Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers

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.

Alternatively Certified Ag Teachers

Guest: Kellie Claflin from Virginia Tech University

The Importance of Mentors

Guest: Brandie Disberger from Kansas State University

Main Points:

• Fresh teachers can fear what they do not know. It’s ok to ask questions!A formal mentor can go a long way.
• Find someone that will constructively reflect with you.
• One mentor does not fit all. Build yourself a network of people you can go to for different things.

Why do Ag Teachers Stay Teaching?

Guests: Jay Solomonson from Illinois State University

• The presence of a support system is one of the biggest factors that keep teachers in the classroom. This can be support from administration, family, or both.
• Teachers need recognition too. Everyone wants their hard to work to be acknowledged in some way.
• Teachers want to make an impact on students. The more they are prepared and knowledgeable in their subject, the more their students learn.

Organizing Agricultural Mechanics Labs

Guests: Erik Johnson, Alicia Lund, Brooke Theil from North Dakota State University

• Always be prepared when requesting funds to purchase equipment. Have resources ready to validate your program’s needs.
• Keep a running list of needs. An administrator may find money that needs to be spent at any time.
• Teachers need to play the long game. Plan on acquiring equipment over time