December 2018 Student of the Month: Erin Langdale (@ItsErinLangdale)

Every month we recognize a student within the Agricultural and Extension Education program who has gone above and beyond as our Student of the Month. Ms. Erin Langdale, a junior in the program, has been chosen as our December Student of the Month! Let's learn a little more about Erin and why we've decided to choose her as Student of the Month.

Erin comes to Penn State all the way from Warwick, New York, where she grew up with an active roll in the FFA throughout her high school career. She went on from high school to dedicate a year of service to the New York FFA Association as the 2015-2016 State Reporter while she simultaneously attended her freshman year of college at SUNY Morrisville in Morrisville, New York. Erin began there as an Argibusinss Management major, but soon found through her travels with New York FFA that she had a passion to teach. "I got to experience what it was like to be an ag teacher. Helping to motivate students, and help them find a home in agriculture became a passion of mine, and that passion led me to Penn State." Erin transferred to Penn State for her sophomore year where she joined the Agriculture and Extension Education program. 

Outside of academics, Erin is extremely involved across the University. Last summer she was part of the New Student Orientation Team, helping to welcome almost 8,000 students to Penn State. She also is an active member and the new President of the Leadership, Education, and Agricultural Development (LEAD) Society at Penn State, and a new member of the Coaly Society which focuses on extracurricular involvement in the College of Agricultural Sciences. 

We asked Erin why she chose Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State, and she said she knew Penn State was where she wanted to be. "The campus is massive and beautiful, and beaming with opportunity." She said she enjoys the small size of the AEE major combined with the big university feel. Erin said she chose AEE because
"...there was no other major where I felt more at home. There's no other way to put it other than the fact that it was the right fit."

Let's learn a little more about Erin: 

Birthday: May 9th
Favorite PSU Class: INTAG 100
Favorite Sports Team: Penn State Football!
Favorite Hangout on Campus: Ferguson 213 or Second Floor HUB
Favorite place to eat in State College: Champs
Favorite Quote: "Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives wont have a title until much later." - Bob Goff
4-H/FFA Background: Erin was involved in FFA throughout high school before moving on to become the New York FFA 2015-2016 State Reporter.


Congratulations to Erin Langdale for being selected as our December Student of the Month! We're certainly overjoyed to have her as a part of the Agricultural and Extension Education program, and we're glad she feels right at home! 



Want to read more about Erin Langdale?

• Meet Your New Teach Ag Avengers!

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

 

Myken Poorman - PA Teacher of the Year Finalist

We always enjoy watching students succeed in classrooms, but it is also very rewarding to see the teachers who facilitate the success of their students achieve goals and awards. Myken Poorman, an Agricultural Educator at Bellefonte High School, is a finalist in the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award. Myken graduated from Penn State in 2006 with a B.S. in Agricultural Sciences and a minor in Environmental Soil Science as well as a M.Ed. in AEE from Penn State in 2009.

Myken was nominated for Teacher of the Year by her superintendent. Once she was nominated she had to apply to determine if she was a semi-finalist. After being a semi-finalist, she had a phone interview, which was used to select the finalists. Once she became a finalist she had more steps to complete before the end of June. Next week, December 9-11, 2018 she will be attending the NSTOY-PA and SAS Conference in Hershey where she will meet the current and past finalists. She will learn more about the NSTOY organization and the 2019 Teacher of the Year will be announced.

If she is selected as the Teacher of the Year she will be fulfilling the following goals throughout 2019:

• Encourage quality education for each individual through quality teaching
• Recognize the excellence and commitment of professional educators
• Promote the image of education through public awareness
• Stimulate the personal and professional growth of our members through their participation in workshops or seminars
• Mentor young people entering into the educational profession

Myken is passionate about giving her student real-world experience and practical application to the concepts that she teaches. "Whether it’s having a wildlife biologist speak about their job or dissecting a ruminant stomach to really understand how food moves through the digestive system as a way of exploring how nutrition is a key factor in animal health, I keep my classes relevant." When her administration observes her classroom, they always enjoy and comment about how her students are engaged with the lesson. She will explain a concept, but also show them the concept. Her classes go deeper into the content so students can grasp an understanding of the material.

Her advice for new and current teachers, "Make your classroom one where students are encouraged to do their best, taught that it’s ok to make mistakes, and challenged to create and think for themselves, and be respectful citizens. Never stop learning! Keep your classes up-to-date, relevant, and relate them to real-world experience."

