Be the Impact: Cole Payne

West Virginia is home to some wonderful agriculture teachers and FFA advisors, and I am proud to say that I had the privilege of being a student of one of them: Cole Payne.

Many people know him as the Upshur County FFA agricultural mechanics teacher, but to me he is so much more than that. I have never been a person who was into building things or learning about tools, so that difference definitely shaped the relationship I had with him. When I first started high school, I didn’t talk to him much. Things were kind of weird, and I just assumed that was how it was when people had different interests.

As time went on, I began to get to know him more, especially when I took one of his classes for the first time. Mind you, I was the only girl in the ag mechanics class, but he never failed to include me. He understood that I needed a little extra time and had a lot of questions, and he never judged me for that. By my senior year, I started and ended my day with him. He would always joke about my tardiness, but he also knew I was trying my best. Even with my absences, he still let me show up on exam day and somehow turn sorting bolts into my final exam. Not exactly what most people picture when they think of finals, but honestly it was probably the most on-brand thing I could have done.

Over time, I became more comfortable opening up to him about things going on at home and school, whether it was money or trying to decide which career path to take. He never made decisions for me, but he always gave advice and helped me see different perspectives, reminding me that no matter what I chose, things would work out. No matter how serious the situation was, he always knew how to lighten the mood and make a few jokes. I believe everyone needs a person like that in their life.

So, I can confidently say that Mr. Payne has made a positive impact on my life and on so many others. He is truly one of my favorites, and I would not have made it through high school without him.