Elise Laudenslager Has Found Her Home In Agricultural Education

Heading out of quarantine full of ice pops, cooking practice, and a passion for agriculture, this senior in Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State has dodged quite a few COVID-19 curve balls and is ready to begin her Student Teaching Internship in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 

Elise Laudenslager grew up in Pitman, Pennsylvania on a small, family-owned dairy. When she was eight years old, she joined 4-H and began a show rabbit project. After a few years, she also began raising and showing Dairy Beef at her local fair. Elise explains, "4-H taught me about the importance of record keeping, proper animal care, and became my first experience teaching others about agriculture". She participated in the Tri-Valley High School agriculture program and enjoyed being able to apply the real life experiences she was taking part in at home to the knowledge she was gaining in the classroom. Elise joined FFA and furthered her experience with Dairy Beef by completing an Entrepreneurship Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE). Through FFA she was also able to participate in many conferences, competitions, and a chapter officer position that helped her to grow as a leader and taught her about community.

After graduating high school, Elise decided to pursue a career as an Agricultural Educator. "I have always had a passion for agriculture. My family played a huge role in my understanding of the importance of agriculture to our everyday lives. Additionally, as I got older I realized I have a love for education, and I want to make an impact by being a role model to students and showing them their potential. Agricultural Education seemed to be the perfect way to merge both of my passions". In order to make this ambition a reality, Elise enrolled in Penn State's Agricultural and Extension Education program. "I chose Penn State for two main reasons. First, they offer fantastic Agricultural Education opportunities and have an extensive array of ag programs that could be tapped into along my journey. Secondly, from the first time I stepped onto Penn State’s campus I felt an overwhelming sense of community, and I knew this is a place I could call home for 4 years". During her time at Penn State, Elise has gotten to take part in a multitude of opportunities that have helped her along in her journey to teach. In addition to participating in an array of courses that helped to broaden her agricultural knowledge and better prepare her for classroom instruction, she has also had the opportunity to study abroad in Belize and Chile. "Those experiences have allowed me to see first-hand Agricultural and environmental practices and issues around the world". Through L.E.A.D. Society, Elise has been able to build lasting relationships with other pre-service Agricultural Educators and learn more about Agricultural Education in the United States through Domestic Study Away (DSA) in Montana and New England.

While she plans to continue her studies and complete her Master's Degree, Elise hopes to graduate and teach for a few years as a high school Agricultural Educator. In order to better prepare herself for life after college, she chose to complete her Student Teaching Internship with Mrs. Janae McMichael at Lampeter Strasburg High School. "I choose this program because they offer extensive Ag Mechanics courses and I really wanted to take time during my internship to strengthen those skills under an experienced teacher. I also felt that Mrs. McMichael would be a teacher that I would be able to work well with. She is very upbeat and supportive, but isn’t afraid to offer constructive criticism when it is needed". 

Just like many of the other individuals in her cohort, Elise is excited but nervous of how the current COVID-19 pandemic could negatively effect her Student Teaching experience. Despite these worries, Elise was able to learn how to adapt and persevere through the fall semester's social distancing and quarantine requirements. While she found it hard to maintain motivation in an ever changing environment online, Elise learned how to dodge the curveballs that the pandemic has thrown her way. "Being able to overcome challenges without being discouraged is a skill I will need going into my Student Teaching Internship and eventually a career in Agricultural Education". In addition to adapting to the current climate of society, Elise has been able to think about how to quickly change lessons to fit an online environment and has been collecting online education tools to help her students learn virtually.

While this past year has been challenging, Elise is more excited than ever to dodge those curveballs and dive into Student Teaching. Elise, WE ARE excited to see your growth this spring and are proud of the resilience you have shown this semester. Your ability to adapt and dedication to your future profession will bring you success no matter what comes your way. Be sure to keep up with her story in her blog "Elise's Educational Expedition" at eaged2021.blogspot.com.  

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022