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

Second Year Series: A Check-In with Ms. Amanda Forstater (@CityAggie)

Ms. Amanda Forstater is a #psuaged15 member
and 2015 Penn State graduate.

It's great to keep in touch with our past #TeachAgPSU graduates! We love to give you a chance to see what kinds of awesome things our Teach Ag Grads are up to in the classroom and beyond!  

This week we're checking in with #psuaged15 member Ms. Amanda Forstater (@CityAggie) as part of our Second Year Series! Since her graduation from Penn State in 2015 with a Masters in Agricultural and Extension Education, Amanda was hired to teach agriculture in the small rural community around Pierson, Florida, at Taylor Middle-Senior High School. 

Through her time at Penn State, Taylor was actively involved in Alpha Tau Alpha (Penn State's chapter of the professional honorary fraternity for agricultural education majors), and a brother of Alpha Zeta. She also took advantage of a trip to Trinidad and Tobago as part of Penn State's INTAD 820 course to learn about Caribbean agriculture, and participated in the joint #AgEd2Korea trip with University of Florida students in 2014. Her student teaching experience took place at Tri-Valley High School with cooperating teacher Ms. Gretchen Dingman.

Ms. Forstater and her student teaching
counterpart, Ms. Gretchen Dingman of
Tri-Valley High School.

In her new position, Ms. Forstater is one of three agriculture teachers at Taylor Middle-Senior High School. She teaches the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade courses as well as several sections of the Foundations of Agriscience prerequisite for all upper-level high school agriculture courses. She also says, "We are fortunate to have an agricultural mechanics shop and a 9-acre land lab on campus where we are set up to handle livestock and horticulture projects."

We asked Amanda what she's did differently in her second year of teaching than her first, and she said she had much more confidence. "During my first year I looked to my teaching partner for the final decision making in a situation regarding our program, and while we still make joint decisions I am confident in making program decisions and handling situations alone." Her confidence is reflected in her teaching as well, and she's really working to make classroom her own. Forstater emphasizes that she's taken risks with ideas that haven't worked out, but emphasizes that it's okay. 

Ms. Forstater (3rd form L) and employees of the Florida Forest Service.

One of the biggest things Ms. Forstater learned from the two years under he belt is that it's okay to ask for help. She describes her county as being especially welcoming. She's a member of the Volusia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (VVATA), a county-wide group of agriculture teachers that support each other's agriculture programs. She says, "At first it might seem uncomfortable to ask for help because as a new teacher you want to prove that you can hang...", but explains that being part of the group, and seeking help when it's needed, shows the 'veterans' that she's here to stay.

We asked if Ms. Forstater has any advice for those on the pathway to becoming an agricultural educator, and she says the best piece of advice is to not give up, and appreciate the good moments. She says, "There will be days where you go home exhausted and not sure why you chose this career", but that there's plenty of days that will remind you that the students in your classroom are your students, and they will make you proud. She also comments on all the 'extra' jobs of an agricultural educator, including but not limited to: administrative paperwork, lesson plans, and all the paperwork for fairs and FFA events. She recommends to approach it all just as you approach any other large task - piece by piece. 

We wish Ms. Forstater the best of luck as she continues through her third year of teaching at Taylor Middle-Senior High School, and look forward to following her through the journey ahead!

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, Student Blogger

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

The Pennsylvania State University

Email: hlk5120@psu.edu

Instagram: kauffman_hunter

An Adventure to New England: The 2014 Big E Trip!

On September 12th, six Collegiate FFA students traveled to Springfield, Massachusetts with Dr. Ewing to help out at the Eastern State Exhibition, better known as the Big E! After arriving in
Springfield after the 7 hour van ride early Friday morning, the Penn State students had the chance to work with two different CDE's (Career Development Events).

Janae Herr (@kjherr17), Janae Bickhart (@janaebickhart) and Laura Metrick (@its_laurabeth) had the opportunity to judge the Extemporaneous Public Speaking CDE. There were eight competitors from 8 different states competing this year. The competitors had 30 minutes to prepare a 4-6 minute speech on a topic they chose at random.

Kate Bassett (@bassklynn), Amanda Forstater (@cityaggie) and Mikaela Hermstedt (twitterlessMikaela) along with Dr. Ewing (@jce122), helped out at the Vet Skills CDE on Friday as well. The purpose of this CDE is to demonstrate student knowledge and abilities in the small animal care field. This includes information and skills used in a veterinary hospital, laboratory facility or pet shop/grooming facility. Amanda Forstater said "Working in the skills demonstration part of the contest gave me the chance to work one-on-one with the students and see what they knew! I had a great time and I am really excited to possibly coach my own Vet Skills team during my student teaching!"

FFA members participating in the Poultry
Evaluation CDE

On Saturday, the Penn State students helped out with the Poultry Evaluation and Environmental and
Natural Resources CDE's. In the Poultry CDE, students worked as an individual and a team to complete many tasks. Some of the stations included judging live hens, eggs and processed poultry products. Janae Herr was one of the students that served as a group leader this year. She stated"I love the opportunity to watch students get a little competitive while applying the skills they learned in the classroom to industry practices. It was great to see all of their hard work paying off!"

The environmental and Natural Resources CDE is designed to prepare students to enter careers in the environmental and natural resources industry. Students also competed as both an individual and a team in this event. The competitors go through many activities and practicums environmental and natural resource scenarios.

Penn State CFFA Members: Amanda, Kate, Mikaela, Laura, Janae B.  and Janae H. 

On Saturday evening the Penn State Crew attended the annual CDE awards banquet. Individual and team awards were given out for each of the Career Developments that took place that weekend along with the sweepstakes award that is given to the state that does the best overall throughout all events. This year it went to Ohio! National FFA Officer, Jason Wetzler, was there to give a speech as well!

