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What is your last name?

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What is your last name?

By Todd Everhart, Agricultural Sciences Teacher, Merino, Colorado

The bell rings and you quickly grab the things you need to get ready for the next class in a mere five minutes. Between finalizing state degrees, National Chapter Award applications and multiple proficiency awards, you didn't take time to look at the day's announcements. Much to your surprise, there are only eight of 15 students present. "Where's Austin?" "Baseball," a student replies. "Where's Hayley?" "At a track meet." "Where's Andie?" "At the math and science competition." And the list goes on and on. I don't know about you, but in rural Colorado at this time of year, this is a daily routine. It is easy to get frustrated and just want to shut down.

This takes me back a few years to a day when I was checking e-mails and one in particular caught my attention. National FFA was going to hold the first Delta Conference in Colorado Springs. The internal dialogue began. "I really don't need one more thing to do, do I?" "Oh, just read it. It does sound interesting." "Oh man, that is a long application." "But it is in Colorado and, oh, why not? I'll fill out the application." I did fill out the application and attend the conference. Boy, am I glad I did! At the conference, I realized that I had been learning some of what was covered at Delta my whole life and just never applied it to my own classroom.

I am the son of an ag teacher who honed his skills over the better part of 30 years. The things that he taught me growing up are ingrained into LifeKnowledge. When my brothers and I were not giving our full effort to a task, Dad would ask, "What is your last name?" We would look at each other and one of us would say "Everhart." Dad would say, "That's right. You are an Everhart and we don't settle for good enough." That might sound arrogant, but the point was that he expected the very best effort from us as well as himself. While I thought it sounded funny at the time, he was instilling a very important educational concept in me. Whether you want to call it "speaking to the best self" or the "self-fulfilling prophecy concept" or, in my dad's case, the "what's your last name effect," it serves a powerful purpose. It works! As author and financial consultant Dave Ramsey puts it, "The enemy of the best is not the worst, but the just fine."

LifeKnowledge has taught me about pedagogy and intonation and lots of other cool-sounding words; but for now, let's focus on the concept mentioned above. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have expectations of our students based upon their looks, their parents, their clothing, whether we have had their siblings in class, what we heard in the workroom and a myriad of other factors. There is a great example of expectations on YouTube right now. The contestant walks onto the stage at Britain's "Got Talent" show and the judges ask her a few questions. It is obvious that they have their minds made up already. Then the lady starts to sing; the judges' eyes open wide and their jaws nearly hit the table. This happens or can happen in classrooms every day.

Let's look at an example. You are getting ready to introduce the creed contest. You toss copies of the creed on the table in front of your students and you tell them the date of the contest and that it is for a grade so they have to know it. What kind of reactions would you get? Compare that to speaking to the best self: "Good morning. I am glad you are here. We just finished up breeds of livestock and are ready to move on. I'm very impressed with how easily this class masters new and challenging concepts. In front of you is the FFA Creed. To help us get started, last year's chapter winner will recite the creed for us. Listen closely as John presents the creed. I have no doubt that everyone here can learn the creed and present it as well as John did."

I could continue, but just remember the next time you are short of time or energy or you just want to get by, ask yourself, "What is your last name?"

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Give us the 411

In 2006, the LifeKnowledge Center discovered, through an evaluation study by the Strategic Research and Marketing group, that 40 percent of agriculture educators were using LifeKnowledge. Now, that a few years have flown by we would like your help re-evaluating how LifeKnowledge is being used in the classroom and throughout FFA and SAE activities. We want your ideas, suggestions, thoughts and opinions on the types of resources and materials that should be developed to help you help students actualize the FFA Mission.

The online questionnaire is being administered by Strategic Marketing & Research, Inc. to maintain the confidentiality of all information entered.

In appreciation of your participation, your name will be entered into a drawing for one of ten $100 gift certificates to FFA Unlimited. To fill out this questionnaire, click here.

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Featured Technical Lesson: Job Application

With the economy in a rut, and each applicant striving to perform one step above the rest during an interview, take the time this spring to teach your students about the "dos" and "don'ts" of interviewing for a job. Allow your students time to practice and master that first impression. Check out how Levi Reese of North Dakota incorporates sound methodology and e-Moments into this lesson focusing on career success.

