Madelyn Bentz Climbs Mountains for Agricultural Education

When the pandemic gave her a mountain to climb, this "little adventure every day" senior in Agricultural and Extension Education was glad she was no stranger to hiking. Where others may have stumbled on the uncertain path that COVID-19 carved out of her senior year, Madelyn (Maddie) Bentz made herself a cup of whipped coffee, laced up her hiking shoes, and started toward the top, preparing herself for her Student Teaching Experience and career after graduation. 

Maddie's journey in Agricultural Education began with her enrollment in Seacoast School of Technology in Exeter, New Hampshire. In this two-year program, Maddie learned everything plant and animal science from her Agricultural Educator Ms. Anne Demarco. She explains, "I came into Ag Ed and FFA not knowing much about agriculture, but through her, I was exposed to a whole new world that I fell in love with instantly". Alongside her classroom instruction, Maddie was an active member of her FFA chapter and competed in twelve different Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events. She also held five state titles in Agriculture Sales, Agriculture Communications, Horse Evaluation, Agriculture Issues, and Employment Skills. In addition to competing in events, Maddie was on the leadership team for her chapter, then served as Chapter President, was recognized as the Outstanding Chapter Officer her senior year, and was in the top four for Supervised Agriculture Experience placement for Equine Science. 

After a strong recommendation from Ms. Anne Demarco, Maddie decided to pursue an undergraduate degree at Penn State to become an Agricultural Educator. While at Penn State, she took part in three specific experiences that she feels greatly benefitted her as a future teacher. First, Maddie's role as a Shaver's Creek Outdoors School Counselor helped to revitalize her passion for experiential learning. Along with fifteen other counselors, she helped to educate fifth graders about the natural world. The second experience that helped to prepare her for her career was working as an Orientation Leader and Student Staff Coordinator for Penn State. Maddie says, "These two jobs have changed me for the absolute best and have reinforced my passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, honed in my group facilitation skills, and refined my soft skills with communication and working with people in general". Lastly, Maddie was able to spend a week in Belize as an Agricultural and Extension Education student. This gave her the opportunity to understand indigenous, small holder farmer, large scale production, and global agriculture, equipping her with a unique perspective on the scale of the industry. With these three experiences to guide her, Maddie is ready to scale the next part of her journey in Agricultural Education; her Student Teaching Experience.

This spring alongside Ms. SaraBeth Fulton and Ms. Sherisa Nailor, Maddie will be Student Teaching at Big Spring High School. "I chose Big Spring because I was looking for a program that is strong in PA FFA so that I could understand FFA at the state and chapter levels, seeing as I am someone from out of state". While completing this experience, Maddie is looking forward to expressing her love of nature and natural systems by teaching a Fish and Wildlife class as well as getting hands on experience working with the Big Spring FFA chapter. After completing her Student Teaching Experience, Maddie hopes to get a teaching job somewhere in Pennsylvania. 

While COVID-19 has proved a challenge for Maddie by adding to her stress as a student and cancelling the trips seniors in the AEE major usually take, this social landslide has not kept her from taking advantage of extra time to create lesson plans. Additionally, she has been collecting virtual resources to use in the classroom. If anything, the pandemic has allowed Maddie to prepare for sudden changes to her Student Teaching Experience as she explains, "While I work on lessons I also find myself thinking about how I could adapt and change lessons to fit an online format and I jot down those thoughts on a separate document". Of course, despite being ready to adjust her trek up the mountain COVID-19 has put in her path, Maddie is looking forward to getting back to normal so she can hug her friends and family again. 

Above all, Maddie's Penn State Teach Ag! Family believes that her energy and heart will help her to conquer any mountains that she has to climb in her Agricultural Education journey. "The disparities that COVID-19 has brought to certain groups of people and communities has amplified my commitment to create inclusive space in the classroom for my students". Maddie, WE ARE proud of your commitment to inclusion, a trait that will help you to connect with students and make an impact in your school community. To follow the rest of Maddie's journey in Agricultural and Extension Education, tune into her blog "Bentz-er Days, Through Bentz-er Ways" at https://maddiebentz.blogspot.com/.

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

PAAE Outstanding Service Award Recipient Ms. SaraBeth Fulton

Service is a topic that all of us in the Agricultural Education realm are quite familiar with as it is an opportunity for all of us to help our students build character, learn to give back, and engage with the community. This year, the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) has recognized one individual in particular that exemplifies what it means to serve. The 2020 PAAE Outstanding Service Award recipient is Ms. SaraBeth Fulton.

Ms. Fulton is one of two Agricultural Educators at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pennsylvania. Her Agricultural Education program offers sixteen different courses that include Leadership, Animal Science, Mechanics, Natural Resources, Agriculture Business, and Plant Science which approximately 240 students engage in each year. Alongside Big Spring's developed high school program is an active FFA chapter and new middle school program. Ms. Fulton says, "Our program is fortunate to be in a school district that has a very supportive school board and administration, and as a result, our students are allowed to participate in experiences outside of the classroom that helps to enhance their career skills". 

