2019 Student Teacher Check-In with Victoria Herr (@Victoria_Herr)

We love hearing from our Student Teachers! Aside from frequently checking in with them, and seeing all the amazing things they do with their students in their classrooms and through FFA, we would like to help share their experience student teaching, how they're overcoming the challenges they meet along the way, and how they're preparing themselves for a future teaching Agriculture!

Our next Student Teacher Check-In is with Ms. Victoria Herr, spending her spring semester alongside Mr. Jerry Hughes at Penns Manor High School in Clymer, PA. We asked Victoria about her favorite parts of student teaching, challenges, and unique opportunities she was able to have along the way so far.

We're already seeing a common theme among our student teachers, as Victoria shares that her favorite part of student teaching is the students. “Almost every day after school, I find myself calling my family and friends to talk about 'my kids'. They make me laugh, keep me on my toes, and remind me of why I am here.” Through her time at Penns Manor, she has really enjoyed building relationships with her students, and she’s going to miss them when it’s time for her to leave the school.

Victoria's students working in her Small Gas Engines class.

Victoria has the opportunity to teach a number of classes at Penns Manor, including Animal Science, Small Gas Engines, Electricity, Floriculture, Plant Science, and Leadership. She finds it hard to pick a favorite class because she loves the variety she gets to see throughout a days’ work of teaching. “The variability of my days is exciting and really keeps me on my toes.”

One of the greatest opportunities Victoria’s had since starting her student teaching at Penns Manor is to work beside a veteran teacher like Mr. Hughes. “Mr. Hughes has quite a few years under his belt, he is an important member of the community, and he is an amazing ag teacher. His stories always make me laugh but honestly, I have learned so much from him.” Victoria sees him as an excellent mentor, and a great resource. He’s helped substantially in reminder her when she needs to work on what and has been a source of encouragement for her during tough days.

One of the challenges that Victoria has faced this semester is the challenge of stepping into a teaching and learning environment that is different than what she’s been used to in the past. The students and the area are different from where Victoria grew up, so she’s been working to adapt her teaching style to meet the needs of her students. “I have learned to roll with the punches and adjust my teaching to what will suit them and motivate them the best.” Another challenge, which is common for any teacher, is to know that plans will always change. Whether lessons take longer or shorter than expected, schedules change, or anything else happens, Victoria says that ultimately her instruction is focused on the needs of her students.

We asked Victoria if she has any advice to share about her student teaching experience, and she wanted to share advice for the future AEE cohorts at Penn State. She says to, “Find the right cooperating teacher. You can learn the content anywhere, you can master skills anywhere.” It’s important to find a cooperating teacher who you’re comfortable with, and who will push you to be the best teacher you can be. Victoria’s student teaching experience is going well because she was able to choose a mentor that she can ask questions, get advice from, and rely on when she needs help. It's never too early to start thinking ahead, building connections, and planning what your student teaching experience will entail for you.

“I couldn’t imagine student teaching anywhere else…”

It was fantastic to be able to check in with Ms. Victoria Herr and gain some more insight into what the student teaching experience is like. We wish Victoria the best of luck as she powers through the rest of her student teaching experience and prepares to graduate from Penn State in May!   

Hunter Kauffman

Team Leader, @TeachAgPSU Communications

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

October 2018 Student of the Month: Victoria Herr (@Victoria_Herr)

Each month we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in their involvement in the agriculture education program at PSU! Our October student of the month is Ms. Victoria Herr! Victoria is a senior in the Agricultural and Extension Education Program, preparing to student teach in the spring at Penns Manor high school in Indiana County, PA. Let's learn a little bit about her as we celebrate her achievements and success!

Victoria has been involved in FFA all throughout her high school career at Penn Manor, competing in multiple State and National Career Development Events (CDE's). Her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in high school was raising hogs and dairy beef. She served as a county officer and went on to also serve as the 2014 - 2015 Pennsylvania FFA secretary and received her American Degree in 2015. 

Since arriving at Penn State Victoria has been very active within the college community. Here on campus, Victoria has been involved in Teach Ag Society, Collegiate FFA, and is a founding member and current President of The LEAD Society at Penn State. She also is a member of Alpha Tau Alpha chapter on campus, the national professional honorary agricultural education organization. We asked Victoria what her favorite thing about Penn State is, and she responded, " I love the family atmosphere and camaraderie! I've always felt at home at Penn State!". 

Fun Facts:

Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Birthday: June 11th

Favorite PSU Class: HORT 497: Hydroponics and Aquaponics

Favorite Sports Team: Penn State Football!!

Favorite Hangout on Campus: 213 Ferguson

Favorite Place to Eat in State College: The Field or Big Bowl

We congratulate Victoria and wish her the best of luck as she prepares for student teaching this spring and graduation in May of 2019. Seeing her accomplishments thus far, it'll be a breeze! If you would like to follow her on her journey, check out her Twitter (@Victoria_Herr)!

@TeachAgPSU #psuaged19 members National Award Winners!

Lisa Boltz

22 students from across the United States had received the Upper Division Scholarship from the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). Their efforts in academic performance, leadership, service, and passion to become an agricultural educator has allowed them to qualify for this scholarship. Penn State has three students that were selected to receive this scholarship Lisa Boltz, Victoria Herr, and Ryan Rupert. Each of them will receive $1,500 to offset their expenses during their student teaching experience this spring.

Ryan Rupert

Since 2010 Penn State has submitted 27 applicants and had 20 national award winners, and this is the fourth year in a row that Penn State has had 100% of applicants receive this scholarship! The scholarship amount per student it $1,500, this represents $30,000 secured from NAAE since 2010 to advance our candidates' teacher education. Of our 20 national winners, 16 of them are currently teaching in high school programs.

Lisa Boltz will be student teaching at Dover Area High School, Victoria Herr will be student teaching at Penns Manor High School, and Ryan Rupert will be student teaching at Greenwood High School.

Victoria Herr

The funding for this scholarship came from Growth Energy, National Geographic Learning | Delmar Cengage Learning, and donations from Herman and Bobbie Wilson. Growth Energy as stated in their mission statement "represents the producers and supporters of ethanol, who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being, and create a healthier environment for all Americans now." National Geographic Learning is a part of Cengage Learning and they, "believe that an engaged and motivated learner will be a successful one, and they design our materials with a highly interactive storytelling approach which is a great way to invoke these connections."

The NAAE is a professional organization in mission to provide advancements to agricultural education, grow agricultural educators, recruit and prepare future agricultural educators that have a passion to teach. They provide their 7,800 members with resources that can be used inside the classroom as well as professional development through conferences and conventions. The mission of the NAAE is, "Professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service."

Luke Kerstetter

Communications Team Member

Twitter Handle: @Luke_Kerstetter

2020 Agriculture Education Student Teacher