Congratulations Cheyenne Wivell, #psuaged18 member Hired!

Another #psuaged18 member has been hired! We'd like to congratulate our very own Cheyenne Wivell, who was recently hired by Gettysburg Area High School in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Cheyenne is originally from Wellsville, Pennsylvania, and a former member of the Gifford Pinchot FFA Chapter. She completed her student teaching internship in the spring of 2018 at Kennard-Dale High School in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State in the spring of 2018.

During her time at Penn State, Cheyenne has had many great experiences in The College of Agricultural Sciences. Here's just a short list of what she's been involved in:

• Collegiate Horseman Association

• Collegiate Penn State Horse Judging Team

• Photography Chair for the Annual Penn State Quarter Horse Sale

• Employee of the Penn State Horse Barns

Cheyenne was officially hired by Gettysburg Area High School on November 5th, and steps into the position from her previous job as a West Nile Field Assistant with Pennsylvania's West Nile Virus Control Program in York County, where she has been traveling around the County sampling and treating for mosquitoes and testing for West Nile Virus. "Did you know that there are over 60 types of mosquitoes in Pennsylvania? York County found 31 varieties this summer." This position provided her with a very unique experience and a much different view of agriculture that intercepts both animal and human health.

In September Cheyenne was offered a full-time position with the County, but said that she was ready to get back into teaching, so she applied at Gettysburg High School. She was hired for the teaching position on November 5th, and began teaching this past Monday on November 19th, just as one of the current teachers, Ms. Laura Kennedy, left for maternity leave. She joins the agricultural program at Gettysburg with a fellow Nittany Lion, Ms. Jenna Timmons, a #psuaged16 member who was just hired by the district in the spring of 2016 and also completed her student teaching at Kennard-Dale High School!  

As she steps into her position at Gettysburg, Cheyenne will get the opportunity to teach a variety of subjects, including Intro to Agriscience, Ag Leadership, Animal Vet Science 1 & 2, and Equine Science. If you know Cheyenne, you'll know her passion for horses, so she's very excited to teach the Equine Science class, but she says, "each one of these classes brings a special interest to me and I'm super excited." She's ready to get into teaching again, and see the profession from the angle of a full-time teacher after getting the experience of a student teacher. Cheyenne was sure to point out that Penn State's Agriculture and Extension Education program has prepared her to teach by providing her with lessons, patience, practice, and understanding. She says that she's anxious to step back into teaching, but it feels like she's coming home. "I am super excited because everyone is super supportive, excited, and glad I am here; that makes the transition even easier! I love this district and the individuals here." 

We asked Cheyenne if she has any advice for anyone who's thinking about Agricultural Education. She says that if you're thinking about it, just to do it. The opportunity to teach someone else and to be a positive agent of change is an important and influential one. She shared that, "You could be the only reason that student smiled today, the only reason that student felt important. Wouldn't you want to do that for someone?"

We wish Cheyenne the best of luck as she steps into her new position at Gettysburg Area High School, and we can't wait to see her success! She leaves us with one last thing to say: 

"I am very thankful for all of the support that I have received and still receive from the crew at PSU! I greatly appreciate you all and hope you have a great Thanksgiving!"

- Cheyenne Wivell, #psuaged18

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.

 

Hunter Kauffman

Team Leader, @TeachAgPSU Communications

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

5 Reasons We're Thankful for Our Agricultural Teachers

As Thanksgiving approaches once again this year, there's always much to be thankful for - maybe it's time with family and friends, a great dinner, or and even better dessert. Before we chow down on our turkey and stuffing, we wanted to give you 5 reasons we're thankful for our Ag Teachers.

1. Ag Teachers know a lot. Whether it's teaching six subjects a day, helping you build that perfect window display for Farm Show, or dispensing useful life advice, Ag teachers truly are as wise as an owl. I can't think of any other teacher who knows as many quick fixes, spur-of-the-moment solutions, and random knowledge.  As an added bonus, they're definitely not shy about sharing any of it! We're thankful for our Ag teachers' wisdom!

2. Ag teachers make sacrifices for their students. Each one of us can probably think of at least a dozen times our Ag teachers have forgone time in their personal lives (yes, they have those!) to lend a hand. From fruit sales to chapter meetings to watering plants in the greenhouse, they're dedicated to it all. We're thankful for the sacrifices our Ag teachers make to ensure every student gets what they need!


3. Ag teachers have an incredible passion like no other. They teach the same things to students every sing day, have the patience of a stone statue, and still get as jazzed about the material as me when I scoop that first slice of warm pumpkin pie. It takes a special type of excitement to be able to explain the steps of photosynthesis multiple times a day, every. single. year. They're passionate about the material they teach, which means they will do anything they can do to share that passion with their students. We're thankful for our Ag teachers' passion!

