Conducting SAE Visits... Transplanting Plants!

This week, my cooperating teacher and I conducted an SAE visit. We visited Wyatt who works at a greenhouse and nursery operation. Wyatt works there just about every day and helps with various tasks. 

His main job is to transplant the plants to different locations and help load them or arrange them. He is often driving around on the gator taking plants where they need to go. He doesn't work much with the sales of the plants, just the maintenance work. 

Besides asking Wyatt when would be the best time to visit, we didn't need to prepare anything beforehand. During the visit, we asked him a few questions about what his responsibilities are and what tasks he completes. Throughout the year the plants change and there are certainly busy seasons (especially around the summer and early fall) so he expects to see it get busier in the near future. We also asked if there was anything we could help him with or provide advice on. Wyatt has a fairly simple employment SAE and he has a good handle on his work responsibilities, so he didn't need much assistance. He just keeps track of his hours and income and the tasks he completed in his records for the SAE project. 

It was a nice visit and a good opportunity to see a project that is different from our first round of visits which were focused on production. 

Progress, not Perfection: Week #11

If you're looking for Week #10's blog, it doesn't exist! Unfortunately, due to the State Legislative Leadership Conference (SLLC) on Monday, 3 days of no school because of really bad snow, and our PSU workshop seminar on Friday, I was not in school at all during week 10. However, I can reflect on SLLC a little to make up for that. 

SLLC

This is one of my favorite conferences to go to as a member. There is so much to learn and do and it really is a great time to network with legislators and other chapters. Unfortunately, the conference itself was cut short because of the weather warning. But it was great to see the students get to work and experience the same things I did when I was a member. I enjoyed passing on my knowledge and experiences.

The ag teachers got to help with evaluating proficiencies. Even though it was a really slow process, I was glad to go through it and see what judges look for. There are so many components to SAEs and the AET system that I know I need to learn but having a fundamental understanding of it really helps. And of course, it was neat to see the unique SAEs students have and to keep those in mind for when my students need my ideas in the future. 

On the way home from our short trip, we stopped by the famous Huckleberry plant that is native to Perry County. From what I gather, it isn't very common and I think the only remaining Huckleberry is in the Perry County area. So we got to see a little bit of tradition together!

Semester Motto

Student teaching is filled with its up and downs. I have such a great placement and amazing students and everything I could have asked for. But the only thing that presents challenges for me is.. well, me. I continually strive for perfection, but when I'm met with a challenge I can't figure out or something goes wrong, I get stressed out. I am my biggest critic. I know this is a time of learning and growth as I figure out this teaching gig, but I wish each lesson was amazing and I could stretch and excite students with each lesson. That doesn't always happen unfortunately, but I need to remember to roll with the punches and try my best.

So my motto that I am going to really try to stick to is Progress, not Perfection. I've heard it numerous times in different ways from many people. But my determined, sometimes rather stubborn, and perfectionist mindset doesn't allow me to think of myself as anything less. However, this whole teaching experience has taught me more about myself and what it means to really push myself but also accept that not everything is meant to be perfect. Some things are simply better off being learned from the struggles. The line from the creed: "in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggle of former years" comes to mind. I know E. M. Tiffany wasn't talking about teaching when he wrote this, but I think I'm in the "former years" part of my life. I need to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep trying to get to those "better things". I can do this! Here are somethings I'm learning from, not struggling from this eleventh week of student teaching.

 

Lab procedures

This week, I had my students do a cheese lab where they got to make cheese with an acid (vinegar or lemon juice). Not having done the lab before myself, I was a little unsure of how to walk my students through the lab. The other challenge was trying to set up for a lab when there is another class going on before that one.

Needless to say, the lab could have gone a little better and I could have prepared for it a little better. But the students were still able to make the cheese and I think they enjoyed making food!

Wrapping curds in the cheese cloth

A lot of the time, I get discouraged when I realize that I wasn't as prepared as I could have been or when I miss or forget something. But from each of these hurdles come learning experiences that now I will be able to adjust when I do the lab again in the future. 

On a happier note, in my plant science class, we've been doing quite a bit of hands-on stuff. I've had my students make compost, and had them add fish to their hydroponic systems. We are testing our systems to see if a hydroponic system with fertilizer works better than an aquaponic system. I'm excited to learn with them as we work through our little experiments!

