#psuaged15 Students #GoAllOut for Professional Development from @NAAE at @NationalFFA Convention

Three members of the 2015 student teacher co-hort have been chosen to attend the National Agriscience Pre-service Teacher Program provided by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). The program will be held on Wednesday, October 29th  during the 2014 National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bryanna Kenno

Rea Ianson

Bryanna Kenno (@bkenno4), Rea Ianson (@rnianson08), and Howard Poole (@howie_poole) will be attending the program that focuses on developing inquiry-based lessons for their use. The program aims to promote inquiry-based learning and enhance science in agriculture. Bryanna, Rea and Howard will participate in the hands on workshop and be able to create inquiry-based lessons that they can use during their student teaching experience this spring.

Bryanna said "I am most excited to meet the other participants from states all throughout the nation. I'm anxious to exchange ideas, network with other pre-service teachers and just be a part of this awesome opportunity!" 

Students were chosen to participate in the workshop through an application submission through the National Association of Agriculture Educators.

Rea Ianson stated, "I am excited to be able to learn new techniques and tips that I can utilize in my classroom while getting to interact with the awesome group of student teachers!"

Howard Poole

Along with the pre-service teacher program, many Penn State students will be staffing the State Photo booth, judging CDE events, working the Penn State College of Ag Sciences booth and competing in ATA conclave events. The National Convention will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, October 29 through November 1.

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

Student Blogger
@Its_LauraBeth
2015 Student Teacher

National FFA Parliamentary Procedure Career Development Event Reflection

L-R Tyler Scheffer, Olivia Murphy-Sweet, and Doug Masser

I was fortunate enough to travel with Penn State to the 86^th Annual FFA National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. There were over 62,000 FFA members in downtown Louisville for a week celebrating agriculture and FFA. This year, I had the honor to be a judge at the Novice Parliamentary Procedures Competition for the Society of Agricultural Education Parliamentarians, be an assistant with the Senior Parliamentary ProceduresCareer Development Event for national FFA and work at the Penn State booth to promote how amazing our school is. Now, this may sound hectic and busy, but I was able to be a part of a national conference and make an impact on the lives of the students that were there.

Students competing in the Final Rounds

During the Novice Parliamentary Competition, students have to demonstrate a knowledge in Roberts Rules of Order (the bible of Parliamentary Procedures), good debates that are prevalent to the motion at hand, make the motions that they were assigned to, which is on a card in front of them, and have 3 debates. Although there are more rules and regulations regarding the competition, the students have the opportunity to show us how well they work as a team to get a meeting completed in under 12 minutes. In addition, they also have a written test and oral questions after they presentation their meeting to the judges. The national winners this year were from the San Luis Obispo chapter from California. They blew the judges away with their presentation and their knowledge.

Another Penn State student, Tyler Schaeffer, a coach of the Cumberland Valley’s National Parliamentary Procedures team, has a tremendous respect for this competition. “I feel that the Parliamentary CDE is one of the best competitions that students can test themselves. It demonstrates teamwork, communication skills, makes them understand parliamentary knowledge, and develops leaders.” This is more than just a competition. It is preparing the world for future leaders who understand the proper way of how to run meetings and have reinforced better communication skills.  

View of the Parliamentary Procedure room

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
2016 Student Teacher 
@OSweetMurph

Two National Teach Ag Ambassadors for Consecutive Years! WE ARE...PENN STATE!

Meagan and Jillian at National Convention,
 one could say they are passionate for FFA

PSU² AGAIN!

Two Penn State students were chosen to be Teach Ag Ambassadors for National FFA, for the second year in a row! Meagan Slates and Jillian Gordon are two out of 11 students across the country that will be talking to high school students at the National FFA Convention about majoring in agricultural education.

