How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching for 15 years.

How are you involved with Agriculture in the Classroom?
I have been involved with Ag in the Classroom for several years through workshops, online and print resources, and networking opportunities. I greatly value the support I have been given.

Any exciting new plans for the 2009-2010 school year?
We are expanding our use of agriculture in our forensic biotech career pathway program through plant cloning experiments, cuttings labs, as well as developing new kits for use in local elementary schools. Our year four students will be doing authentic research in cooperation with our local Ag Science Center. We also will be offering ag science teacher training this summer that will include visits to local agribusiness, ag lab work, and a summer science academy for at-risk students.

What is the most surprising/challenging question a student has ever asked you?
Years ago, a student once told me that books were boring and written work was not fun. As a new teacher, I believed that following the adopted curriculum was the key to good teaching. This student provoked me to think about other ways to meet my students’ interests. Ever since, I have looked for alternative ways to engage learners. Using what I have learned from Ag in the Classroom has helped me to do this.

How connected are your students to agriculture in general?
I hope so more when they leave my class than when they get here. I find that there is a tremendous need for them to be educated about agriculture. What worries me is that they don’t understand the vital support our nation’s food supply system must have to continue to feed us, employ us and make our nation more secure. If not, as uninformed voters, they will make decisions that are unsupportive of the agriculture industry.

What three words would you use to describe your teaching philosophy?
Overcome, adapt, improvise!

What is the most important advice you could give to a new/aspiring educator?
Dare to think outside of the norm, put time into developing your curricular expertise, and don’t be afraid to excel. Some will be threatened by your desire to go beyond. Let them be the culls, and you the blue ribbon teacher. Your students deserve the best!