Philosophy of Agricultural Education

Every person has a reason why they want to teach.  Some may want to teach because they have a genuine interest in kids, while others may teach because of their love for the subject at hand.  I believe that prospective teachers should consider both prior to entering the teaching profession, because both have major impacts on the lives of their students.  I want to become an agriculture science teacher because of my immense love and respect for agriculture.  I believe that careers in agriculture are some of the most important professions that one can undertake because of the total effect that it has on our nation.  Our agriculture is what sets us apart from other countries.  Without it, we would not only be starving, but also naked as well.  Also, I believe that the National FFA Organization has a premier influence in the lives of its members.  When I share these opinions with other people, they question why I did not choose a major more deeply rooted in the research of agriculture; I respond that as an agriculture science teacher, if I could motivate and inspire two students to pursue careers in agriculture, then I have contributed to the future of agriculture.  Also, my teaching philosophy includes provide a complete agricultural education opportunity, which includes: innovative classroom instruction, a strong and active FFA chapter, and lastly SAE projects.  These beliefs reinforce my goals of building a successful program.  However, I do not define success strictly based on the number of first place judging teams that I coach or how triumphant my show team is; I include things such as: having a positive influence in students’ lives, success in classrooms outside of my own, having students apply what they learn in my programs to other aspects of their lives.