The purpose of the campaign is to increase awareness of the need for more agricultural teachers. Their is a critical shortage of teachers across the nation, a crisis that has been acknowledged in public comment by both the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDE Secretary Arne Duncan. In the next three years, there are more than 700 agricultural teachers expected to retire. There are also new programs opening up that are in need of teachers to fill their positions. Every student deserves the opportunity to be engaged in a outstanding agricultural education program and the agriscience teacher is the most important element to the success of a secondary agricultural education  program. More information about the Teach Ag Campaign can be found at their website.

Applicants submitted an application, resume, references and an essay on their desire to be a National Teach Ag Ambassador. The next step involved a phone interview. The ideal candidates are friendly or easy to talk to and have a passion for agricultural education. Their duties include attending the nation’s largest annual gathering of students, National FFA Convention, and staffing the National Teach Ag booth in the National FFA Career Expo where more than 54,000 students, teachers, school administrators, former FFA members and guests tour the More than 350 exhibitors at the Expo. In addition, all the ambassadors will be paired with an agriculture teacher as a mentor who will help and guide them to plan, prepare and present an agriculture lesson at a Louisville area middle school, a great field teaching experience! Other opportunities or duties could be assigned as they arise!

Meagan Slates is a senior and going to student teach in spring 2014

Meagan Slates believes that AEE majors in college have the opportunity to pay it forward by really connecting with high school students and get them thinking about life after high school and the best major out there – agricultural education.  Meagan feels honored to be a part of the National Teach Ag Campaign. She highly enjoys interacting and teaching students. Her goal is to have every student that walks by the booth at national convention to at least consider the amazing career of  teaching agriculture. Meagan thinks this position will be a huge learning experience for her. It is bigger than anything that she has ever experienced as an educator. As a girl that does not typically leave the state of Pennsylvania, this position is out of Meagan’s comfort zone, but she looks forward to the challenge. Meagan went with the PSU Teach Ag Society to Arizona to visit agricultural educational programs and learned that there is so much more out there and so many programs to be involved in. Being involved in the Campaign will help her to become a better leader and educator. 

Jillian Gordon is a junior and will be student teaching in spring 2015

Jillian Gordon is a veteran Teach Ag Ambassador. She had to re-apply the same as everyone else and made the cut again. She really enjoyed her first year as a Teach Ag Ambassador and with a year of experience under her, she will be able to take full advantage of the opportunity.  Jill is excited to have the chance to connect with other NAAE (National Association of Agricultural Educators) members around the country. It is important as an agricultural educator to network as much as possible in order to gain experience and become the best agricultural teacher she can be for her future students.  Jill said the position will be very similar to last year, although the structure of the program has changed since last year. The booth will be all new this year and they will receive a workshop day, so they really understand the purpose of the National Teach Ag campaign.

I know Meagan and Jillian will represent Penn State and our agricultural education program well. With Penn State² again, I hope it really becomes a continuing tradition to always have PSU students involved. Heather Pray, a girl that was a Teach Ag Ambassador last year with Jill, recently graduated this spring and is looking to go into working with youth through 4-H. 

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! 

Jeanne Case

Student Blogger

2014 Dover HS Student Teacher

Twitter: JRose_Case

AEE Major Olivia Murphy-Sweet Has a Passion to Help Students Reach Their Full Potential!

Days of Service at National FFA Convention.

My name is Olivia Murphy-Sweet and I am currently attending Penn State Mont Alto. I am an Agriculture and Extension Education Major and am hoping to transfer up to University Park in the fall.

Growing up, I didn’t live on a farm; I didn’t own animals and I certainly did not know a lot about agriculture. All I knew was that I loved food and thought that cows were cute. When I started high school in my sophomore year I learned about the amazing opportunities in FFA that were offered. I was honestly scared out of my mind when I walked into that first FFA Leadership Class my sophomore year. I was out of my comfort zone but was ready to see what this whole “Ag” thing was about. During that class amazing things happened. I made new friends, signed up to go on a trip and also got to meet my FFA advisor, Mr. Mike Woods. I walked out of there feeling a sense of home and belonging on that very first day. After that, everything went uphill. My high school experience wouldn’t have been the same if it wasn’t for FFA or the Agriculture classes offered in my school.

