Our speakers were Jim Aschwanden and Hugh Mooney. While Ag teachers hear from these two quite often, most administrators rarely do. Both men talked about the current state of the state in regards to funding, CTE and agriculture education. Recently, Ag teachers in the state have had some pleasant news and have been able to breath a sigh of relief when funding is discussed. Among all things presented on Thursday, one thing that really stuck with me is when Jim began talking about the "why".
I have watched Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" and "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" which both go in detail about the "why" But Jim's explanation to administrators made it so real. He talked about a bulls-eye of three circles. The largest circle being WHAT, the second being HOW and the center of the bulls-eye being WHY.
Jim tried to explain how most administrators know what Ag teachers do... They teach right? (In addition to many other things) Some administrators understand the how of what Ag teachers do, including spending countless hours working with students outside of class time. His tip to administrators, was to find out why Ag teachers do what they do. For many Ag teachers, this is why we spend countless hours with students, why we are slaves to applications and fair animals, why we grade tests and speeches in any random place we can find, and why we drive for hours to any location just for a contest or meeting.
For me.... The why is something I think about on a regular basis. Sometimes it comes up early in the morning or late at night when I am scolding myself "WHY the eff am I doing this?!"
But more times than not, I am quickly reminded that my crazy kids are what keep me sane (and crazy) and keep me involved and constantly striving for more and better. High school kids in all their glory are without a doubt the greatest little humans and they are the reason WHY I do what I do. I wanted to become an Ag teacher, not because I had the best experience ever (it wasn't bad, but wasn't great), but more because I want my students to have the opportunities that I didn't have.
Administrators someday will learn about the why of Ag teachers... Because Ag teachers are a rare breed, for many reasons. You have to be more than a classroom teacher, it becomes your life. Being a teacher and learner everyday is ingrained in everything Ag teachers do.
I teach because of these hooligans... And because of the great things they are capable of... I teach to give them the opportunities that I didn't have...
