Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers

Using Online Networking Platforms for Your Benefit

Guest: Kathryn Teixeira from University California, Davis 

Main Points: 

• Teachers use platforms (like Facebook Groups), to connect to other teachers, find resources, and ask pertinent questions. The presence of such groups boosts the morale of students and provide many other benefits. 
• All news breaks on social media. A social media networking platform is a great place to stay current on what works or is beneficial to teachers. 
• Find what is best for you in your specific state. This kind of networking is supposed to work for you. 

Student Teachers Accommodating Students with Special Needs

Guest: Raegan Rampage and Richie Roberts from Louisiana State University 

“We need to encourage teachers, no matter what career stage they are in, to engage in trainings and meetings to really learn about individual students. This way they can tailor their class to that student.” 

Recognizing the Value in All Students

Guest: Kirby Schmidt from Oregon State University 

Main Points: 

• There is so much we can do to help. Something as simple as having a routine in your classroom provides stability to students. 
• Notice the good and positive things all students do. Make a point to spread positivity in your classroom. 
•  Ask your students what you can do to create an environment conducive to learning. 

Teaching Ag? Or Teaching STEM?

Guest: Nicole Guise from Pennsylvania State University

Main Points:

• As a whole, ag teachers do not feel extremely confident in incorporating STEM content into their lessons. Even though the two subjects parallel.
• Teachers must be intentional to draw connections to STEM in their programs.
• Some focus on STEM during preservice training could increase teachers’ confidence in these subject areas.

Second Generation Ag Teachers

Guests: Milan Pozderac, Ty Casey, and Tracy Kitchel from Ohio State University

Main Points:

• Ag teachers’ biological children are very aware of the teaching lifestyle. They know what they are getting into when they decide to teach.
• There is a lot of pressure to live up to the standards of their ag teacher, but that pressure is almost entirely internal.
• These kids grow up and decide to teach because they saw firsthand how rewarding the profession is.

Winning When You‘re Losing - CDEs and their Impact on Our Students

Here's this week's Best of the Best Rewind!

Are the winning CDE teams the only students really winning? How does losing, and how we treat losing, shape our students? Listen in as the Owl Pellets team talks about getting the most out of being losers (a topic Brian, Marshall, Kate, and Mike know all too much about)!

Virtual Mentoring

Guest: Tiffany Morey from Pennsylvania State University

Main Points:

• Covid-19 forced teachers to become more reliant on technology, mentoring was a major aspect that moved to a digital format.
• Teachers’ self-efficacy online has increased exponentially in recent years, providing new ways to reach students
• The internet is an overwhelming place. We must continue to share worthwhile online resources with our fellow teachers

Metacognition: How Teachers Interpret Student Thinking

Guest: Buddy McKendree from Michigan State University

Youth and Adult Partnerships

Guests: Hunter-Anne Julian and Caleb Hickman from University of Kentucky

Main Points: These partnerships breakdown into four core elements:

• • Authentic decision making
  • Natural mentorship
  • Reciprocal activity
  • Community connectiveness

Extended Contracts

Guests: Kendra Flood and Kevin Curry from Pennsylvania State University

• Teachers should keep a log of total hours dedicated toward completion of the Three Circle Model so they can keep administrators aware.
• Extended Contracts are not for everyone, a teacher can get burnt out!
• Research shows younger teachers are more likely to want extended contracts when compared to more experienced teachers.