Have an impact...

I've been in school almost a week now. This was the first year I really wasn't nervous. I still can't figure out why? I feel like this year I should actually be nervous, since I'm teaching 2 new classes, a modification of an old class, have 2 new administrators and a new school secretary. Everything about that sentence gives me a hair raising chill. But I wasn't nervous on Day 1... We're almost to Day 6 and I'm still not, maybe I'm losing it once and for all? 

This week I have spent a lot of time reflecting on Ag teaching, for various reasons. With the lack of nerves, increased preparation time, and a wave of new students I have been thinking a lot why I love being an Ag Teacher. And not just a teacher, but an Ag teacher specifically. I got to thinking about all the ways that an Ag teacher is one of the coolest teachers you could be. I mean being a math or history teacher is neat, but with being an Ag Teacher, it seems like there are so many more opportunities to have an impact on students. 


On the second day of school, I was included on an email about a retired Ag teacher who had passed away. A teacher that was teaching while I was in high school. Actually, the only year I raised a lamb for fair (almost 20 years ago), I purchased it from him. That added to my thinking, how many professions, email when someone has passed away? How many English teachers email other English teachers in another county to let them know? 


Days following Mr. Randrup's passing, my Facebook was filled with shocked, sorrowful and truly upset messages by community members, colleagues, and past students. While I never had him as a teacher, I watched him at fairs and FFA events and the ever lovely MCJLAC meetings. I could empathize with every message written. It made me think how much of an impact he had on these people's lives. 


It's always nice as a student to feel like you have a personal connection with a teacher. And while there's always an exception, I'm just not sure General Ed teachers have that kind of connection on such a consistent basis. There's always a group of students that teachers are drawn to each year, the ones who spill their guts about anything and everything (even when asked not to). But I feel like as an Ag teacher, that's all my kids??  Even my non typical Ag kids will show up at break just chat. Kids always wanna tell a story or chat about their favorite this or that. 


For Mr. Randrup, the past student Facebook messages and emails from teachers in the surrounding counties offering help, make me realize being an Ag Teacher could be the greatest profession on earth! 


Okay, maybe not the greatest on earth but pretty darn close. 
This is always how I'll remember one of my favorite Ag Teachers... Serious look, Willits hat, flannel shirt, ready to work...

Back to school!

Since I haven't written a blog since June, I figured I needed to give an update about the summer. 

The month of July and beginning of August was consumed by fairs. I never wrote a blog, not because the long days at the fair weren't short of inspiring, but mostly because  cell phone batteries can't keep up with the awesomeness. I literally was at a fair each week for the past 4 weeks. It began with State Fair, rolled into Sonoma County then Ukiah Fair last week. Each is so different, with their own positives and their own set of drama. It's amazing to me that each year, no matter the preparation, there is always something that doesn't go quite right. 

From the time I was little, Ukiah Fair was my fair. It was my vacation, my summer, my reunion, my ideal. I thought when I went to college, came back and worked it and even moved on to bigger and better fairs, I would find the perfect fair somewhere else. Truth is.... It's not possible. Ukiah Fair is still my favorite, the people are still wholesome, the kids are still respectful, and the majority still have realistic goals and expectations. To some, I'm sure it's a po-dunk fair, but this was my 20th year attending as either an exhibitor or leader and I know it has grown, changed in so many positive ways. 

As an Ag teacher, sometimes summers are nonexistent. But thankfully, I get to enjoy a working summer at places like Ukiah Fair. The people are what make it amazing, from the junior livestock auction committee, to the leaders and advisors, to the kids, and dare I even say the parents... I swear, most of them are pretty great. 

Since we head back to school next week, I decided a short vaykay was necessary. Another little trip to the Happiest Place on Earth is calling my name. I rarely give myself credit for things, but after this summer, I'm going and not feeling bad at all! Lol 

Why do I love fairs???

Kids helping kids... 

Kids finding success...

Kids teaching little kids... 

Kids learning new tricks... 

Kids having fun doing what they love...