National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA: Program Overview, History and Plans

Program Description

Serving as a National Teacher Ambassador is one of the best parts of my job. I love sharing resources with teachers to help ease the burden of implementing new content in our classrooms. I also love the connections I’ve been able to make with teachers in my state, as well as across the country.

Emma Huber, Wisconsin, National Teacher Ambassador for FFA

The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA (teacher ambassadors) is a group of agriculture educators currently in the classroom. They are trained to answer questions and provide training related to the various educational resources and experiences the National FFA Organization offers. A group of qualified teachers is selected each spring and serve in the program from June to June.

Four Primary Objectives Guide the Program

• Answer questions from agriculture educators and provide them with training and regular communications related to the various educational resources and experiences National FFA offers.
• Provide relevant feedback from the educational field to National FFA.
• Serve as an advocate of the organization to teachers within home states and others across the country.
• Advance teacher ambassadors’ and other teachers’ professional growth.

Teacher Ambassadors Benefit From Professional Growth Opportunities

• Ambassadors participate in three days of intensive training with additional group or independent work on non-session days. During their training, they learn about and collaborate on educational resources, and they receive facilitation and professional development training.
• Ambassadors deliver multiple educational presentations and gather feedback from participants on how to improve their presentations.
• Throughout the year, ambassadors brainstorm and share ideas with teachers from across the country.
• Ambassadors are recognized by their peers as subject matter experts and are relied on for expert advice on FFA educational resources.

Thank you to each of the donors who support this amazing program! This program has had a profound impact on my career as an agricultural educator and is one of many reasons why I continue to work as an agriculture educator in today’s climate. This program has made me rediscover why I became an agriculture teacher in the first place. Thank you for all that you do to support the profession!

Tyler D’Angelo, North Carolina, National Teacher Ambassador for FFA

Where We’ve Been: History and Accomplishments

• Year 1 (2016-17): 24 ambassadors representing 24 states. The first National Teacher Ambassador for FFA summer training was hosted at the National FFA center in June 2016.
• Year 2 (2017-18): 24 ambassadors representing 18 states.
• Year 3 (2018-19): 24 ambassadors representing 17 states and 279 teachers reached through workshops.
• Year 4 (2019-20): 38 ambassadors and mentors representing 20 states and 939 teachers reached through workshops. In October 2019, Herman and Bobbie Wilson made a major gift toward the program through the National FFA Foundation.
• Year 5 (2020-21): 59 ambassadors and mentors representing 36 states and 956 teachers reached through workshops. In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and summer training moved to an online format.
• Year 6 (2021-22): 83 ambassadors and mentors representing 39 states and 1,326 teachers reached through workshops. In February 2021, teachers with at least three years in the program could apply as a program mentor, and the program surpassed 100 applicants. In 2021, Goodheart Wilcox Publishers came on board as a corporate partner.
• Year 7 (2022-23): 71 ambassadors and mentors representing 38 states; term began June 2022.

Advancing Teachers’ Professional Growth

In 2021-22, there were 83 teacher ambassadors. Eight were mentor ambassadors, meaning they have served as an ambassador for at least three years and were selected by National FFA staff to support other ambassadors as their mentees. At the end of their year-long term:¹

• 100% of the 2021-22 teacher ambassadors told us that the program enhanced their ability to grow professionally. Specifically, ambassadors identified 1. gaining knowledge of FFA resources, 2. becoming a resource for other teachers, and 3. networking/meeting other agriculture educators as ways they grew professionally.
• 73% told us that their experience was “much better” when compared to other professional development opportunities.
• Ambassadors assigned the program a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Before being an ambassador I had no idea the different variety of resources teachers had access to from National FFA. I enjoyed learning about those resources and then being able to share that learning with others in my profession.

K.C. Dal Zin, Connecticut, National Teacher Ambassador for FFA

I’ve never loved [professional development,] but this was the best thing that I’ve done to make me a better ag teacher. I have applied so much of what I’ve learned and I know [that] it’s made me a better teacher.

Amy Whitten, Virginia, National Teacher Ambassador for FFA

Educational Resource Sessions

Teacher ambassadors are expected to present a minimum of one educational session about educational resources and opportunities on behalf of FFA. Of the 1,326 attendees at sessions presented by teacher ambassadors during the 2021-22 term, 98% said the sessions were worth their time.²

• 96% of attendees rated the session as good or excellent.
• 90% of attendees said that the facilitator was interactive or extremely interactive.
• 98% of attendees said that the facilitator was knowledgeable or extremely interactive.
• 81% of sessions were reported as taking place in person.

Proven Over Time: Returning Teacher Ambassadors

The National Teacher Ambassador for FFA program launched in 2016, with 24 ambassadors serving that term. Even when commitments or circumstances require an ambassador take a break from the program, they are always encouraged to reapply later and often do. All National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA are encouraged to reapply to the program each year.

• One currently-serving mentor ambassador has been part of the program since 2016.
• One currently-serving mentor ambassador has been part of the program since 2017.
• One currently-serving mentor ambassador has been part of the program since 2018.
• Five currently-serving mentor ambassadors have been part of the program since 2019.
• Four currently-serving teacher ambassadors have taken one or more years off from service and reapplied.
• 71% of applicants for the 2022-23 year had served previously as teacher ambassadors.

Where We’re Going: Plans for the Program

The 2022-23 Teacher Ambassadors Represent 38 States

There are 71 teacher ambassadors serving in the 2022-23 term, which began in June 2022. Eight of these are mentor ambassadors, meaning they have served as an ambassador for at least three years and were selected by National FFA staff to support other ambassadors as their mentees.

Fast Facts About the 2022-23 Teacher Ambassadors

• 85% are former members of the National FFA Organization.
• 90% are members of the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
• 44% are CASE certified and CASE lead teachers.
• 15% are alternatively certified teachers.³
• 79% identify as female, 20% identify as male, and 1% chose not to disclose their gender identity.

Starting Off Strong With Summer Training

The 2022-23 teacher ambassadors attended a one-week virtual training to learn about their role as an ambassador, National FFA resources, how to prepare and deliver educational sessions or workshops, and other important aspects of being an ambassador.

Highest-rated aspects of training after training was completed:

1. I know what my role is as a National Teacher Ambassador for FFA.
2. I understand what the expectations are of serving as a National Teacher Ambassador for FFA.
3. I feel comfortable providing feedback to National FFA staff.
4. I am able to advocate for National FFA programs, opportunities and resources.
5. I feel comfortable communicating with other teachers in my role as a teacher ambassador.

Aspects with the greatest increase in rating from before and after trainings were completed:

• I understand the current projects of National FFA. (increased .94 units)
• I understand the current initiatives of National FFA. (increased .73 units)
• I know what opportunities are available from National FFA for our stakeholders. (increased .71 units)

Ripened With Wisdom: Mentor Teacher Ambassadors

The 2022-23 National Teacher Ambassador for FFA term will focus on the mentor/mentee system within the program. Mentor ambassadors have a role during National Teacher Ambassador for FFA training, support mentees during training and throughout the year, and participate in mid-year touch-base calls with National FFA staff.