Click here for Lesson Plan

Name: Levi Reese

Occupation/location: Agriculture Education Instructor/ Lakota High School.

How long have you been in agricultural education? Past 4 years, all at Lakota.

Why did you want to become an agriculture educator? When I look back on it I really don't remember why I picked aged as a major. I think it partially had to do with an Ag Teacher that I had really made a impact on me and also I wanted to find a job that would also let farm with my dad. Since that time things have changed and I am not home farming but I love what I do and would never change the discussion that I made.

College: Dickinson State University, North Dakota State University

Family: Parents and a sister

Favorite e-Moment? Why? Hole in one moment, I think this would have to be my most favorite as I use it all of the time without even thinking of it. It could be maybe when I am teaching students to weld or when I am getting them to use parli pro.

Favorite teaching memory: This would have to be the time when I had a group of 9th grade students that were all afraid of going out into the shop and learning how weld and use the oxy act system. We had gone through all of basics and safety of using everything. The first day came to go out into the shop and none of them wanted to go they were trying everything to get out of it, but in the end they ended up going and all enjoyed it. They thought it was fun and interesting.

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7 Keys to a Successful Interview

Randy Vlasin, a past team member of the LifeKnowledge Center for Agricultural Education, recently served as the Executive Director of FutureForce Nebraska where he focused on developing a well educated, highly skilled workforce for Nebraska. Vlasin currently works as the Executive Director of the Chase County Hospital Foundation in Imperial, Nebraska, while continuing to operate a consulting business centered on behavior style analysis, team building and communication. But, his roots reside in agricultural education where he served the profession for 24 years.

LK-Q: What are the keys to communication in a job interview situation?

RV-A: Often we think communication in an interview is about what you say, tone of voice and eye contact. While these are certainly important, the fact is how you look, speak, dress, hygiene, your expressions, in short everything about you communicates something in an interview. My first piece of advice is to research the job for which you are applying. Review the job description – does it sound like something that would match your natural talents and strengths? This is very important. It is tough to look good in an interview if you are applying for something that you have no talent for, I don't care how good your gift of gab is. This doesn't mean you have to be a highly skilled expert, you just have to be honest with yourself and ask "Can I see myself accomplishing and enjoying this work?"

A few basics:

1. Greet people with a firm handshake (not crushing, just firm) and a warm smile.
2. Make sure you are well groomed (avoid looking like you just got out of bed), dress appropriately (does the work require dress clothes, outdoor work clothes, etc.) What ever the case, make sure the clothes are clean and pressed. Rarely is there and interview where t-shirts, shorts or faded jeans and flip-flops are appropriate. You may not think of your dress as communication skills but the way you appear in an interview communicates volumes without you saying a word. This can be either positive or negative.
3. Body piercing. Depending on the employer interviewing you, you may want to think about this issue. Earrings are acceptable in many instances but piercing of the nose, lips, eyebrows, chin, etc. are not seen as professional in many settings. Most employers will not tell you this outright because they fear discrimination laws. Just understand, it can create an image that is not acceptable in the minds of some employers and cause you to be passed over for the job. You can argue this is not fair, but it is often reality.
4. During the interview, be yourself. If you are trying to be something your not, it will come out on the job and it may come out in the interview which will make you look phony.
5. When asked a question by an employer, it's okay to take a moment and think about your response before answering. That is evidence that you are willing to be thorough in your thoughts before simply blurting something out. That is important in the business world. If you are asked a question you don't know the answer to, be honest and say you don't know but would be willing to learn, find out, get back with more info, etc.
6. Be a good listener in the interview. Keep your eyes on the person asking the question and stay focused on what they are saying. This helps you to better understand questions you may be asked plus it shows you care enough about the job to give it your full attention.
7. Be prepared to back up what you say you can do with past examples of work and references. This is sometimes difficult when just starting out, especially high school students. That is why it is so important to get involved in school activities. Many students forget that school is their job and while on that job, you have a chance to build a resume with teachers, coaches, advisors your work with. They can be a valuable resource when applying for that job.

© 2009, National FFA Organization

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