepts can be used in subjects such as reading, writing, math, science, social studies, nutrition and more.
Keynote speakers include Temple Grandin, a noted animal expert and advocate for autistic populations, and Dr. Marty Matlock, executive director of the University of Arkansas Resiliency Center.
“It is a privilege to assist teachers who are interested in food and fiber production into their curriculum,” Jett Mason, TFB director of Educational Outreach, said. “By attending this conference, these teachers will be better equipped to utilize agricultural concepts in their classroom.”
TFB will award scholarships to 10 teachers.
This is the first year TFB will provide financial assistance for multiple teachers.
In previous years, the organization has only sponsored the state Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award winner, Mason said.
This scholarship will help cover conference registration fees, airfare or mileage to Little Rock up to $500, reimbursed upon conference attendance. Two meals will also be reimbursed.
“This is a great opportunity for these teachers to learn how agriculture can be incorporated in their lesson plans,” Mason said. “It’s important that we sponsor these endeavors when we can, because the future of agriculture starts in these classrooms.”
Eligible applicants include active classroom teachers of kindergarten through twelfth grade or aides who teach in a Texas school and have not attended the conference in previous years.
Mary Beth Bauer, a science teacher at Our Lady of the Hills High School in Kerrville, was named the 2018 Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award winner.
“Each year, we sponsor the winner to attend the national conference as part of the reward for winning this recognition,” Mason said.
Know a teacher who is hungry for more information about agriculture? Encourage them to apply for the scholarship and to attend the conference.
The deadline to apply for the conference scholarships is Feb. 15. Teachers can apply online at www.texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.
For more information on the scholarships, contact Mason at 254-751-2569 or jmason@txfb.org.