Observation and Integration: Week #1

First week of student teaching... here and gone!

The time has finally arrived where I can say that I am at Greenwood for good. I have made it to student teaching! And what a journey it has been to get here. Despite the fact that I have not started teaching yet, I feel affirmed that Greenwood is the best placement for me. There are so many excellent ag teachers and ag programs across the state, but little old Millerstown is where I belong.

 

That is not to say that this week wasn't met with some difficulties. I observed many challenges and saw first hand the collaboration of teachers in the school.

The roller coaster of week #1

Monday was Farm Show day! You can read more about that experience in my previous blog. 

Tuesday was my first official observation day. Despite some of those first day jitters, I feel it went fairly smoothly.

Later that day, I was informed of a tragedy in the Greenwood School District. Out of respect to the privacy of the situation and those involved, I will simply say that I was able to observe the position the administration and teachers have in helping the students and the community deal with a tragedy. However, I wasn't able to see this fully play out until the week was over.

Wednesday, the icy conditions meant school was cancelled, but that doesn't mean the ag teachers stop working! Mr. Clark had a meeting with the Farm Safety and Occupational Health Advisory Board on which he serves. This was in the morning at Farm Show, so I joined him for this. I had a glimpse of the many hats teachers wear in their community. Later that night, I returned to farm show with students and Mrs. Pontius this time. These students worked in the FFA Foundation Pizza Booth for a shift. I enjoyed using this time to get to know my students more and truly assume the advisor's role as I helped with the stand. 

Thursday and Friday were both similar to Tuesday in that I simply observed for these two days. 

Overall this week went really well! I feel pretty comfortable with my students and my cooperating center. I am still extremely nervous to take over teaching next week, but I know once I start I will be just fine. And I know I have wonderful cooperating teachers who will be there every step of the way. I've been sitting comfortable so far, but I know I need to push myself to get over my fears and start teaching!

Next week, I will be taking on two classes: Plant Science and Small Gas Engines. 

In Plant Science, I will be starting on my Prevention and Control of Agronomic Pests unit where we will be identifying insect pests, listing the anatomical features of insects, discussing beneficial insects, and identifying weed pests. 

I will be picking up Small Gas Engines from the very beginning of the topic so I will be starting out with Safety and Tools identification unit. Students in this class have been in the shop all year, so I will be doing safety more specific to small engines rather than general safety components, and they have already begun discussing tools for other topics, so some will carry over into this unit. 

In addition, Monday is an in-service day for teachers. Mrs. Pontius and Mr. Clark and I are taking advantage of an archery training session where we will walk away certified to instruct archery. Don't know if I'll ever use that training but certainly something to add to the résumé! 

Keep an eye on my blogs to see how next week goes!

Leaving Thought

"Believe you can and you're halfway there" -- Theodore Roosevelt 

Mid Winter FFA Convention: An Ag Teacher's First Steps

Mid Winter FFA Convention Reflection

Just like a baby taking their first steps or a young child learning to ride a bike, I got to finally step into my role as an ag teacher and advisor. I am now officially a student teacher!

And what better way to begin this journey than a real test! Mr. Clark and Mrs. Pontius both had to arrive at the Farm Show early with students for contests they were competing in. Myself and a teacher aid were in charge of bringing the remaining twenty-four students to the Farm Show. 

Despite some first day jitters, I was fairly confident after travelling to the National FFA Convention with the students and having been to the Farm Show as many times as I have. So there were no issues getting these students where they needed to be.

Upon arrival, some students helped to setup for Mid Winter by organizing chairs and jackets. It never ceases to amaze me how willing the students are to help out and it brings me great joy to see them do so without complaint even though it wasn't their responsibility and they were in official dress hauling chairs around the arena!

Afterwards they got to walk around for a little until the convention started. 

Greenwood is proud to say that we had students succeeding in many areas including:

10 Keystone Degree Recipients

13 Freshman Jacket Award Recipients

1 WLC Scholarship Recipient
1 Ag Issues Team
19 Agriscience Project Participants
1 Chapter Agricultural Display

and 1 student performing the National Anthem

My students are something special! And they work hard to get to where they are too! While winning isn't everything, I hope I can one day cultivate motivated and active leaders in my own FFA chapter. If only it was as easy as Mr. Clark and Mrs. Pontius make it look! 

Big Picture: Farm Show is the perfect way to ease a new teacher in. I feel it starts the experience at something common and comfortable for both the students and myself since we have both attended before. It was a positive experience with zero issues. 

My goal for the next trip is to make sure I write every instruction given to me down! I thought I could remember everything my CTs told me before they left but I forgot to do something before I left. Fortunately it wasn't a big deal, but I now know that even when you think you can remember something, the hustle and bustle of getting students where they need to be can sometimes make you forget things! I learning already!