Rachel Kinsaul (right) celebrates with one of her chapter members, Mason Nunn (left), as he receives top honors in the Grain Production Placement proficiency award area. Photo courtesy of Rachel Kinsaul.
Becoming an FFA advisor is a high calling, and for many, it becomes a lifetime labor of love. To recognize all the dedicated agriculture teachers who fill this important role, our nation celebrates National #TeachAg Day every September.
Rachel Kinsaul, who teaches agricultural education and leads the FFA chapter at Morgan County High School in Madison, Ga., won the coveted Milken Educator Award in 2024, which included a $25,000 cash prize. Kinsaul was also named a 2025-26 Georgia State Teacher of the Year.
“I teach ninth through 12th grade students taking introduction to agriculture science, forest science, general horticulture and floral design,” Kinsaul says. “Winning the Milken Educator Award has opened up doors for me I never knew existed — interviews, podcasts and collaborations. The focus of the Milken Family Foundation is to celebrate, elevate and activate teachers, and to encourage them to be 10% bolder. There is no formal nomination process or application, so I will never know how they found me. It has been a surreal experience.”
Kinsaul (middle) accepts her Milken Educator Award during a school assembly. Photo courtesy of Rachel Kinsaul.
Drawing from her experience of spending the last 15 years in the classroom, Kinsaul shares the following tips for beginning educators.
1. Just ask.
“So often I hear teachers say, ‘My administration would never let me do that!’ I always question them with, ‘Have you asked?’” she says. “If the answer was no, did you reevaluate and ask again? If the project is something you’re passionate about, ask again!”
2. Explore different areas to find your passion.
“When I first started teaching in Morgan County, I was teaching agricultural mechanics,” she says. “I was okay, but when I was able to switch up my course offerings, I discovered my passion. And that is when I feel like I really hit my groove teaching.”
3. Immerse yourself in the community.
“Don’t just work there. Do business there. Go out to eat. Join civic groups. Be part of the community,” she says. “Getting to know people in your community will open up so many doors for your students.”
4. Make your program relevant.
“A few years ago, my director asked, ‘If we told you tomorrow that we were going to close your program, who in the community would fight for you?’” she says. “I always felt like this was a powerful question. Are you making yourself relevant in the community? Are you doing things that your community cares about?”
Becoming an FFA advisor can help you make a difference in the lives of future agriculturists. Photo courtesy of Rachel Kinsaul.
5. Make friends in the front office.
“Just stop in and say hi when you don’t need anything,” she says. “If you have a free moment, go see if you can help out. I can guarantee that when you’re the one who needs help, they will come to your rescue!”
6. Smile before Christmas.
“When I was in college, they told us all, ‘Don’t smile before Christmas. Before you can have fun with the kids, they need to know who’s in charge,’” she says. “But I’ve realized I’m much more in charge when I build relationships with my students in a kind and caring way. You can smile and still be in control of your classroom.”
Cultivate Community
If you’re entering the classroom, connect with experienced educators from around the country through the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA program.