Additionally, one of my areas for improvement is connecting and networking more with the community and teachers. Conveniently, I needed to go get the fish were to use for the system, so I got to meet the pet store owner that my cooperating teachers frequently go to. Now I know I have a helpful resource for any of my fish/aquaponic needs. 

Little moments

There were a few little things that happened throughout the week that I wanted to share that made me feel a little more like a teacher and a little less like a student. On Wednesday, I attended the Greenwood FFA Alumni meeting which was really neat to see because my home chapter doesn't have an alumni. It was neat to see what types of things an alumni can do and hear the support they give by means of scholarships, donations, or just giving of their time to make the chapter a success. It was also a great way to meet others in the community who are from or support the chapter.

Another super cool thing was that I got to say the advisor role while students were running through their opening ceremonies in preparation for the contest! The chapter has a student advisor so for any of the club meeting days, the student said the part. Some of my freshman students in my Agriscience class are participating in the Ceremonies LDE, so they needed to run through it for class. The student who normally says the advisor role wasn't there, so I got to step in. Not only was it a really cool way for me to give feedback to the speakers and then for me demonstrate what it should look like, but I got to say the part! Super cool. Oh and I didn't mess up! (but I did have to look over it once to make sure I had it right). 

Plans for next week

Next week in plant science, I am wrapping up my hydroponics and alternative plant uses unit (we'll still be checking our plants though) to begin the agronomic crops unit. 

In small engines, I will be finishing with the fuel systems and moving onto compression.

In agriscience, we will finish up with the public speaking unit, and eventually move onto parliamentary procedure.

In welding, I am having my students start to work on their final welding project.

In animal bioscience, this is my last week with them. I am finishing up our discussion on dairy products and hopefully ending the unit with making ice cream!

In food science, we will be finishing up our lessons on food additives and have student work on their research project.

In leadership, we just began talking about the Milk Quality and Products CDE, so we will carry that through until the end of the week. 

Leaving Thought

"Progress, not perfection"

Conducting SAE Visits... Weigh-In Day

On Wednesday, January 25th, I got to experience SAE visits. My home chapter never conducted SAE visits to my knowledge, and my SAEs never really needed visited. Needless to say, the idea of teachers going to students' homes is still a little outside the norm for me, but I really do like the idea of home visits and SAE visits. I see many benefits and will make sure to try and do them with my future students.

Mr. Clark and Mrs. Pontius reviewing rate of gain with Mallory for her steer

We visited with 5 different students on a beautiful Wednesday evening after school hours. Each of these students had steer that they were raising to show at the county fair. They had Beef Finishing-Entrepreneurship SAE programs. My cooperating teachers and I went to do weigh-ins and check the rate of gain to make sure they were on the right track.

 

Mitchell weighing his steer with help from his pap

Mallory, Mitchell's sister, weighing her steer with help from their pap

 

We visited each of the students' farms and got to meet the parents and even grandparents and other farm hands.. oh, not to mention the farm dogs and kitties!

Wyatt holding his steer on the scale

In the fall, Mrs. Pontius and Mr. Clark had sign-ups for weigh ins because they couldn't show unless they had the initial weigh in. They would schedule the visits and collect the weights. They save this information to use for future visits as well. This was how they prepared prior to this day's visit.

This time, Mrs. Pontius and Mr. Clark began with weighing the steer. They would calculate the rate of gain and show the students. They would talk about if that was good or not and whether the student should continue with the feed amounts or increase or decrease them. They also would observe the facilities and barns to make sure that the environment was clean and comfortable for the animals and that they had plenty of water and other needs were met. They would then ask if the student had any questions or concerns about their steer and what more they needed to prepare. They would give advice if needed, however these students were pretty advanced as far as understanding how to raise animals and showing animals.

Brooke with her steer, Donald, and Mrs. Pontius observing the steer

The records used were AET. Students completed all of their work in there. They brought with them a folder with previous weights. They added the new weights and the rate of gain for each students' steer. When it comes closer to the fair, they give out a checklist of what is needed in preparation for the fair. My cooperating teachers then grade the SAEs simply by reviewing the AET records and making sure that they are complete.

 

Ethan's sow with day old piglet litter

Ethan with his pigs

I really benefitted from seeing how visits work, but it makes me nervous for when I have to do my own in the future. I've never shown animals and don't know if I could provide great advice for that. While I have worked on a farm and certainly have some knowledge of farming facilities and practices, I don't know if I could easily identify issues or come up with ways to solve problems. Especially for animals which I have never worked with.