The 2014 Big E Trip was a great way for Penn State students to see how the CDE's work on a different level, represent Penn State and of course get to know each other better on that seven hour van ride!

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!

Laura Metrick 
@Its_LauraBeth
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher

PSU Teach Ag! Society Welcomes You Back to School! #agedu

Since it is the beginning of the school year, the Teach Ag! Society would like to welcome you to the new school year! If you have never heard of Teach! Ag Society, we are a group of motivated agriculture education students who do activities involving the Agriculture Education major and complete other educational events throughout the year! You don't have to be in the major to join this awesome organization! If you don’t know the officers, we would like to introduce you to the team.

2014 Teach Ag! Society Executive Team

President:
Ms. Jillian Gordon,
 2015 Student Teacher,
 @jillianpsu

Vice President: 

Ms. Laura Metrick,

2015 Student Teacher,

 @Its_Laurabeth

Secretary: 
Ms. Cassidy Cheddar,
 2015 Student Teacher,
@crcheddar

Membership Secretary:
Ms. Janae Bickhart, 

2015 Student Teacher,

@JanaeBickhart

Treasurer:

 Mr. Tyler Schaeffer,

 2015 Student Teacher,

 @TylerDSchaeffer

CFFA Liaison:

Ms. Deanna Miller,

 2015 Student Teacher,

 @deannapsu15

Social Committee Chairs:

Ms. Amanda Forstater,

 2015 Student Teacher, @CityAggie

 Ms. Katie Andrews, 
2015 Student Teacher, @klandrews_24

Prof. Dev. Committee Chair:

Ms. Rea Ianson, 

2015 Student Teacher,

 @rnianson08

Fundraising Committee Chair:

Mr. Howard Poole, 

2015 Student Teacher,

@howie_plumcrazy

Outreach & Comm. Service

Ms. Rachel Telesz 

2015 Student Teacher,

@rachie12rach

Ms. Olivia Murphy-Sweet, 

2015 Student Teacher,

@OSweetMurph

If you see any of the officers or committee chairs, feel free to stop by and ask them questions! We just had our Welcome Back Picnic, so keep in touch with our future events!  Keep checking your Teach Ag Tuesday Email Blast's (to be added to the listserv email foster@psu.edu)  for more information and when our meetings are going to be held!

 Become apart of the Ag Ed TEAM!

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!

Olivia Murphy-Sweet

Student Blogger

Teach Ag! Avenger

Twitter Handle- @OSweetMurph

 2016 Agricultural Education Student Teacher 

Governor School (#PGSAS14) going Global! #globalag

Remember when you were a kid and you went to a summer camp? Either your parents forced you leave or you wanted to actually go? Well, these 27 academically talented students from all across Pennsylvania were selected to go away for four weeks to Penn State’s University Park campus for Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences! This is the first time that this program has been opened since 2008!

Students from all around Pennsylvania have traveled to Penn State to learn about what the College of Ag has to offer. The students have four weeks to see if Penn State is right for them as well as if they truly do want to major in agriculture. One class was taught by the AEE program about Global Agriculture! Directed and facilitated by Dr. Daniel Foster and Dr. Melanie Foster, they took 8 volunteers to help create and then teach their own individual lesson plans that related to global agriculture! With four undergrads and four graduate students, two of which were international students, was the perfect blend for this week long class!  

 

Outlined below is the classes that were taught and by who! 

Students touring the greenhouse

Monday: Taught by Amanda Forstater (@CityAggie)

“Chocolate from Cacao to Bar”

This was the first class where Amanda challenged the students to think about the entire process of how chocolate.  They used the scientific process to hypothesize and then were rewarded with two different chocolate bars from different countries! 

Trying Indian Cuisine! YUM! 

Tuesday: Taught by Roshan Nayak (Ph.D candidate)

“Importance of Food in Your Life”

The students were able to study food systems and nutritional values! They played games to see what foods go in a balanced diet and what farm life was in India! Since Roshan is from India, he was able to give an insight of what life is actually like! The students were also able to dine on some local Indian food! 

Students dressing in traditional Korean attire

Wednesday: Taught by Janae Bickhart (@JanaeBickhart)

“Global Competency”

The students really focused on what the definition of “global competency” was and as well as learn about Korea! Since Janae was one of the students on the trip she brought a “study abroad” experience to the classroom! The students were able to try sample native foods such as  a kimichi, paint fans, and even dress in traditional Korean clothes!  

Learning definitions! 

Thursday: Taught by Stacia Creed (@stacia_creed)

“Food Security”

The students learned a lot with this lesson because they had to do an experiment to feed everyone in their group on a tight budget with a typical American price tag. The students said that they were surprised about how much food actually costs to feed a group of people! 

During the week long instruction, the students were also able to do two labs!

Lab One: Taught by Nur Husna Abd Wahid (Ph. D candidate)

“Malaysian Dancing”

For this lab the students were able to strut their stuff to see if they can dance the traditional dances of the Malaysian culture! There are videos if you click on this link!

Students completing the Amazing Race!

Lab Two: Taught by Olivia Murphy-Sweet (@OSweetMurph)

“Smart Goals and the Amazing Race!”

For this lab, the students learned about SMART goals (how to make them and what they wanted to do). They were also able to go on an Amazing Race tour around campus to learn  about what global programs that Penn State has to offer. 

  

Overall, the facilitators and the students had a great time! We hope that they learned a lot and that they come back to be Penn Staters! If you also want to check out a blog that the students wrote about their time with the class you can check out what they had to say here! 

WE ARE……!

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! 

 Olivia Murphy-Sweet
Student Blogger
Teach Ag! Avenger
Twitter Handle- @OSweetMurph
2016 Agricultural Education Student Teacher