By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Agricultural science teachers early in their career spent two days with educational and agricultural experts to gain knowledge and resources for their classrooms through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Early Ag Teacher Professional Development workshop.

“Farm Bureau believes in investing in ag teachers, and this new professional development opportunity focused on topics that are especially important to ag teachers and their courses, FFA contests and supervised agricultural experiences,” said Jordan Bartels, TFB associate director of Organization division, Educational Outreach.

Teachers like Breanna Robison with one to five years of experience in the classroom expanded their network of resources and colleagues.

“This was a great experience because the other teachers in the room were in the same place as me—new in our career and looking to learn all that we can to be successful in the classroom for our students,” said Robison, who is in her third year teaching at Linden-Kildare Consolidated Independent School District.

The two-day workshop included presentations from McLennan Community College professionals and a Central Texas veterinarian, who explained livestock care to teachers, as well as provided an opportunity for getting their hands dirty.

“In just the first day, I learned a lot,” Robison, who didn’t grow up in agriculture, said. “We had informative speakers, hands-on experience vaccinating cattle, which I’ve never done, and learned about free resources available from Farm Bureau and other groups.”

The teachers also toured TrueHarvest Farms, a hydroponics farm in Belton, and they heard from veteran teachers with several years of classroom experience.

Workshop empowers ag teachers, equips them with resources Ag teachers early in their career spent two days with educational and agricultural experts to gain knowledge and resources for their classrooms.

“I felt like I struggled last school year in some of the classes, but the resources we learned about will definitely help me with lessons, activities and other engaging ways to bring agricultural information to my students,” Robison said. “None of my family was in agriculture, so the connections I’ve built during this workshop and so far in my career definitely help me with my curriculum development.”

Nearly 40 teachers were in attendance for the first workshop of this kind.

“The workshop directly addressed how to facilitate the three-circle model approach, which includes classroom instruction, FFA and supervised agricultural experiences,” Bartels said. “The site visits gave them a chance to see and hear about the diversity in Texas agriculture and take back information and contacts to introduce to their students.”

Teachers took home classroom materials, including information on TFB contests, student leadership programs and resources designed specifically for agricultural science teachers.

The free professional development event was held June 3-4 in Waco.

Additional information on other educational opportunities and resources can also be found at texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.

Workshop empowers ag teachers, equips them with resources Ag teachers early in their career spent two days with educational and agricultural experts to gain knowledge and resources for their classrooms.