March 2017 Student of the Month: George Dietrich (@TheGeorge4H)

Every month, we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in the Agriculture Education department! We are excited to announce that George Dietrich was selected as the March Student of the Month! Lets learn about his story and accomplishments so far.

George is currently a junior dual majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education and Food Science. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2018. Geroge is very passionate about his two majors for interesting reasons. His passion for food science came from his love for food and exploring how it is made. He also enjoys the aspects of making food safe, wholesome, and affordable for consumers. He had noted, "When I learned that I could have a major focused on food, as well as eat and make it I was convinced of the major." His passion for agricultural education is not any less important than his passion for food science. When  George participated in Shaver's Creek Outdoor School, and held an internship with Cooperative Extension he developed a passion for working with students. "I realized that I wanted to teach students agriculture in a high school setting after I had a couple of experiences teaching with older peers," he acknowledged. His main goal after college is to go out and teach in a high school to empower students and show them opportunities for future careers in the agriculture industry. To keep himself motivated towards this goal he is talking with teachers and other people that are in the education system about what they love about their job. He also is getting opportunities to do micro lessons with students, and each of these experiences help remind him why he loves his major.

George is also busy outside of the classroom being involved in clubs and organizations as well. He is a member of Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity, Dairy Science Club, Teach Ag Society, Coaly Society, and Alpha Tau Alpha.

Interesting fun facts about George:
Hometown: Sinking Spring, PA
Favorite PSU Class: FDSC 201, AEE 349
Birthday: September 12th 
Favorite Place to Eat at PSU: The Creamery. One word Milkshakes. #MilkshakeDiet

To learn more about George Dietrich follow him on twitter @TheGeorge4H 

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.

Luke Kerstetter

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @lmkerstetter96

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher

March 2016 Student of the Month: Nate Repetz (@N8_Reptz)

Every month we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in the Agriculture Education department! March we are proud to share some stories and accomplishments of Mr. Nate Repetz! 

Nate is a junior in Agriculture and Extension Education.  He spent his first year an a half at Altoona Campus where he also ran cross country.  Since his time at University Park Nate has become extremely involved.  He is the Domestic Study Away Chair for Teach Ag! Society and a second year Teach Ag! Avenger. His dedication and work ethic demonstrate his excitement for Agriculture Education.   Because of Nate's experience and passion he was chosen as one of 12 National Teach Ag! Ambassadors through the National Association of Agricultural Educators.  In his role as an Ambassador Nate continues to advocate for the "best job ever" Agricultural Education!  Not only is he involved and active in our major, but he is also involved in the larger College of Agricultural Sciences.  Nate serves as a mentor in the College of Ag Change of Campus Mentorship Program, he is a brother at Alpha Zeta an honorary professional co-ed agricultural fraternity and works at Farms Services.  


His first agricultural memories are at Pennsylvania Farm Show with his grandfather.  Nate grew up in 4-H where he was an active member of the Cumberland County 4-H for 11 years, where he went on to serve on the state officer team.  "I have come to love the world of youth development.  Growing up around peers who have no idea where their food comes from has lead me to agricultural education."  As a future Ag Teacher Nate looks forward to teaching agricultural mechanics and advising an FFA chapter!  When Nate is not in the classroom, working or participating in organizations he can be seen working on his pulling tractor or watching PA Posse Spring Car Racing!  Congratulations on being named the Student of the Month Nate!

Want to know some fun facts about Nate? Check them out below!

Hometown: New Cumberland, PA

Favorite PSU Class: AEE 349

Favorite place to eat in State College: Wings Over

Favorite Penn State Athletic Team: Football

Favorite Hangout on Campus: Anywhere with good WiFi and strong coffee! 

If you would like to read more about Nate, connect with him via Twitter: @N8_Repetz .  
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.

Kayla Hack

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

Reflections From a Pre-Service Teacher: "Shop things"

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” We have heard this quote many times before in regards to teaching and learning. Benjamin Franklin had a point.  As a student that is starting to look at classes and content through the eyes of a teacher, I couldn’t agree more.  Reflect with me for a few moments…

This is a lot different than a vehicle, and the other skid steer I
learned to drive!

The first day of AEE 349, Shop Processes for Agricultural Educators, Dr. Ewing asked us, what we thought the class would be about.  I watched three other roommates take the class so I responded with confidence and a smirk: “shop things.” We all laughed at how generic my response was, but reality hit hard that first day, I knew close to nothing about “shop things.”  The laughter and lack of knowledge about “shop things” was funny in the moment, but I didn’t realize it would bother me in the coming weeks.  The realization that I may have to teach agricultural mechanics processes one day set in, and so did my nerves.  Five weeks into class, they still do.  Every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 pm, I feel this anxiety bubbles up inside me.  Absolutely everything is new to me.  Four stroke engines, hardscapes, circular saws, welding, oxy acetylene… the list goes on and on.  Some of it is a foreign language to me, and I know a foreign language… But this, I might have to teach this. 

When about 4:05 pm hits and we are ready to get our hands dirty disassembling engines in the shop the look on my face must reflect the inner anxiety I feel.  It never fails one of my classmates, the teaching assistant or Dr. Ewing himself notice, ask if I am okay and reassure me that I can do it.  I will learn, and they will take care of me.

One of our units is small gas engines, my partner
and I are in the disassembling process. 

Some days it is easy to walk into class and pretend to know it all, or act like we have it all together.  When we are brave enough to raise our hand and guess, and it’s wrong, sometimes we are encouraged, and sadly other times we are not.   It is easy to say “no, that is not the exact answer I was looking for.”  It takes more thought and care though when a teacher responds with more questions; “Hmm… why do you think that?” Or “what does this part do? So does this make more sense?”    In this class, I can’t and I won’t know it all right away.  The process of learning something new is interesting and exciting, but filled with doubts and unknowns.  I have decided I will ask questions, even the ones with an obvious answer.  I will volunteer to explain how intake, compression, power and exhaust function, mess it up and be corrected so I learn the right process.  I will volunteer to use a circular saw in front of class, to demonstrate safety- but more than that, to step out of my comfort zone and put myself in the shoes of a student.   When I look at this with the eyes of a teacher, I realize I am learning.  I may be surrounded by people that have taken an agricultural mechanics class before, but chances are my future students, will be in my shoes: curious, anxious, interested and maybe a little confused or concerned. 

I hope I don’t forget the anxiety I feel in lab.  It gives me the correct fear and respect for equipment, and it is a feeling my students might have.  I had a false idea that I shouldn’t take classes that I don’t know anything about, maybe because they’re uncomfortable to be in, but isn’t that where true learning happens?  “There is no growth in a comfort zone, and there is no comfort in a growth zone.”  I will keep involving myself in learning about “shop things,” letting myself grow in the process. 

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.

Kayla Hack

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher