PAAE Meeting sparks excitement in 2015 Student Teachers! #teachag

Megan Keller 2015 Student teacher

Future teachers, and current Agriculture Education educators, all came together on Tuesday, July 8^th, for the PAAE meeting held in Western PA to learn new ways to incorporate different ideas in the classroom! They learned a variety of topics which a lot of the student teachers are going to implement in their student teaching experiences coming up in the spring! 

The PAAE & PYFA meeting was a chance for agriculture education teachers to get together and discuss about educational opportunities and different labs that teachers can incorporate in their own classrooms. Toby Neal (@tjn5065), a 2015 student teacher at Twin Valley High School, loved the conference! He stated, “One of the main things I learned at the PAAE conference is the supporting network of agriculture educators that are willing to help each other succeed and share information. It was great to be among current agriculture teachers and hear about some of their experiences before entering into my student teaching experience.” Toby was able to attend the Wildlife CDE Workshop and the Ag Ed Net information session! 

Toby Neal and Hannah Harris on the way to the meeting!

Another student Hannah Harris (@han_lou), a 2015 student teacher at Juniata High School, also shared her feelings about the conference!  She stated, “For my first seminar at the conference I was in Tractor Driving Safety. During this time our instructor went through the state CDE tractor driving event. He provided us with materials about the contest and then we set up the course and tried it out! I really hope I have some students interested in this event because I feel prepared to teach them all about it!” Toby and Hannah cannot wait to start their student teaching experience and bring what they learned and turn it into action!  

The PAAE & PYFA meeting happens every year and each student cohort has the opportunity to attend the meeting in the summer time! 2016 just wait, it will be your turn before you know it! 

To find more information about when the next meeting check out this link!  


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

2014 Teach Ag! Society Outstanding Member of the Year: Toby Neal

Toby Neal, 2015 Student Teacher
2014 Teach Ag! Oustanding Member of the Year

One purpose of the Penn State Teach Ag! Society is to promote the high standards and ideals in agriculture and extension education. There is no better way to do that than by the hard work and dedication of the members. This year the organization presented its first “Outstanding Member of the Year” award at the annual banquet.

The award recognizes a student who goes above and beyond to promote the organization and works hard to spread the word about agriculture education. The first Outstanding Member of the Year award was given to 2015 Student Teacher, Mr. Toby Neal!

Toby (@tjn5065) has been a member of the Teach Ag! Society since transferring to main campus in the fall of 2013. He has been active in numerous organization activities such as Ag Day, the Christmas party, the Praxis round table and the fall bonfire. He is also setting up a volunteer environmental education opportunity for members in the coming fall at the Elk Country Visitor center where he works.

Toby & Laura at the Teach Ag! booth at Ag Day 2014!

When asked about winning the award Toby said, “It was shocking! I know that so many members put a lot of effort into Teach Ag! And I feel like it’s such a team effort. I don’t feel like I do more than the rest of the members! We have such a great group of students and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the organization!”

President of the Teach Ag! Society, Jill Gordon (@jillianpsu) was part of the selection committee for the award. She stated “As an organization, we wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for members who are willing to step up to the plate and do great things. Toby is an excellent example of that, so it was pretty clear that he was more than deserving of the award!”

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
2015 Student Teacher
@Its_LauraBeth

Alpha Tau Alpha Welcomes New Members

2013 Initiation of New Members into ATA

Twelve students were initiated into the Eta Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha on Tuesday, November 19th. Alpha Tau Alpha is a national, professional, honorary, agricultural society. It is founded upon the development of true professional spirit and grown in agriculture.

The 2013 Alpha Tau Alpha initiates.
(Back Row) Kate Bassett, Morgan Campbell, Amanda Forstater,
Katherine Andrews, Janae Van Buskirk & Toby Neal.
(Front Row) Jillian Gordon, Jena Shaffer, Laura Metrick,
Bryanna Kenno and Deanna Miller.

The initiation ceremony took place in the Ferguson building at Universtiy Park. It was led by current members of ATA and Advisor Daniel Foster.  New initiate and 2015 Student Teacher, Janae VanBuskirk stated “I am excited to begin this new experience. I have ever been involved in an organization like this. It is nice to be recognized as students who work hard for their grades. I think all of the initiates are excited to grow out professionally and to ultimately make new friends with the same goals!”

The society was founded in 1921 and the Eta Chapter was organized at Penn State in 1931. The organization strives to promote the high standards and ideals in agricultural and extension education and to promote the bond between individuals in and those that have interest in the world of agriculture and extension education.

 2014 Student Teachers helping with the ATA initiation ceremony.

Another 2015 Student Teacher and ATA Initiate Morgan Campbell said “Becoming an ATA member is an exciting and rewarding accomplishment. I am proud to be a member of an organization that represents the professionalism and camaraderie of agriculture educators!”

The twelve students who have just joined the Eta Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha will enjoy the fellowship of individuals in an atmosphere of high scholarship that is dedicated to teaching, and who have a sincere desire to be a leader in agricultural education. The Students are; Katherine Andrews, Kate Bassett, Morgan Campbell, Amanda Forstater, Jillian Gordon, Megan Keller, Bryanna Keno, Laura Metrick, Deanna Miller, Toby Neal, Jena Shaffer and Janae VanBuskirk  


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
2015 Student Teacher
Twitter: @Its_LauraBeth