Lexi Mueller, the 2020-21 Illinois FFA Association President, poses for her headshot.
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things,” said Mother Teresa. This phrase is what Lexi Mueller, the 2020-21 Illinois FFA Association President, lives by.
Mueller’s time in the blue jacket led her to serve her state through her authentic leadership. However, Mueller didn’t stop just there; her passion for agriculture also led her back to the classroom as an agriculture educator.
Educational Influences
As a child, Mueller grew up with lots of educational influences, including her father, who has a master’s degree in agricultural education. Her uncle was her high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, so you could say she was born into the agricultural education family.
“When I was little, I would play school with my sister,” Mueller says. “I would be the teacher, and she would be the student. I would make math worksheets and everything.”
Putting the “Ag” in “Agriculture”
Mueller started her FFA career in the Valmeyer FFA Chapter in Section 22, under the direction of her uncle, Mark Mueller. Through these experiences, Mueller learned that she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture based on her passions and upbringing in the industry.
By her junior year in high school, she realized what she wanted to do: become an agriculture teacher. This was perfect for her because it combined her love for education and learning with her rooted passion for all aspects of the agriculture industry.
State Office
“I am so much more emotionally aware than I was before I was a state officer,” Mueller says. “In state office, you have to genuinely be so intentional about giving thanks and showing appreciation. I’m a big letter writer now — I give out a lot of notes, I give out a lot of prayer cards, and I am so much stronger in my faith because I was made to be aware of those things.”
Even though Mueller had the idea of being an agriculture educator before her time as a state officer, it gave her the toolbox to be successful. She learned how to be intentional and be aware of who people are.
Mueller with her plaque that commemorates her year as a state officer.
Different Teaching Style
“I would call myself a facilitator as opposed to a teacher,” Mueller says. “I love thinking ‘Here’s the knowledge, here’s the wisdom and here’s the information.’ It is my job to facilitate that to you — not to tell you what it is, but for us to work through it together.”
The 2020-21 Major State Officer Team in the state of Illinois created the Ground Zero Conference. This conference is still implemented today in many locations. It aims to supply freshmen and sophomore members with leadership skills across the prairie state.
Mueller is pictured with her co-teachers at Richland County High School in the agricultural department. These three serve as the advisors for the Olney FFA Chapter, and include Mr. Jaime VanDyke (left), Ms. Lexi Mueller (center) and Mr. Hayden Kinkade (right).
Back in the Classroom
After retiring from state office, Mueller attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to obtain a degree in agricultural education. Upon graduation, Mueller joined the Olney FFA Chapter as the third advisor in its agriculture program. She has brought valuable skills and knowledge to the table, and part of this is due to her time as a state officer.
To conclude, Mueller’s time as the 2020-21 Illinois Association FFA President helped shape her into the facilitator or teacher she is today. Also, her passion for agriculture and education will thrive not only in her classroom, but beyond it as well.
