Never ending fight...

I vividly remember sitting with my high school counselor in her office towards the end of my freshman year. I was about to schedule my classes for the next year. It was a pretty exciting time as I would no longer be a weird freshman (well partly correct). I had already been elected as an FFA officer-- the reporter actually, which may be why it remains my favorite office, who doesn't love being stationed by the flag???

I had already selected classes I wanted on my paper schedule, now all my counselor needed to say was "looks good thanks!" Unfortunately, she looked at my paper, looked and me and blurted out, "you know if you take this class, you won't be on our track for college, so I won't counsel you to be college prep anymore". The class she was referring to was my Ag class. I replied that it was fine and she took a red pen and crossed out my name on her "college prep" list in her scheduling binder. From that day on, she never met with me again to schedule classes. I continued to fill out the papers each year so that I would have all the requirements for a CSU-- by myself. When other kids in my classes got call slips for scheduling, I just dropped off my paper schedule in the office.

Having someone completely ignore my existence for taking a different path than she thought I should, did not hurt my feelings. It really shaped my high school experience, because I knew that not only did other kids think Ag was lame, but adults did too. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoyed college so much? Yes, college life is good but I think I enjoyed the experience because I was around people who had the same appreciation for agriculture that I do. I felt empowered by going to college because I was simply around people who were like me... Well had the same interests, anyway.

I very much appreciate my high school experience because it taught me that if I wanted something, I had to work for it to make it happen. I wanted to go straight to a CSU and therefore, I had to make it happen because I loved agriculture and no adult at my school understood that I could have my cake and eat it too!

I think I had forgotten the subconscious fight I had while in high school? I had forgotten that some people just don't get that agriculture classes are important? I had forgotten that not everyone values people who work hard within the agriculture industry? Until recently. It's an interesting thing to work diligently through high school, then college and even grad school to then have someone tell you that none of it matters. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I know I do a good job for myself and my students. If you disagree-- please stop reading my blog lol.

People forget that every person who attends high school is going to have some impact on our community. Good or bad, high school teachers have the ability to put some pressure on kids to make sure it's a good impact. That is the hope right? Making kids into community minded citizens who will contribute? By not providing different outlets for kids to find what they are good at, we will stifle communities. If we make every kid do the exact same thing and take the exact same classes, some will always feel like they are not good enough. They will live the rest of their life thinking it too. But if kids find out what they are interested in and excel at it, why should we cross their name off the list? Just because it doesn't fit into the cookie cutter mold? Last time I checked, plumbers don't go to a 4 year college, yet they are successful community members whose work is important.

My question is... Why do people who go to school for long periods of time think they are so smart? Now, don't get me wrong, I got my Master's-- but just because I took some classes and wrote a paper doesn't mean I am smarter than a teacher that didn't??? I think anyone who puts in the time to get experience working, is way more knowledgeable than someone who didn't. They understand the process more than a person who learned about it in a classroom. Takes me back to part of the FFA motto, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn..." If teachers, administrators, everyone and anyone took that approach, we might start being successful in the grand scheme of life. We need more people who are learning to work, more learning to be good people, more who want to succeed and more who have dreams.

One of the things I am certain of... Every kid is innately good, it's the processes and influences that change that. Every kid has more potential than they are ever given credit for because some adult somewhere, doesn't recognize it. Get to know kids, do what's best for them to help them succeed! Pretty simple.

These are the reasons I love my job, regardless of someone else's opinion of my qualifications...

The purpose of the classroom...

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The more time I spend in the classroom, the more I become a critic of basic fundamentals of traditional classroom skills like testing. That in itself, is a frustrating statement... "Skills like testing"

Now, growing up I was not a star student, not the valedictorian, not a 4.0 kid (okay one semester I was). But there were so many experiences in high school that taught me the value of education. I learned very early on that I was not a test taker. No matter the time I spent studying, whether 4 hours or 40 minutes, I more often than not, ended up with a C. Because of this realization, I spent many hours completing homework to balance out that C or D average from my test scores. This was the only way I could guarantee (most of the time), a B in the class. Occasionally, I got lucky and managed to squeak out an A but this was less typical. This trend also continued in college, although I found smarter friends (thanks Joe, Kristen, Amber, Brittany) that helped me study in true study groups (occasionally drinking groups). 

Now that I am a teacher, I feel like I have subconsciously minimized the amount of tests I give. I watch each year as students freak out over studying for finals. I don't envy them at all. While there are many careers that have high stress moments, rarely are you going to go into a career that requires final exams. Because of this, I feel like projects are a better representation of student's commitment and follow through, while being a better example of something they might do again in their life. Many careers have presentations to bosses or meetings with clients-- this could be someone's future. Giving kids the freedom to decide on their tailored project, gives them a way to meet the goals while making it personalized. Adding that bit of character to their project, shouldn't that be the goal of education? Who cares if kids can take tests if they are not going to take real tests in life? Now I know, life tests us all but I mean pen and paper or pencil and scantron type tests... 