Ethan's steer

One student asked my cooperating teachers before we left if they could look at their gilt and determine if she was pregnant. We all went and looked but none of us could give answers to that question. It's neat to see that collaboration and also good to see that even veteran ag teachers may not know everything. It reminds me that I shouldn't be worried as much about not knowing everything about showing and raising animals. However, I feel it is my duty as the educator to know this information so even if I don't know then, I think it's important to learn for myself as well as guide that student to resources and provide the pathway for learning.

SAEs can be tedious and a lot of work, but I think it's experiences like the potentially pregnant gilt which can generate further learning.

A Trip to the Perry County Fair

This weekend, I visited my cooperating center at the Perry County Fair in Newport, PA. I arrived at 4:30, right in time to see the livestock auctions where students across the county proudly showed off their SAE projects in hopes to get a bid for their animal. These students all had Ownership/Entrepreneurship projects.

Perry County Fair, Newport, PA

I was able to observe the roles Mrs. Pontius and Mr. Clark had in the auction as well as helping students prepare for their SAE's. Mrs. Pontius and Mr. Clark like to check on students throughout the summer that are showing and help them with anything they need for their SAE. She especially helps them with training the animals and teaching the students on showing techniques. 

How typical visits go

When there was some down-time, I asked Mrs. Pontius about how she does other types of SAE visits such as research, entrepreneurship, crop farming, etc. She said that her and Mr. Clark would usually go and check on how the students were doing and update them of when their records were due on AET. They would help students if they needed assistance with their projects.

Thomas' project on his lambs

She also talked about how they would seek out their employer and ask them questions like how is the student doing? Is there anything we (the ag teachers) could do to help make the experience better? What skills or topics should we teach to help prepare students for a project or career in your line of work?

I especially liked that last question because not only does it tie in the classroom part of the three-circle model, but it shows the community that they're not just sending the students out to do a project, they want to prepare students and get their resources from the employers themselves.

Procedures during visits

Bethany's project on her rabbit, Bella

Having never been on the receiving end of an SAE visit when I was in ag classes, I was interested to know how they were facilitated and what types of rules they had to follow. Mrs. Pontius and Mr. Clark always travel together to visits to ensure that there is more than one adult with a student. If one of them can't go, they will find school administration or other teachers to go. Mrs. Pontius even mentioned bringing chapter officers or members along to the visit. Teachers would just have to keep in mind that they should drive with more than one student or have the student meet them at the location. Rules aside, having administration visit would show them some of the work that teachers and students do over the summer, ensuring them the need for things like extended contracts. As for students visiting, it might be nice for them to see other types of SAE's or seeing what their peers are working on. 

Both teachers will also only visit the student if there is someone else like a parent present. This ensures the safety and comfort for everyone and also allows the teachers to meet the parents if they haven't already. They might also ask questions about how they can help the parents make the process better.

A little piece of Greenwood

While I was at the fair, I got to meet some of the officers that were helping out with the auction. I asked if I could steal some officers to have them take me around the fair. They eagerly took me around the fair and showed me some of their projects, the FFA stands, and of course the prized food booths. I asked them a ton of questions about their community and things in the area, neighboring schools, and things their FFA officers did. I also met some members who will be my future students so that was neat to start forming those relationships with them. 

The Agriscience Poster Project

I commend myself for introducing myself as Ms. Kane to everyone I met. It felt really strange but I didn't slip up and say my first name, so I think the transition won't be too challenging! However, as I was walking around and interacting with the officers and members, I realized that my role is now changing from visitor to their school to their student teacher, Ms. Kane. I had to take a step back and think about the things I was saying and doing. Of course, I wasn't saying anything wrong, but I wondered what do teachers talk about to their students? How do they carry themselves? How do I handle controversial topics like politics? How do I relate to them not as a peer that's only a few years older than them, but an adult that should be seen as an authority figure? 

Ethan showing his project at the auction

It was definitely a reflective moment as I asked myself those questions. The reality of student teaching is certainly starting to creep in as I feel out my role and how I interact with my students. 

I really enjoyed visiting the fair and seeing the teachers and students as they worked hard to show their SAE projects. I couldn't help but smile at how many times the students sought out the teachers for their questions. I envisioned that one day being me helping my students with all of their concerns, questions, and advice.

 Leaving Thought

"Wake up in anticipation something great is going to happen today" -unknown