Second Year Series: Laura Metrick's (@Its_LauraBeth) Experience

It has often been said that the agricultural community around us is quick in developing connections among each other as well as being a close knit group. With this in mind our featured educator Laura Metrick is using this aspect in creating a classroom environment that develops connections between students, students to community, and student to teacher. Laura is the current agricultural educator at Conneaut Area High School in Crawford County. Laura is part of the #psuaged15 cohort, and has been teaching for two full years.

Laura had started her teaching career out at Union City Area High School opening up a brand new program. She taught there for two full years, and now teaches at Conneaut Area High School where she student taught. Her most inspiring moment as a teacher was working with her two square dancing teams preparing for PA State Farm Show. In this moment there were several students from very different backgrounds, but they all communicated and worked well with each other. She stated, "It has just been so refreshing and a great reminder that in the “Ag Room” anyone is welcome no matter what and when we work together good things happen." She has changed things up in her teaching style to be more effective in the classroom. She strongly believes that getting to know the students is key and that catering lessons to their needs has helped the behavior and grades of the students. 

Laura's favorite moment as an educator was taking students to the National FFA Convention this past year. This was the first year she went as an advisor, and she enjoyed getting to plan the trip and experience. "Getting to bond with the students I took along," she exclaimed, "...witnessing them experience the convention was super rewarding!" 

In the past two years that she has been teaching she has learned more than she expected. Laura learned that some of the best lesson come from places that one would never expect. She also believes that there are not lesson fails just unexpected learning opportunities. One of the biggest struggles she has faced is replacing an agricultural education legend. "Following in the footsteps of an outstanding educator who was there for 35 years has its many benefits but also its challenges," she exclaimed. 

One piece of advice she has for incoming teachers is to not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. She is not sure how she would have made it through her first year without reaching out to local Ag teachers in her area, her student teaching cohort, and the resources at Penn State. "We all have the same goal of student success so if you are ever struggling to come up with an effective teaching method, brainstorm some new fundraising ideas, figure out tours for your next FFA trip or just need someone to talk to just reach out! We’re all in this together!" We are looking forward to see how you lead the next generation of students into understanding and developing a passion for agriculture.

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @lmkerstetter96

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher