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Feature Stories
Breaking Tradition | Cover Story: Talkin' 'bout My Generation | Balancing a Full House and a Full Classroom
The Evolving Role of Women in Agricultural Education
Involve Local Alumni in your Planning | Achieving Balance Between Being a “Mom” and an “Ag Mom”
Breaking Tradition: The Changing Face of the Ag Ed Profession
In our families we have traditions. Grandpa always says “grace”…Aunt Nell always brings the sunshine salad…and Cousin Scotty always shows up an hour late. It’s what we’ve grown accustomed to, and we embrace it as the norm. But what happens when Nell brings peas and Grandma says the prayer? Is life so jarred that the family can no longer function?
Of course not!
The Ag Ed profession is like a huge family. There are roles and responsibilities that, over time, have become tradition. Change, while it may not always be initially embraced, is welcome and keeps our “family” thriving. This issue of Making a Difference is focused on the changing face of the agricultural education profession. Whether it’s gender, age, or family demographics, the profession is a lot different today than it was 30 years ago.
Schools are filled with teachers fresh out of college, teachers nearing retirement and everything in-between. This combination of experience and fresh ideas can make for a vibrant instructional environment. It also can lead to some conflict—and the agriculture classroom is no exception. Read Talkin’ ‘bout my Generation: Generational differences can influence teacher relations to learn how teachers of multiple generations, with different teaching styles, share one goal: student success.
Managing a growing family and a growing agriculture program is a delicate balance. Looking only at the hours available in a day, it would seem impossible to do both well. However, some have found that teaching agriculture can actually be the ideal career situation for raising a family. Check out Balancing a Full House and a Full Classroom to discover how two teachers make it work.
From livestock shows to agricultural mechanics to welding, agricultural education classrooms are being led by a growing number of women educators. What was once a predominately male role has evolved to include a host of women tackling the profession. Read The Evolving Role of Women in Agricultural Education to see how these women break the mold and thrive in the Ag Ed profession.
Also, check out Perspectives: Achieving Balance Between Being a “Mom” and an “Ag Mom” by Jona Squires, a horticulture teacher at Mid-America Technology Center in Wayne, Okla. She gives a personal account of the challenges and rewards of being both a mom to her children and one to her agriculture students.
Frank Saldaña, executive director of National FFA Alumni, stresses the importance of advisors having a strong alumni support network and give tips and strategies on how to form this bond in his editorial, Team Ag Ed: Involve Local Alumni in your Planning.
Finally, don’t miss your chance to respond to this month’s Question for the Profession, where Nina Crutchfield, National FFA LPS Specialist asks, “Are Baby Strollers Really Welcome at Inservice?” Has the Ag Ed profession evolved to be more accepting of those who involve their families so closely with their occupation? Is agricultural education really a family-friendly profession?
We hope you enjoy this month’s issue, and don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list, which ensures that Making a Difference comes directly to your inbox each month.