"The reasons I want to be an Agriculture Education teacher is because of my drive for helping students understand not only what agriculture is, but helping students learn to reach their full potential." 

Receiving my Keystone Degree at the PA FFA
Mid-Winter Convention.

The reasons I want to be an Agriculture Education teacher is because of my drive for helping students understand not only what agriculture is, but helping students learn to reach their full potential. I want to have an Ag room where my students feel comfortable and have a sense of belonging. I want to have my students walking into class excited to learn and walk out of my class smiling because I have made their day just a little bit better than it was before. Agriculture isn’t just about farming or animals, it’s about hard work and determination to get the job done.

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes 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 @TeachAgPSU, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg.

By: Olivia Murphy-Sweet

AEE Major/PSU Mont Alto

Student Blogger

2016 Student Teacher Candidate

National Championship!!! Penn State Alpha Tau Alpha wins National Quiz Bowl Competition

Indianapolis – Five dedicated Agricultural and Extension Education (AEE) majors saw their hard work pay off on October 25 in Indianapolis, Indiana as they were crowned National Champions in a National Quiz Bowl Event. Students in any agriculturally related student organization in universities across the nation could compete in the event hosted by the National Alpha Tau Alpha (ATA) organization.   Alpha Tau Alpha is a National Professional Honorary Agricultural Education Organization which plays a vital role in preparing individuals who wish to pursue careers in Agricultural and Extension Education. Alpha Tau Alpha chapters exist in more than thirty one states across the United States and pride their organizations for outstanding and diligent work in professional development, fundraising, community service and fellowship. Penn State's Eta chapter was founded in 1931.

From Left to Right: Ashley Tressler,
Jeanne Case, Caleb Wright,
Mackenzie McCollum, Emily Urban

Each year, the National ATA Organization holds competitive events during the ATA Conclave, which is held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention. Penn State's team consisted of five students, Mackenzie McCollum, senior and 2013 Student Teacher; Caleb Wright, junior and 2014 Student Teacher; Ashley Tressler, senior and 2013 Student Teacher;  Jeanne Case, junior and 2014 Student Teacher; and Emily Urban junior and 2014 Student Teacher; as the alternate. 

The team endured four rounds of competition in their quest for a national championship.. During the competition, questions were asked to test the students knowledge in three areas; Technical Agriculture, Professional Education, and Agricultural Education. Each round of play consisted of four teams with four members each. The top two teams at the end of the round moved to the next round. Each round consisted of 18 toss up questions, six from each area listed above. Each toss up question was worth two points. Each toss up question was followed by a bonus question, where a team could receive up to four points for the correct answer.

The team anxiously waiting for the next question.

While the competition was tough, Penn State’s well rounded team prevailed, which is not surprising considering the amount of practice they put in to prepare themselves for the competition. Teammate Caleb Wright claims, “Competing in quiz bowl was an awesome experience. The team was able to represent not only the University, but the College of Agricultural Sciences and the AESE Department as well. Bringing home the championship was icing on the cake! Preparing as a team was a great way to forge new friendships and build on the ones already formed. Agricultural Education at Penn State and throughout the country is a close knit group, so any chance to learn more about your future colleagues is always a blast.”

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes 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 @TeachAgPSU, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg.

Helping National FFA Convention Attendees Discover how they can "Grow" at Penn State

What gets these University students excited?  

For them it was over 54,000 blue FFA jackets in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.  During the week of October 23rd-27th, over 20 Penn State students traveled to the National FFA Convention to represent the Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences.  The National FFA Organization is a youth organization that makes a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.The National FFA Convention is held once a year to give agricultural students in the National FFA Organization the opportunity to compete in various career development events, take part in motivational sessions, and explore their college and career futures.

2012 Penn State Recruitment Staff!

Throughout the week Penn State students assisted in several career development events including Parliamentary Procedure, Food Sciences, and Veterinary Science.  Students also spent many hours recruiting students at the collegiate fair.  At the Penn State booth, FFA members could ask questions about the University and the many opportunities in the College of Agricultural Sciences.  

Matt Dodson, AEE major and 2016 Student Teacher Candidate, said, "This experience helped me see how many opportunities I can introduce my future students to in the Food, Fiber, and Natural Resource Industry!"

FFA members also got to test their knowledge in a game of Jeopardy that highlighted facts about FFA, agriculture, and Penn State University.  Oh did we mention that students could even get a free cookie!  Kudos to a job well done representing our University!

Check out the pure energy from the National FFA Convention Theme Video below:

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes 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 @TeachAgPSU, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg

PSU Ag Ed student to compete for National FFA Officer

Penn State Ag Ed Sophmore Jenna Moser was selected to represent PA for the chance to become a National FFA Officer at this year's National FFA Convention to be held in Indianapolis, IN October 24-27, 2012.

National FFA Officers give up a year of there lives to serve the FFA in a variety of functions. They will represent the FFA at the local, state, national, and even international levels. National FFA Officers travel more than 100,000 miles during their year of service and spend much of their time living in hotel rooms and eating meals on the go. They have opportunities to meet thousands of people including corporate CEOs, government officials, and FFA members from around the country and spread the message of FFA and the importance of Agricultural Education in our future.

We asked Jenna a few questions about what this experience has meant to her.

Jenna, can you tell us what this whole experience has meant to you?

In October of 2008, I attended my very first National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.  I remember being completely immersed in the sessions and feeling empowered by a National Officer’s charge to make a difference.  It was during that very moment in the crowd of thousands that I decided I wanted to advance as far as possible in the FFA, and serve as a National Officer.  Initially I thought the role of National Officers was to perform at the convention in October, and I was in love with that idea.  As I continued to learn more about the organization I was able to better define the reason why I wanted to serve.  Now four years later, I still love the idea of being up in front of thousands of people and simultaneously speaking to them each individually, motivating them to make their communities better, and to strengthen their connections with others.  While that moment is an extremely important one, I acknowledge that the smaller portions along the way are just as necessary if not more.  Those portions are to listen to chapter members, meet with industry representatives and partners, and to share the story of agriculture, agriculture education, and the FFA with people everywhere.  The opportunity that I am blessed with now, to serve as the National Officer Candidate for the FFA, is much more than a four year dream.  This opportunity is a chance to make myself smaller so that I can recognize and encourage the greatness of everyone else!

What have you been doing to prepare for this opportunity?

• Met with American Farm Bureau
• Met with USDA Chief of Staff Krysta Harden, discussed agriculture issues
• Job Shadowed, Max Finberg, who works in a White House Office in the department of Ministries and Faith-Based organizations.  During shadow experience attended a meeting in the First Lady’s Office.
• Meeting with Pfizer to learn more about them, discuss agriculture issues, and participate in mock interviews
• Meeting with Monsanto to learn more about how they operate, discuss agriculture issues, tour facility, participate in mock interviews 
• Meeting with National Corn Growers Association to learn how they interact with people, expand my knowledge base about them and tour their facilities 
• Visiting with an urban agriculture teachers in St. Louis who will discuss Missouri FFA, agriculture, and how her chapter operates (hopefully will be able to meet with a few FFA members).  In addition, the teacher is setting up local tours to botanical gardens, and other agriculture programs – this is free of charge.
• [I plan to] Attend training organized by a past National Officer Candidate, Dr. David Frazier, who knows the National Officer Selection process very well.  This session is free of charge, with the exception of the flight. 
• During the training I will meet several other candidates and go through every interview round twice.
• [I will be] Attending the World Food Prize Conference in Des Moines, Iowa to put my mind back into perspective as to why I am running for a National Office.  The answer is simple, that the world is so much greater than me.  I hope to instill in others everywhere the notion that there is a need to make a positive difference.

We in the Penn State Ag Ed Family wish Jenna the best of luck on her pursuit to become a National FFA Officer!