Seeing the light come on…

In honor of Teach Ag Day, we’ve invited a few of the former Ag teachers we have on staff at the National FFA Center to tell us what makes teaching ag such a rewarding experience. Here are some thoughts from Kevin Keith, Local Program Success Specialist.

Kevin is from Northwestern Wisconsin and graduated from Bruce High School in 1974 where he was actively involved in Vocational Agriculture and the FFA for four years.  He served as an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor at Denmark School in Denmark, WI for seven years. During his years as Ag Ed Instructor and FFA advisor the Denmark FFA Chapter grew to more than 470 members and the FFA Alumni grew to over 600 members. He also served as State Agricultural Education Consultant in Wisconsin for 11 years before joining the National FFA Organization in 1996.

My favorite memories of teaching agriculture come from the times I worked with students on new concepts or information, especially when they had trouble understanding or making that “thing” work properly.

Why Teach Ag?

In honor of Teach Ag Day, we’ve invited a few of the former Ag teachers we have on staff at the National FFA Center to tell us 

what makes teaching Ag such a rewarding experience. Below are some thoughts from Jim Armbruster,Senior Relations Specialist.

During his career, Jim taught agricultural education in Marana and Yuma Arizona, spending 19 years as a classroom teacher. Jim earned his Bachelor of Science (1979) and Master of Science (1992) degrees at the University of Arizona.

Jim and Cindy have been married for 27 years, raising 4 children of their own and providing a safe home for four additional foster children.  All of the children raised in the Armbruster family have been or are active members of the National FFA Organization, with the exception of his 5 year old granddaughter–she’s too young, unfortunately, but is off to a good start raising horses and hedge hogs of her own!

Teacher by Choice, not by Chance!

In honor of Teach Ag Day, we’ve invited a few of the former Ag teachers we have on staff at the National FFA Center to tell us what makes teaching ag such a rewarding experience. Here are some thoughts from Dale Crabtree, Director of the Convention and Events Management Division.

Dale is from Southwestern Arizona and graduated from Kofa High School in 1974 where he was actively involved in Vocational Agriculture and the FFA for four years.  He served as an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor at Antelope Union High School in Wellton, AZ for eighteen years. During that time, the program evolved from a straight production agriculture program to a diversified agricultural business/college preparatory program.

As a former teacher of agriculture, I have truly grown to appreciate what each and every one of you does on a daily basis. I would hope that all of you know what powers you have, the powers to impact the lives of individuals who will guide the future of not only agriculture but also the world. It is critical that each of us realize that you truly do change lives of young people! Remember, we are a teacher by choice not by chance.

Join the Teach Ag Day Virtual Celebration!

On March 15, our friends at NAAE are hosting the first ever National Teach Ag Day virtual celebration. It will be streamed live from at Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California.

During the celebration, you can hear remarks from National FFA president Ryan Best and tour Buena Park’s agriculture program.

You’ll also be able to use Facebook or Twitter to submit questions to a panel of agricultural education experts about majoring in agricultural education, getting a job as an agricultural educator, and what it’s like to teach agriculture.

The celebration will take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. PST on Thursday, March 15 at http://www.naae.org/teachag/live2012.php