Myken the TeachAg family at Penn State are so excited for you, and we wish you the best of luck next week at the NSTOY-PA and SAS Conference! Congratulations on being a Teacher of the Year finalist!

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

November 2018 Student of the Month: Lisa Boltz! (@BoltzLisa)

Every month we recognize a student within the Agricultural and Extension Education program who has gone above and beyond as our Student of the Month. In November, this student was Lisa Boltz, a Senior in the program. Let's learn a little more about Lisa, and why she's been chosen as our November Student of the Month:

Lisa is originally from Lickdale, PA, located in Lebanon County. She was a graduate of Northern Lebanon High School in 2014, where she went on to serve as Pennsylvania FFA's State Treasurer in 2014-2015 before starting her Penn State journey in the fall of 2015 at Penn State Berks. During her past two years at the University Park campus, Lisa has been engaged in everything the College of Agricultural Sciences has to offer while still staying involved with the FFA.

A little more about Lisa:

Birthday: October 9th, 1995
Favorite PSU Class: HORT 201 (tree climbing)
Favorite Sports Team: Penn State Football
Favorite Hangout on Campus: Ferguson Building
Favorite thing at PSU: "Without a doubt my favorite thing at Penn State is the school pride in EVERYTHING. You experience Penn State Pride at sports events, on campus, and even off campus when you meet complete strangers that were once Penn Staters!"
Favorite place to eat in State College: "This is difficult because I try not to go out frequently! I’d say it’s a tie between Moe Monday’s with my roommates and Cracker Barrel dates with the cohort."
Favorite Quote: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela 
 4-H/FFA Background:

• Lebanon County Horse 4-H from 10 - 18 years old
• Northern Lebanon FFA from 9th - 12th grade
• Parliamentary Procedure LDE
• Public Speaking 
• Regional CDEs 
• Lots of State Conferences! 
• 2014-2015 Pennsylvania State Treasurer 
• 2016 National Delegate

We're proud of Lisa as she prepares for her final presentations in the coming days and we wish her the best of luck as she gets ready to student teach at Dover High School alongside Ms. Britney Marsh in the spring! Lisa's final presentation is on Wednesday, December 12th at 10:15 AM EST. If you would like to tune in and celebrate her success, join her via Zoom.



Want to read more about Lisa Boltz? 

• @TeachAgPSU #psuaged19 members National Award Winners! 
• August 2016 Student of the Month: Lisa Boltz

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

Amanda Forstater #psuaged15 Nationally Recognized

Congratulations Amanda Forstater! A Penn State Agriculture and Extension Education alum (#psuaged15) is to receive 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.

Amanda is currently an agriscience teacher at Taylor M.S/H.S in Perry, Florida. She completed her student teaching internship at Tri-Valley High School with Gretchen Dingman #psuaged92. She had attended high school at W.B. Saul in Philadelphia, PA.

Amanda has kept her eyes on this award since she began teaching. She tries to take advantage of every professional development opportunity she can, and this award is an exact fit. "As agricultural educators not only does our content constantly change to keep up with technological advances but so are the strategies we need to reach our students." Along with this award, Amanda was also chosen to be in the 2018-2019 class of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture's Agricultural Education Leadership Program (AELP). She explains, "Through both of these opportunities this year I hope to expand both my agricultural and teaching method knowledge to become a more well-rounded teacher and flush out all three circles of the Taylor Agricultural Education Program." 

Her favorite experience as an agricultural educator is watching the lightbulb moments that students have. "Those lightbulb experiences also add to the bonding moments with students outside the classroom. Examples such as taking students on a week-long National Convention & Ag Industry Tour and watching kids light up when they see maple production for the first time, or milk a cow, or watch them speak to prospective colleges and employers makes those bonding experiences even more meaningful." Over the past three years her experience in teaching has helped her calm down and become more organized in her program. She is more comfortable seeking assistance and resources to better her classroom, and also offering her own thoughts and strategies. 

Her advice to those entering into the agricultural education profession find your "marigold" and take chances. "I was told both and I remind myself of this advice constantly. Finding your “marigold” refers to seeking out the person(s) who will be your positive flower...Taking chances is also important. You don’t know if it will work/if you’ll like it until you try. If something doesn’t work you can always try again or try a different method. Don’t be afraid to try; if you have built relationships with your students and community, even if it blows up they’ll understand." 

Amanda we are proud of your success so far, and we are excited to see how you continue to make a positive difference in the lives of students! Congratulations!

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

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