Do we really care if a student can pass a content specific test in 100 minutes? Shouldn't we care more that a student took time out of their day to research, compile information and figure out how to convey a message to a group peers? Doesn't that teach them more about themselves? Presenting to peers is the hardest test most high school students have... Talking for 8 minutes to the class, is rough for many... Vulnerability during a presentation teaches a kid not only about themselves but the audience also learns compassion and acceptance. Isn't this what we want kids to learn?? How to be better adults? How to work with others? 

While I think content is important (hello I am a teacher), I think the methods are just as important for teaching life skills. So many of our kids will end up with jobs outside their specific interests. But, if we are using content to teach methods, we win. Things like using computers, which shockingly many high school kids cannot do, to creating a collage, canning a jar of jam, programming a scrolling digital sign (sorry Mr. Davis, I can never remember their technical name) are all skills that kids can take beyond the classroom. 

At the same time, giving every kid the same type of test and using it as a factor of learning or proficiency in a content area is just not my cup of tea. This might be my skewed perception based on being one of the first in my immediate family to complete college. However, my education does not translate to being able to be skilled in any area. My mom did not finish college, yet she is the leader of an entire office of people-- some with education far beyond hers. Yet, she has worked at her job for 35+ years and has more first hand knowledge and experience than anyone they could hire at her office. She leads others, handles people, files reports, and works in a professional manner. How many people can say that? Rarely can a recent high school or college graduate come close. While her job may not be a dream to many, that is what we need to teach kids-- it's not always a dream but such is life. Do your job, do a good job, show up everyday... It will lead to success.

We are not doing our due diligence to educate students in high school to be individuals with the dedication and professionalism to be part of the adult workforce, We need more kids that work hard, more creativity, more professionalism, more dedication, more follow through, more compassion, more drive... Do tests teach that? 

High school should be about learning life skills with basic content knowledge and college and careers should be about content or specific areas of study. We have become so consumed with kids getting a jump start to get into college, it starts as early as pre-school. Kids can barely wipe by themselves yet we are worried about sending them in the right path and blah blah blah. 

If we focus on making them better people, learning about how the world works, avoiding temptations, doing more for others than themselves, being committed to something and dedication, they will find the right path without being shoved. 

Final project presentations of life maps...

From being a rodeo groupie as a kid to wanting to be a physicians assistant... Such a fun way to show a life map-- layers of clothes!

Hannah Mae reports... This kid is the next Amy G! 

Finding your "person" on campus...

Just like in Grey's Anatomy, I'm a fan of finding your "person". Just as Meredith and Christina on the show, I think having someone that is your "person" in your office, school or operating room is vital to survival. 

Early last year, I met a new teacher on campus that had a love of life, travel, students and humor. Somehow, we just clicked and the more we laughed together, the more we understood eachother as teachers, and became friends. At some point we had the "we should take a vacation together" convo. Amazingly, we followed through with our plan and settled on a quick nonstop flight to Seattle. Deciding to clear our calendars the beginning of Thanksgiving break, we booked our flights and hotel. I had never been to Seattle, although it's my dad's favorite city.  

We had the best time! We had no real set plans but both got up each morning ready to eat and walk out way through the town. We found the most amazing stores and cafés. We talked about school, history (she's a history buff), politics, life, family and everything in between. It was the type of trip that felt so effortless... I think it's because we just meshed, even though her dinner time conversation was enough to make me blush. 

The amount of sewing we discussed and cheese we consumed would be considered disturbing by most. But the lady at the cheese counter at DiLaurenti's didn't seem to mind our constant tasting requests? She kept asking us to stay longer, other customers even asked our opinions. We probably could work there now with all our experience lol. We also stumbled on a few great bookstores. We spent hours wandering (almost aimlessly) looking at the next books to add to our collections. We also cosumed some amazingly delicious food! For reals, some of the best food places ever! The Crumpet Shop, The Biscuit Bitch, Lowell's, La Spiga, Cupcake Royale... All amazing! 

All in all, it was a great trip! I can't wait to go back! But I think a lot of why the trip was great, was due to the crazy teachin' lady I went with. 

