Mark Anderson (@duecehorse1) National Agriscience Ambassador Shines at National Convention! #goFFA #TeachAg

Mark Anderson (@duecehorse1)

When you become a part of the Agriculture Education family, there are so many opportunities for you to grow professionally and personally! 

Mark Anderson (@duecehorse1), an Agriscience teacher at Elizabethtown, took that additional step to further expand his education by becoming a National Agriscience TeacherAmbassador! Through his hard work and dedication to agriculture education, he was selected to present a workshop to several teachers around the nation and on stage during one of the sessions at National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Mark Anderson speaking on stage during a session

His ambassador position began when he learned about it through Mike Clark, Greenwood’s Agriscience teacher, and through the NAAE website. He was looking for something to “re-spark” his passion for agriculture. Through several applications that asked about his philosophy of teacher is and how he incorporates inquiry based learning in his classroom, he was selected to become a National ambassador! 

During the summer months, his training started where he would attend a one week work camp that started when the sun came up and wouldn’t be over till the sun went down! They learned about inquiry based learning, teaching strategies, and much more. 

Pj Simon (black shirt and pants) with her National Ambassadors

When asking Mr. Anderson what would be some advice he would have for future and present teachers, he stated “Step out of your comfort zone and don’t ever be discouraged when trying to reach your goals!” Showing his passion of agriculture throughout the week, he was truly able to teach how we can have our students grow as learners! 

As P.J. Simon (@pj_Simon), DuPont’s Program Administrator, says, “It’s not about changing the curriculum, but the way you teach which get’s the students to ask the right questions.” Overall the week was a success for highlighting our student’s success, and highlighting our outstanding teachers nationwide. 

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

 Olivia Murphy-Sweet
Student Blogger

Teach Ag! Avenger

Twitter Handle- @OSweetMurph

 2016 Agricultural Education Student Teacher