Happy National Teach Ag Day

September 24th is National Teach Ag Day!

I am so grateful for the many Ag teachers that have influenced my life. Being an Ag teacher is a blessing and a curse. It is a sun up to sun down job, that sometimes ends in frustration. Other times it is fun, inspirational, and amazing to watch kids grow from nervous but excited freshman to confident and polished seniors.

I'm not sure many jobs are able to watch such a rapid positive change of teenagers. I think frequently about how kids are my favorite part of being an Ag teacher (they should be, right?!). I'm not sure I'd stay up till midnight helping students with presentations at State Conference or get up at 3:30am to take students to Greenhand Conference, if it weren't for the kids. I see potential in many of my students to become Ag teachers, and mostly they have no clue. The ones with the passion, consideration, dedication, and love of agriculture. 

Deciding to be an Ag teacher, always seemed like a back up plan while growing up. It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I decided it would become my future career. I can say confidentiality that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It has definitely been the best thing I've done in my life. Fortunately, I'm met some great people along the way. They have become inspiration, guidance, and source of reason in many situations.

Thank you to each of the Ag teachers that have impacted my life by mentoring, and inspiring me to always do better. 

Here are a few!

These are the reasons I'm an Ag teacher:

Compassion

Silly Faces & Burrito Bonding

Teamwork & Trust

Occasional Naps from hard work 

Competitive Spirit (at John's Incredible Pizza)

Impeccable Style! 

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... 

The ones you always remember...

At every school, there are always those kids you find that make you feel like you've found your purpose. You know the ones that learn a lot, grow the most, make an effort to keep in contact after they've graduated and those you feel like you made a difference with. 

This weekend, I was fortunate enough to travel with students to the Chico State Field Day. It's always one of my favorite contests as they do a great job hosting. This year I felt very lucky to talk with multiple past students who were helping run contests. Two were even on judging teams with me while they were in high school. 

It's these students who really remind me why I love my job. They both were very successful in high school. I had close relationships with both because they were on my judging teams. But their success was not typical... They may not have won a bunch of champion livestock ribbons or tons of 1st place speaking ribbons, but they had more heart and humor than most kids. Whether in FFA, judging, speaking, showing or the classroom, these girls were the type that made you love the career of Ag teaching. 

Although I had them while teaching at different schools, one at Elk Grove and one at Santa Rosa, these girls are very similar. They put 150% into everything they did. They loved FFA, had a passion for their animals (horses and rabbits-- some of my favorites too), worked to be friends with everyone, and most importantly, laughed a lot. 

It was a pleasant surprise to talk with both of them Saturday. I'm glad to see they have continued to be successful in college (now running contests). It reminded me that at the end of the day, when all the classes have ended and shows are finished, that the little things don't matter. It's more about the experience and time spent with these kids that make a difference in their lives (and mine).

It might be a tall blonde who judged horses or a quiet city kid who aced rabbit reasons or someone entirely different that reminds you of why you, do what you do. But at the end of the day, it's not about all the kids who walk in and out of the classroom. It's about the ones who walk right into your heart and stay for forever. I'll always think of these girls and their dedication to what they do... They drive my focus and dedication. They are the reason I never give up...

Keep the rest of them... Give me the passionate, funny kids and I will do this job for the next 50 years...

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Maya Angelou