Most Ag teachers learn early on to find people on campus who understand us to befriend. Many are other Ag teachers, for those of us lucky enough to teacher in a 2+ person department. It's evident which departments in the state employ Ag teachers who genuinely like eachother  and seem to work as if they're all well oiled machines. It's because these teachers, unknowingly have found their person. There are always exceptions to the rule, but I feel like if we really looked at Ag departments that are successful, we'd find people that have the similar values, likes, dislikes, family/parenting styles, and even favorite foods. It's one of the best feelings, to have a good or bad day at school and be able to walk into another's classroom and tell them about it and have them understand. Find your person on campus... Take a vaykay!

Beginning our first day as tourists...

Just a little harbor tour... 

Every place does coffee art, this was my favorite!

Space Needle from the glass museum...

Wintertime Slump

It is that time in the school year, where I feel in a slump. For no real reason other than cooler days spent watching Hallmark movies and drinking hot chocolate seem more appealing than teaching. I remember during my credential program a graph they showed for first year teachers.

While I'm not convinced I'm completely at the disillusionment stage. I feel like I'm at the intersection of frustrated and concerned. As with many years, changes on campus have created a "funny" feeling with many individuals. The sense of uncertainty and unknown plagues both the teachers and students. While reading an article about teacher slumps, this paragraph resonated with me:

"We have no precise analytic definition of the teaching slump, let alone a consensus among scholars about how to use the concept for research purposes. And yet it inhabits the inner and public lives of teachers, cutting a wide emotional path between the "bad day" and "burnout." Slumps have a life cycle. Often they're the last station before cynicism: the settled conviction that my passion for teaching and yours for learning are beyond repair." From Savor the Slump article.

While I know that my passion for teaching and students is not beyond repair. I feel like I need to focus on the amazing things my kids are doing and the opportunities they are creating for themselves through Ag education to help pull myself to that rejuvenation status like in the graph.

Amazing things happening now:

1. Canned Food Drive & Sonoma County Secret Santa Program: All my kids are pumped to donate items to those less fortunate. I think this speaks volumes to the type of kids I have in class. They feed my soul with their giving hearts and constant "give more" attitudes.
2. Changes from National Convention: Since attending National Convention, my officers changed our December FFA meeting from making gingerbread houses to a service project of making blankets to donate to the local senior center. They got all kinds of awesome ideas after watching the founder of Kid President's keynote speech. Watch his latest video here: Kid President Speaks from the Heart
3. One of my students created an awesome Ag Education program for grades K-8. She is calling it "Seeds for Students". She goes to the classes, presents about the importance of seeds and food production. Then each student gets to plant a seed to take care of at school and eventually take home. If you have an instagram, you should follow @SeedsforStudents

 

From Kid President, I feel like I just need the reminder to be awesome and treat everyone like it's their birthday...

Living to Serve

As many know, "living to serve" is the last line of the FFA motto. As I sit on a charter bus from Louisville to Washington D.C. I am reflecting back on the many scenes, speeches and discussions from National FFA Convention. 

Both National and State Conventions manage to get inspirational keynote speakers for the kids to hear. One thing that always seems to spark discussion are those speeches that focus on doing for others. They seems to get kids in the mindset to talk about what we can do at home to be better, while doing mostly for others. 

Last night, we watched the founder of Kid President (look it up www.kidpresident.com ), Brad Montague give an unpolished, nervous, completely inspiring speech entitled #ShineGreatness. The conversations this sparked even with just the two girls I have with me was crazy. During the keynote, they kept say "ooh that's good" and "we need to do that" and "how can we make that happen?" To me this is the greatest accomplishment of keynote speakers. Really the art of appealing to high school kids to get them completely pumped, is amazing to me. There's always an added bonus if they become pumped about serving others rather than themselves.

One of my biggest goals each year is to do as much community service, with my kids, as possible. From can food drives, to the Sonoma County Secret Santa Hearts, to working at the Foodbank, I'm always impressed by those who want to do more for others. Now, I might have grown up normal or abnormal, jury is still out, but my mom was always a big proponent of doing community service no matter how big or small. 4-H played a big role with this, always volunteering here and there around our little town. I feel like I've absorbed some of that, because when we do for others, we are much better at being grateful for everything we have.

Following the session and speaker last night, I took my girls to Steak & Shake (one of my faves!). It was busy and packed with regular customers and a whole lot of FFA members. At one point an elderly man, who had seen better times came in a sat down. Quickly following, a young lady from California in full FFA dress, came over introduced herself and told the man she would like him to order anything he wanted and she was going to buy him dinner. She sat and talked with him for a good 15-20 minutes. That is just pure goodness. It made me even more proud that she was from a California chapter. My girls just sat watching and talking about all the things we need to do at our own school to get more people involved in community service and practicing better servant leadership. In that hour, they decided on at least 5 things we can do to involve our chapter starting this month. It was also discussed about how we can't "let the service die" after the holidays because people need help all year.

