John K. Graf

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that Agricultural Education is very important not only in preparing students for continuing education, but it also prepares students for careers in the many different sectors of agriculture. Although Agriculture Education is not considered a core subject, students are able to relate math, science, history, and language arts back to the Agriculture classroom. Most of today's students are able to understand a concept much easier if they can relate it to real life. Agricultural Education classes give us the opportunity to reinforce what is being taught in the core subject classrooms by relating these subjects to Agricultural situations. For instance math is used in formulating a feed ration, or calibrating a sprayer. There is much history in the Agriculture Industry as we would be nowhere without Agriculture. Agriculture is Science. Also we can relate Agriculture to Language Art Classes when writing Agricultural assignments.

    We as Agricultural educators are responsible educating our students and making them become Agriculturally literate. This is done by way of the many Leadership Events and Career Opportunities that the FFA has to offer. Not every student is going to attend a major university. I believe we have to interest those, that are not excited about college, in a career so that they will have a skill to rely on after high school. Just as we need to help those not interested in attending a University, we need to help the college bound student as well. This could be done by assigning more complex problems to this group of students.

Finally, we must remember that Agricultural classes are an elective. Sometimes Ag teachers get caught up amidst all the competition. We must remember that we are here for the students, not ourselves. Although we have a very important job in preparing students for tomorrow, we must remember to have fun along the way.