Congratulations Victoria Herr, #psuaged19 member hired!

We love seeing where our graduates go after they finish their Penn State journeys! Victoria has the most Penn State pride out of any person we know, and we're excited to share that she'll be taking that pride with her to Kutztown Area High School, recently being hired as their new Agricultural Teacher and FFA Advisor.

We had the chance to reach out to Victoria and ask her about this new chapter in her life, and first, she shares that she's very excited to have graduated from Penn State with her degree in Agricultural and Extension Education. She says, "As I wrapped up my student teaching I began to feel so confident and prepared to start in my own classroom. The past four years have been truly incredible but I am ready for the next chapter!" Her Penn State degree has prepared her for her new position through academic content, but she shares that her extracurricular experiences were important for her as well. The past four years have been a wealth of knowledge, experience, and recognition for Victoria, having achieved numerous academic and professional goals through her time at Penn State, leading student organizations, and travelling all over the country. This time was capped off with her selection and recognition as the College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding Senior at the Ag Sciences Alumni Society's annual graduation brunch on May 5th.

In her new position at Kutztown Area High School, Victoria serves as an agricultural teacher and FFA advisor, giving her the opportunity to teach a variety of courses, including Introduction to Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Business, Vet Science, AP Environmental Science, and more. She shares that, "I am both nervous and excited for AP Environmental Science. I think that it will be an awesome challenge for me..." This course allows Victoria to combine both her passion for agriculture and for the environment into a single course. She also gets to advise their FFA program and oversee students' SAE projects.

"While every day will still be a learning experience, I know that I am ready!"

Victoria wishes to thank all of the people who have supported her on her journey, and being so many of them, adds that, "...they know who they are." She shares that she has a great support system, so that she's ready to take on the challenge and is already beginning, with lots of preparatory work and conferences to get herself prepared for the upcoming school year.

We wish Victoria the best of luck as she begins her new job as the agricultural teacher at Kutztown Area High School - we're so proud of her!

Hunter Kauffman

Team Leader, @TeachAgPSU Communications

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

May 2019 Student of the Month: Megan Royer (@Megyyy22)

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. Sophomore Megan Royer has been selected as the May Student of the Month! Let’s dive into why we have chosen Megan to be the Student of the Month!

Megan is a current sophomore in the Agricultural and Extension Education major at Penn State with hopes to teach agricultural education in a high school. Her inspiration to become an agricultural educator came from her high school agriculture teacher Mr. Heasley. She had found a home in agricultural education and wanted to continue to be involved with that family after high school. "There I was able to mend my passion for Agriculture and my love for working with kids through different opportunities Mr. Heasley allowed for me to participate in." Megan's advice to incoming freshman is, "Call your mom, whether you live at home or you live on campus she's going to need those phones calls just as much as you will. It's okay to be homesick UP can be a scary place! Also, take every opportunity that take comes your way! Your first year on campus is going to be crazy but I can promise you stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things will do you wonders. You will learn so much and make some amazing friends along the way!"

Megan is the LEAD Society Vice President, DSA Committee Chair, and a TeachAg Avenger. To learn more about Megan follow her on Twitter @Megyyy22

Fun Facts about Megan:

Hometown: State College, PA 

Graduation: 2021 

Birthday: December 30th 

Favorite PSU Class: AG 160 Ag Ethics with Dr. Robert Chiles

Favorite Place to Eat in State College: Rey Azteca 

Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Pirates Go Bucs! 

Favorite Hangout place: My Mom's Office in the Dieke Building

Favorite thing at PSU: The flowers and landscaping, we have a beautiful campus

4H/FFA: I was a member of the State College Little Lions FFA Chapter where I served as Vice President my junior and senior year of high school. Along with serving on the officer team, I received my Keystone Degree in January 2017 and my American Degree in October 2018. 

Favorite Quote: " She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future." - Proverbs 31:25

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

Congratulations Manny Catala, #psuaged19 member hired!

As we congratulate the graduates of the Class of 2019, now is the time of the year where we look forward to seeing where our #psuaged19 members go from here! We would like to congratulate Mr. Manny Catala on taking the next steps of his career by getting ready to serve in the Peace Corps for the next 27 months, where he will be working as an Urban Agriculture Extension Agent in Senegal.

Manny shares that he's wanted to join the Peace Corps ever since he was in 10th grade. He was able to learn about the international organization in his U.S. History class and was hooked. "I joined because I want to make a difference. I've been so fortunate in education and want to share that education to those who haven't had the same opportunity as me." Manny says that the Peace Corps as an outlet for him to give back in his own meaningful way.

Olivia Murphy-Sweet, a fellow Penn State Ag Ed alum graduating in 2016, served in the Peace Corps in Senegal previously. After speaking with Murphy-Sweet and doing his research, Manny knew that Senegal was the place that he wanted to be. "I chose [Senegal] because of the hospitality of the Senegalese people and Peace Corps Senegal's ongoing mission to bring empowerment to women."

We asked Manny what exactly he will be doing during his 27 months abroad as an Urban Agriculture Extension Agent. He says he will be working with community members, youth in schools, and small hold farmers to improve agricultural production and efficiency; anything from improving crop production methods and harvest management, to improving nutrition and helping household members cook and improving women's access to extension services necessary for agriculture. Objectives for the Peace Corps' Agricultural Extension Agent position include increasing farmers' capacity to sustainably cultivate improved crop cultivars and to sustainably produce more crops that contribute to family income and access to food at home.

He shares that he's ready to make his mark on an important community. "I'm excited to... ...know I've made a positive difference, no matter how small or big it is. I'm excited to learn about another culture and to share the American culture." At the same time, Manny says that he is a little nervous, since there isn't the rigorous structure in this position that one may expect - service is different for everyone. This, however, affords a lot of opportunity for Manny to be able to grow and learn what he loves about his position, as well as give in his own unique way.

Despite the uncertainty, Manny believe that his time at Penn State has prepared him well. "I believe my time student teaching and being at Penn State will serve me will in my service. My knowledge of agriculture is pretty wide from the courses I've taken, and student teaching has helped further develop my teaching abilities to reach different groups of people." This experience, he believes, will also prepare him to be flexible in tough situations and more sensitive to other cultures when he moves on to the next step of his career after these 27 months. Manny currently doesn't have any plans set after his Peace Corps service - 27 months is a long time after all - but he shares that only time can tell where he will end up.

Manny is serving in an unique capacity, where he has the power to change many people's lives over the next 27 months, and we are all incredibly proud of him. Manny wants to thank everyone who has been a part of Penn State Teach Ag for their guidance and support throughout his Teach Ag journey. We're excited to keep up with his journey in the Peace Corps and see how he uses his Penn State story to inspire others and contribute to growing communities abroad! Congratulations, Manny!


Want to read more about Manny? 

• 2019 Student Teacher Check-In with Manny Catala
• 2018 Student of the Month - Manny Catala 

Hunter Kauffman

Team Leader, @TeachAgPSU Communications

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences