When I grow up... A Continuous Journey of Self-Discovery

When I grow up... A Continuous Journey of Self-Discovery

Blog #1

Introduction

In introducing myself as an Agricultural and Extension Education major studying at the Pennsylvania State University, I get asked by many "non-aggies" (non-agricultural majors) what in the world that is. When I describe that I get the unique opportunity to teach students about agricultural production, specifically topics of plant and animal sciences, they still have a slightly puzzled look upon their faces. I finally break it down and simply say I want to teach agriculture in a high school and leave it at that.

This is not to diminish those that have never heard of agricultural education in any way. In fact, it energizes me to be able to explain what I am spending four years and an accumulation of school loans on. 

And how could I hold not knowing what ag ed is against them? A quick Google search tells me that there are somewhere around 500 public schools and thousands of private schools or other types of schools in Pennsylvania alone. Out of those, there are only somewhere around 160 schools that have an agricultural education program. So it's not surprising in the least that many people are unaware of its existence.

Many times, my explanation gets followed by this amazed comment of: "Wait... you can do that? And there's a major that is centered solely on ag education?" to which I reply yes! and then continue to tell them about how I got interested in it and why I am so excited about student teaching. Students and adults alike are always intrigued. 

My beginnings

However as much as I am inspired and motivated to teach agriculture one day, I was not always on the path to education. In fact, ask junior and maybe even senior high school Miranda what she thinks she wants to do and she'll tell you that ag education is secondary to what she wants to go. Rewind any time before then and she'll tell you that education let alone that of the agricultural variety was not on her list of potential careers to have. 

Never having been raised on a farm, I recall wanting to enter into cosmetology which was the profession my mother worked. But my heart wasn't in it and even in 7th grade when I had made this decision I felt that it wasn't right. I didn't know what was "right" for me but looking back, I realize that was the first time I mentally decided what I didn't want to do. 

The First Steps

Joining ag sciences in 9th grade opened my eyes to the many facets and complexities of agriculture and more importantly deepened my understanding of leadership skills. But I didn't think much of it past my classroom doors--yet. I was interested in psychology and enjoyed the thought of working with students to help them through their problems or give them guidance. So my later high school years were geared towards that. But again I questioned over and over if this was my desire or my interest. Of that I wasn't sure.

National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN 2011

My own guidance counselor had suggested to me that in order to make myself more marketable as a counselor, I should also get my teaching certification. She suggested doing my undergrad as an education major and later return to get my degree in counseling. Wanting to do just that, my journey began to lead me towards education. 

I had done what we call in my high school Peer Tutoring. This is a class where we basically co-teach or teach under the supervision of a teacher for the entire semester. We learn how to adapt to different student learning styles and we sometimes help with making worksheets, teaching lessons, and going over materials as if we were the teacher. I had done this with my agricultural sciences teacher. I gained quite a bit from the experience and perhaps that ignited the small flame of desire to teach. I enjoyed it so much I did it again with my Spanish teacher the following semester!

A Well Oiled Machine

2012-2013 PA State FFA Officer Team

Upon high school graduation, I ran for State FFA Office and was elected to the position of Treasurer. I encountered many students who I was thrilled to work with and learned that I had a bit of a talent for getting into the front of the classroom and leading lessons, workshops, and activities. But I didn't think I was anything special until my one teammate turned to me at a chapter visit one day and said, "Miranda, you should do the reflection and wrap up. You're always so good at it and make good connections". Really? I thought. I mean I thought I was fine but I didn't think I was exceptional by any means. When my teammate said this, I began to really evaluate how I did reflections and then how I taught in general. I finally started recognizing my knack for teaching. 

I also crossed paths with many agricultural science teachers and saw the camaraderie between them all. I saw that they were constantly attending conferences, workshops, and performing challenging tasks as ag teachers or serving in local, state, or national roles. Never before had I seen teachers doing so much. They were so involved in ag education in and out of the classroom and not because they had to but because they wanted to. 

Conrad Weiser FFA members

I noticed my speech on what I wanted to do after I graduate changed from "I am pursuing a degree in agricultural education in hopes of acquiring a teaching certification, but following this I hope to pursue further education in counseling..." to: "I want to be like that... I want to teach agriculture and inspire students to develop leadership skills and career ready skills while also enlightening those like me who had never been raised on a farm or with agriculture". And my how my world had changed once I made that decision and fully engrossed myself in the idea of pursuing ag ed not as a stepping stone toward another career but as the career.

Today's Motivation; Tomorrow's Destination

As I learn more about ag education I become more and more motivated to teach. My brain itches at the idea of being able to teach lessons about things I truly believe in and enjoy. I get anxious and excited and nervous all at the same time when I think of myself in front of a classroom. 

2013 State FFA Convention
(Left to Right) Ag Ed teacher Mrs. Nicole Weaver, previous classmate and teammate Maris Wilson,
Miranda Kane, Ag Ed teacher Mr. Harold Dietrich

Some young children know what they want to do when they grow up and end up pursuing that career and I find that amazing, I really do. And in some ways, I'm jealous of them because they didn't have to go through the hassle and confusion of not knowing and being forced to choose something. But in other ways, I'm grateful that I had other paths in mind, some that my heart wasn't into because when I finally did land on what I truly want to do, agricultural education, I was able to recognize what it felt to have an interest, a desire, a motivation for my future career. 

Current Pathway

I am now on the track toward student teaching in the spring of 2017 at Greenwood High School under the supervision of Krista Pontius and Michael Clark, both of which will be wonderful mentors and perfect examples of the type of teacher I hope to one day become. 

My Future Blogs

Louanne Johnson, Author of Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains

Check back in for my evaluation of my summer reading book: Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains by: Louanne Johnson, and keep up with me as I journey this next year in pursuit of a degree in Agricultural Education!

Leaving Thoughts

"Don't struggle to be a better teacher than everybody else. Simply be a better teacher than you ever thought you could be." --Robert John Meehan