I can't wait to get back to California, so the girls can explain all their great ideas to the officer team. I think the best part of their ideas are the practicality, because we can make all of them happen.

Brad Montague, talked a lot about how adults want to do good, but kids are innately good and untainted with loving people. They do good and spread greatness just because-- no contest, no prize, no recognition-- just plain old feel good service! I think everyone needs to be more like that!

From Kid President:

"Love changes everything. So fill the world with it."

The girls at the National Day of Service. We worked at the Dare to Care Senior Foodbank which provides 4,000-6,000 boxes of food to seniors each month. 

One of the messages from Kid President "treat everyone like it's their birthday" 

The good things...

Last week, I had a student bring me her "packet" of information for writing a letter of recommendation. Our school provides a handout with primarily questions for students so they can give teachers information before simply asking for a letter. Most students include a resume and a parent "brag" sheet, also provided by the school.

While, I knew this student would most likely ask for a letter of recommendation, I didn't realize she would bring me a 10 page packet of information. The funny part is, I could probably write her a 3 page letter of recommendation without any packet. I have gotten to know her well over the last 3 years and have so many experiences that I could reference to give her a shining letter. I reminded her when she handed me the giant packet that she only gets one page and I would do my best to condense her experiences and growth to that.

After, Emma asked me twice if I read her packet, I figured I probably should get started. She said she was especially proud of her personal statement that was included. Below is what she wrote:

"Growing up on a modest, four acre farm with various chores ranging from feeding my sheep, to watering our fruit trees, I can always relate situations back to life’s common scenes. I see my various sized sheep saundering throughout the pasture carelessly, and my border collie, Woody, herd them into the locked barn every night, like a shepherd. 

I too am a border collie, in every sense of its nature; a guide dog, if you will. I understand the importance of having a shepherd, a guide, a leader and have witnessed the chaos that is caused by the absence of one. When I see sheep aimlessly wandering, whether it be on the soccer field, my school’s hallways, or in my FFA chapter, I refuse to be passive. Much like Woody, I thrive in this position. I have a passion for service, and consequently I find myself holding positions of leadership in just about every aspect of my life. 

I have an inborn fondness for structure, and I believe that there are benefits and opportunities to reap from living life with purpose. I know that every great structure has a foundation, or a leader, and without one, it becomes weak. I have seen first hand the monumental amounts of positive change in a structure because the foundation has been changed and fortified. For example, my freshman year when I first joined my high school’s FFA program, it was just two months after the school year started that my teacher quit. That entire year was a jumbled mess because we had substitutes and volunteers advising our FFA chapter, and had no solid foundation. After recognizing the need for leadership in my chapter, I decided to run for office and was elected Vice President which left me in charge of reviving my chapter’s committees and breathing drive back into the members. Finally, after a long interview process, my high school hired a new full time Agriculture teacher. She immediately hit the ground running, and replaced our makeshift foundation with dedication, hard work, and leadership. I personally witnessed one person’s leadership take a practically non existent chapter, to be state recognized the following year and was able to share that experience along side her. 

Over this last year, I realized that my purpose is to serve my teammates, classmates, and members just like Woody serves my sheep: selflessly and passionately. I have learned that putting others before myself is rewarding and that my efforts and energy are contagious, just like my Ag teacher’s leadership inspired me. I believe leadership is influence and I aspire to instill fervor into those around me. I intend to pursue Law, where I can combine my passions for agriculture and advocacy into a career that promotes initiative and leadership in my community. Using the servant leadership Woody demonstrates as my foundation, I desire to serve as a catalyst in my community, tackling new ideas, cultivating change, and harmonizing the best interests of many."

I was so humbled that she wrote a little about me. It was such a positive reminder that the daily frustrations are eliminated when students (and myself) focus on potential and total growth. High school isn't about the tests taken or the assignments turned in, but the experiences and growth that teenagers go through. While Emma talks about the transformation of the chapter, I have witnessed the transformation of her. She is one of those kids that will leave high school and constantly strive for more and better. She will make a difference in the her community because of the passion and purpose that drives her.

She is right about many things in her statement, but my favorite is "Leadership is influence". Influence to do more, be more and serve more. Who you influence and how you influence people are lasting impressions...

Some of the many experiences, we've had the past 3 years...

 2, soon to be 3 National Conventions...

 A lot of food!

 More food, more importantly silliness even when things don't go our way

More fun...

 Success...

 Recognition!

This is quiet possibly my favorite picture of Emma...

It shows her "fierceness"!

This picture is a compilation of hard work, dedication, intensity and drive to succeed

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!