4. Ag teachers care about their students. Whether they show it or not, Ag teachers have big hearts. Their students are important to them, and Ag teachers truly care about their success. Remember numbers two and three? This is where all that comes from. We're thankful for those big hearts! 

5. Ag teachers are shaping the future. The Ag classroom is a unique place where students can find what they're passionate about and grow as leaders in the world that lay in front of them. We're thankful for all that our Ag teachers do to prepare our students for success. 

These are the people supporting our students every step of the way through their education. These are the people instilling a solid work ethic, good morals, and a sense of responsibility in our students. These are the people willing to help our students get to where they need to be. The list of great things our Ag teachers do goes on and on, and it really wouldn't be feasible to try and think of every single thing to be thankful for! Instead, I want to pose a simple alternative... thank an Ag teacher this week!

 

Hunter Kauffman

Team Leader, @TeachAgPSU Communications

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

Penn State Alum Returns to Pennsylvania

Jeanne Case returns to Pennsylvania to continue her journey as an Agricultural Educator! She is a #psuaged14 alum, and was employed in Walworth, Wisconsin (home of Kikkoman Soy Sauce) at Big Foot Union High School. Jeanne is currently teaching at Cumberland Valley High School in Cumberland County!

Jeanne applied for the position at Cumberland Valley because she has a strong interest in Agriscience and felt that the school would be able to support her curriculum. She also wanted to teach in a program that had two teachers, in an urban area, and closer to her family. At Cumberland Valley, Jeanne aspires to grow personally and professionally in the world of Agricultural Education. She states, "It is hard for teachers to find that work-life balance, but I really enjoy teaching. I will always be striving to find that balance to have longevity in the profession." 

Cumberland Valley encourages students from all different backgrounds and ethnicities to join FFA, and to know that they all have a place in Agriculture Education. Jeanne's goal is to continue this trend as she begins teaching at CV. She will succeed in this goal because she enjoys meeting new students and forming connections with them. "There is a place for everyone in agricultural science, you just have to take the time to get to know people and understand their strengths," exclaimed Jeanne. 

Her advice to those interested in Agriculture Education as a career is to talk to everyone and push yourself out of your comfort zone. "No one is an expert their first year (or fifth!). The necessary part is to keep pushing yourself and try to improve and be open to new ideas but not to work yourself into the ground and beat yourself up – you will burn yourself out."

We are excited that you are back in Pennsylvania, and cannot wait to see the positive impact you make on the lives of your students!

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

#psuaged14 Alum Receives National Award!

Congratulations Quinn Cashell-Martin! A Penn State Agriculture and Extension Education alum (#psuaged14) has received a National Teacher Turn the Key Award from the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE). She will be recognized at the NAAE Convention in San Antonio, TX in November.

Quinn is currently teaching at Boonsboro High School in Boonsboro, Maryland. She attended Chambersburg High School with Jon Seaman #psuaged07 as her agriscience teacher. When she was a Penn State student she completed her student teaching experience at Athens High School with David Steinfelt #psuaged02 as her cooperating teacher. 

Quinn is humbled to receive the chance to attend the Teacher Turn the Key program. She states, "We are constantly encouraging our students to be actively involved in their organization (our FFA Chapter), and we should expect nothing less from ourselves." Everyone should continue to set goals for themselves, and she has been working towards this goal since her first year teaching. "My mission has always been to commit myself to a lifetime of learning. I believe this program is going to help me find new and invigorating ways to make sure that continues to happen." She is excited to bring back what she learns from this experience to her classroom in Maryland, and begin creating a new set of goals for herself and her program.

Her favorite experience as an Agriculture Educator so far was taking her students to National FFA Convention. The school she began teaching at was built five year before she became the agriscience teacher there. Through the building stages of the agriculture education program she had to overcome the challenge of getting students to understand what was available to them in the blue corduroy jacket. Once a group of students had gone to National FFA Convention for the first time it finally clicked. "It was after that experience that more students began to fully “buy in” to the experience and work hard to make a name for their newly established FFA Chapter. That easily made all the late nights worth it!"

Her advice to those who are in the Agriculture Education program is to find an organizational system that works for you as soon as you can. "The life of an agriculture educator is undoubtedly overwhelming at times. However, if you find a good way to organize the chaos, it is far less overwhelming. Never be afraid to ask for help. However, the hardest part of the first year in your own classroom is realizing that you don’t always know what questions you need answers to until you are up against a fast approaching deadline. If you establish a great working relationship with the staff in your building (secretaries, custodians, teachers, and administration) they often are understanding of the learning process you are going through, and are willing to work with you if you find yourself in a tight spot."

We are proud of all the accomplishments you have made as an Agriculture Educator, and we would like to congratulate you once more on your National Teacher Turn the Key Award! We are excited to see how you will advance throughout the rest of your career!