Ms. Fulton had a unique start to her career as an Agricultural Educator as she majored in Animal Science in college where she was encouraged by her academic advisor to obtain a Master's degree in Education as he believed she had a knack for teaching. While she considered Agricultural Education when she was younger, it was not until this point in her life that Ms. Fulton decided to pursue it as a career instead of working with animals. Her position as a student teacher at Big Spring was what helped her to realize that her heart belongs to Agricultural Education and she continues to serve as an Agricultural Educator with passion today. Throughout her career, Ms. Fulton has served Agricultural Education in many positions including School Union Treasurer, Big Spring High School Professional Development/Wellness Committee, and Fiscal Policy Chair - Union in her community. On a state level, she has served as PAAE President and Webpage Master and is currently a Committee Member for FFA CDE/LDE. Moving beyond Pennsylvania's borders, Ms. Fulton also serves as Marketing Committee Member for NAAE.

At Big Spring, the Agricultural Education students are given a chance to engage in service in multiple ways. The programs partners with the Chesapeake Bay multiple times a year so the students have an opportunity to work on local riparian buffers in their district. Ms. Fulton's program also partners with their county Farm Bureau to collect materials for Farmers' Care Day. Additionally, Big Spring's Agricultural Education program conducts an Agriculture Program for first grade elementary classes where they utilize books from the local library, runs a milkshake stand at their home football games and their community fair, and is planning to host an agriculture night during on of their football games this fall to promote agriculture in their community. Ms. Fulton is helping to ensure that her program exploring new avenues of service also. "For the first time, we scheduled a community night program in conjunction with the library to do an evening program about potatoes".

Having taken part in many service experiences, Ms. Fulton says to individuals hoping to strengthen service in their program, "Don't be afraid to ask for help; we wear many hats as Agricultural Educators, and it is okay to ask for help from others. Also, always remember to have an open line of communication with your administrators and school board members. Don't assume they know everything you are doing or accomplishing. Send them reports or have your FFA members/students conduct presentations to the board".

For her passion for service, congratulate Ms. Fulton on receiving this award. Additionally, wish her luck as she takes her accomplishments to a national level and applies for the NAAE Outstanding Service Award.

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

May 2016 Program of the Month: Big Spring High School

Pennsylvania is home to over 150 FFA chapters, representing the Blue and Gold at its finest. There is one chapter that has stood above the rest this month to become our May program of the month. The Big Spring FFA Chapter!

Sherisa Nailor, Katie Andres (Current student
teacher) and SaraBeth Fulton

Big Spring is celebrating 60 years this year, with an annual member and parent banquet; a big milestone for the FFA chapter led by Mrs. SaraBeth Fulton and Mrs. Sherisa Nailor. Mrs. Fulton has been teaching for twelve years and Mrs. Nailor for ten. They are proud to be one of the few programs led by two female teachers. They said "Big Spring is a growing program that strives to incorporate critical thinking and problem solving skills into all students and FFA members, while incorporating strong community service habits."  

 Every year the program at Big Spring has continued to grow. The demand for agricultural classes is extremely high!  Every year there are over 700 requests for agriculture classes and currently they can only accommodate 220!  Their involvement and success in various competitions has matched their classroom growth.   Mrs. Nailor and Mrs. Fulton offer a wide variety of classes.  Their most requested class, "Living on Your Own" is taught by Mrs. Fulton.  Living on Your Own "is an introductory course to basic home maintenance that allows students to  create projects and complete laboratory practices."  Their "Essential Home Projects" course adds to this knowledge where students are actively involved in flooring, concrete, building and creating bio-diesel.  From home maintenance to AP Environmental Science, there is no doubt that Mrs. Fulton and Mrs. Nailor are preparing students for careers in agriculture, food and natural resources.  Their program is growing and they hope to add a 3rd teacher to further the success at Big Spring someday in the future.  

Secretary Redding and FFA members at his visit during FFA week!

Secretary of Agriculture Russel Redding was able to witness the success at Big Spring with a visit during FFA Week where he shared about the importance of Agricultural Education and FFA in Pennsylvania.  

          Current Classes Offered: 

Big Spring students preparing a garden display.

Living on Your Own

Basic FFA Leadership

Advanced FFA Leadership

Equine Science

Essential Home Projects

Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Honors Animal and Veterinary Science

Small Animal Science

Food Science and Safety

Science of Animal Agriculture

Plant and Greenhouse Science

AP Environmental Science
Small Gas Engines

Welding

Recent Chapter Accomplishments:

Regional participants for Junior Prepared, Senior Prepared and Conservation Public Speaking
1st Big Spring State Poultry Judging Career Development Event

Big Spring FFA Members!

As their chapter continues to grow we look to Big Spring FFA as an example.  They offer diverse classes and are truly committed to the FFA mission, developing students potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success!  Congratulations on being named our May Program of the Month! 

Want to hear what is going on right now at Big Spring? 
Twitter: @BigSpringFFA
Facebook: Big Spring FFA

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.

Kayla Hack

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher