February 2021 AEE Student of the Month: Morgan Bear

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize a rock star student as the February Student of the Month for the Agricultural and Extension Education, Morgan Bear. Morgan is a sophomore here at Penn State and a graduate of the Big Spring High School in Newville, Pennsylvania.  She plans to major in Agricultural and Extension Education.

Morgan is no stranger to the agricultural industry.  She is a former 4-H member and FFA Alumni.  She was very active as a high school student in the Big Spring FFA chapter later serving as the 2018-2019 Pennsylvania FFA State Secretary.  After exploring her passion through several 4-H and FFA projects her passion led her to choosing to purse Agricultural and Extension Education.

When asked why she chose to attend Penn State Morgan stated, she is a first generation college student and was unsure of where she wanted to attend. After visiting a few schools, Morgan knew there was just something special about Penn State, BUT never visited the campus until she had served as a state officer! Through the connections made as a state officer with the Agricultural and Extension Education staff she made the decision to trade in the blue and gold for the blue and white! Morgan states: “Now, I could not imagine myself anywhere else!” We are surely glad she decided to join the #TeachAgPSU family!

One of the greatest qualities Morgan possesses is she is extremely active. While studying at Penn State she is active in the LEAD Society and Penn State Block and Brindle clubs, serves as a Teach Ag Avenger and works in the Center for Professional Personnel Development as a student worker. Morgan continues to be active outside of Penn State as she has accepted an internship with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau this summer!

Some fun facts about Morgan is she loves to eat at Little Szechuan downtown and The Waffle Shop! She was a competitive gymnast for 15 years and her favorite class at Penn State is AEE 204N, Agricultural Science Literacy and Policy. Upon graduation Morgan plans to pursue a career as a high school agricultural teacher! Morgan’s favorite quote is: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt.

Morgan we know no matter where you go, you will always do the best you can with what you have! We cannot wait to see you to continue to grow and impact future agriculturalist in your classroom! To keep up with Morgan on her Ag Ed Journey follow her on Twitter and Instagram @morganbear_.

Killiann George
CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2023

January 2021 AEE Student of the Month: Brandon Bixler

 The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to start off the year by recognizing the January Student of the Month for Agricultural and Extension Education who is a freshman from East Earl, Pennsylvania and the 2021 Pennsylvania FFA National Officer Candidate, Brandon Bixler! Brandon is planning to major in Agricultural and Extension Education with minors in International Agriculture, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and possibly Wildlife and Fisheries.

Brandon attended Garden Spot High School in New Holland, Pennsylvania where he was involved in the agricultural education program as a Grassland FFA member. Brandon shares

"I didn't come from an agricultural background, so I have a passion for teaching others who may not have agricultural experience. My own experience proves just how valuable and transformative an agricultural education can be, and I want to pass on the positive impact my own agriculture teachers have made on my life! I also value teaching with a global perspective and helping to improve food security around the world. Agriculture is essential for a sustainable future for our world, and I find it exciting to be a part of that!" He has shown great growth and determination as he served the Pennsylvania FFA Association in 2019-2020 as the State Vice-President. As Brandon's journey through agricultural education continues he has chosen Penn State to further his studies.

While in high school, Brandon had numerous agricultural educators that attended Penn State and encouraged him to check out the program."I was privileged to learn from and work with numerous ag teachers who went to Penn State for Agricultural and Extension Education, and in those teachers I saw leaders and role models of the kind of person I wanted to be! After I made the decision to teach ag, coming to Penn State was a no brainer!" These were not the only reasons Brandon chose Penn State, he also chose Penn State because of the incredible agriculture teacher training program Penn State offers and the professional networks that Penn State holds within agricultural education across the state and country.

While attending Penn State for the first year, Brandon has gotten a great start at developing his leadership roles in student organizations and clubs. He currently serves as the LEAD Society Treasurer, and Ag Student Council Financial Chair, while he is also involved in Collegiate Farm Bureau. Brandon also works as an Undergraduate Intern for the Global Teach Ag Network and as a Teach Ag Avenger. In addition to the time Brandon spends across these areas he also is involved in an Undergraduate Research Project with a group called Agriculture for Africa. "I review best practices in using agricultural education to support high-risk youth populations. An end goal of this project is to use agricultural/career and technical education to support high-risk youth in jails/correctional facilities in the country of Cameroon."

Outside of Penn State and agriculture, Brandon enjoys cheering on his favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State any chance he gets! He also enjoys spending time outside such as hunting, fishing, and hiking. He loves spending time with family and friends, playing card/board games, and reading good books! Upon graduation, he plans to become a high school agricultural education teacher in Pennsylvania and is interested in exploring research, international teaching, and business opportunities. Brandon's favorite quote he shared that helped him to gain a different perspective on leadership was "Leadership is lonely" from Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding. 

Brandon, we are so excited to watch you grow over your years at Penn State and know you will continue to accomplish great things as a student and future agricultural educator! WE ARE so proud to have you represent Pennsylvania FFA and Penn State Ag Ed at the national level. To keep up with Brandon on his Ag Ed journey be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrandonBixler and on Instagram @brandon.bixler.

   

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2023

Calling all Penn State Teach Ag! Avengers! #PSUavengers

2014 Teach Ag! Avengers (left to right)
Olivia Murphy-Sweet, Janae Herr, Deanna Miller, Laura Metrick, Rea Ianson
Rachel Telesz, Howard Poole 

In a world troubled by a national shortage of agriculture educators and the people searching for hero’s to educate them about agriculture, there is only one group that can save the day. One group that is selfless in their acts of helping others understand agriculture education, noble in sticking up and defending why agriculture is important, and cunningly clever in their innovative ideas and perspectives that they bring to the table. That group is the Penn State Teach Ag! Avengers!

With the ending of a term, new Avengers are interviewed to be selected to serve a year engaging students to join the agriculture education major and to serve as a “face” for the Penn State Agricultural Education Teacher Education program at State and National Agricultural Functions.

How can you become an Avenger you may be thinking to yourself? That’s easy! 

To be eligible for this position you need to be a student majoring in Agriculture Education at ANY Penn State campus. You must hand in the following before December 4^th, 2015:

     - A Letter of Interest

  - Resume

    - A 750 word essay

   - A document about who you are

Also, something that is BRAND NEW this year is that all applicants will participate in a face to face interview with a panel of agricultural education colleagues (students at a commonwealth campus don’t worry! We will accommodate your schedule!) as well as give a 10 minutes presentation during the face to face interview. The topic you may wonder? “You are a Penn State Teach Ag! Avenger and you are asked to present to group of high school juniors interested in Penn State and Agriculture Education” Pretty simple right?!

Current Avenger Team (left to right):
Olivia Murphy-Sweet, Janae Herr, Nate Repetz, Danielle Johnson, Katie Andrews 

If you want to see more of the application and what else the program can do for you, check out this link for more information and to answer any questions you may have: 

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jv6nNzGuACVDgv1cX3pkPO5zNXYwN2sJBISsmqWfmk4/edit?usp=sharing

We hope that you use your special “super power” and make an impact on students and peers lives! 

The application is LIVE and is due on Friday, December 4^th by 11:59 EST. Please send applications to Melissa Sankey, mls501@psu.edu.

 Good luck to all you future Avengers! 

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