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

Meagan Slates Receives National Award

Congratulations Meagan Slates! A Penn State Agriculture and Extension Education alum (#psuaged14) has received an Outstanding Early Career Educator Award from the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE). She will be recognized at the NAAE Convention in San Antonio, TX in November.

Ms. Meagan Slates is currently teaching at Penn Manor High School in Millersville, PA. Meagan had completed her student teaching internship at West Perry High School with Ayla Miller #psuaged10 and John Hines #psuaged04. She attended Fort Cherry H.S. with Ms. Jodie Hoover #psuaged95 as her Agriscience Teacher.

Meagan is encouraging her to continue to be the best educator she can be for her students. She is always looking for new ways to advance her curriculum, getting students involved, and help them better themselves to be productive and successful members of society. "The best part about being selected for this award is the opportunity to attend NAAE conference network with other agriculture educators from across the US and attend workshops from both NAAE and ACTE where I can continue to grow and learn." Meagan enjoys watching her students find their passions, develop their stories, and achieve their goals. She teaches mostly freshman so she is just now seeing her first group of freshman graduate, and enter the workforce or go into a post secondary education. "Some students have come back to tell me about their experiences or have shared them with me on my professional social media platforms so it’s amazing to see where they are and what they are doing."

Her experiences as a teacher have provided her opportunities to grow and learn. She is thankful for the community of teachers she is friends with that she can collaborate and brainstorm with. Meagan's advice is, "New teachers should stretch themselves to try new things but don’t give up if it doesn’t go as planned, readjust and try again tomorrow or next time. It DOES get easier!"

Congratulations Meagan on your accomplishments and your award! We are proud of the positive impact you have made so far, and we are excited to see the impact you make throughout the rest of your career!

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

Spend a week in Belize with AEE/INTAG 499!

Are you looking to travel abroad? Are you interested in exploring the indigenous knowledge and agricultural education of a different country? Sign up for AEE/INTAG 499: Indigenous Knowledge and Agricultural Education and travel with Penn State to Belize over Spring Break 2019! 

Through this embedded course you'll consider the role of agricultural education by visiting examples of both formal and non-formal agricultural education!  Try something new by sleeping in a traditional Mayan hut and eating food prepared by local people. Think about agriculture in new ways by touring small and large scale agriculture operations and learning about traditional agriculture practices and their role in modern life.

Last year our students got to see what sustainable farming looks like in Belize, learn about their agricultural education, explore local markets, see how agriculture ties a community together, and spend time with locals who shared their knowledge and experiences.

This course is open to any interested Penn State student! 

Not only does this opportunity satisfy the INTAG Study Abroad requirement, but you can also find something in this trip that relates to almost every major!

You can check out reflections and comments from last years' #TeachAgBelize experience here:

If you're interested in traveling to Belize this spring to explore indigenous knowledge and Agricultural Education, applications for AEE/INTAG 499 are available until November 16th. Be sure to click here and get more information about this unique opportunity!

While you're at it, check out a sneak peek of what's in store for #TeachAgBelize this spring! 

 

Hunter Kauffman

Team Leader, @TeachAgPSU Communications

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

October 2018 Student of the Month: Victoria Herr (@Victoria_Herr)

Each month we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in their involvement in the agriculture education program at PSU! Our October student of the month is Ms. Victoria Herr! Victoria is a senior in the Agricultural and Extension Education Program, preparing to student teach in the spring at Penns Manor high school in Indiana County, PA. Let's learn a little bit about her as we celebrate her achievements and success!

Victoria has been involved in FFA all throughout her high school career at Penn Manor, competing in multiple State and National Career Development Events (CDE's). Her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in high school was raising hogs and dairy beef. She served as a county officer and went on to also serve as the 2014 - 2015 Pennsylvania FFA secretary and received her American Degree in 2015. 

Since arriving at Penn State Victoria has been very active within the college community. Here on campus, Victoria has been involved in Teach Ag Society, Collegiate FFA, and is a founding member and current President of The LEAD Society at Penn State. She also is a member of Alpha Tau Alpha chapter on campus, the national professional honorary agricultural education organization. We asked Victoria what her favorite thing about Penn State is, and she responded, " I love the family atmosphere and camaraderie! I've always felt at home at Penn State!". 

Fun Facts:

Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Birthday: June 11th

Favorite PSU Class: HORT 497: Hydroponics and Aquaponics

Favorite Sports Team: Penn State Football!!

Favorite Hangout on Campus: 213 Ferguson

Favorite Place to Eat in State College: The Field or Big Bowl

We congratulate Victoria and wish her the best of luck as she prepares for student teaching this spring and graduation in May of 2019. Seeing her accomplishments thus far, it'll be a breeze! If you would like to follow her on her journey, check out her Twitter (@Victoria_Herr)!