January 2023 AEE Student Of The Month: Morgan Bear

  Agricultural and Extension Education January Student of the Month: Morgan Bear

   

    The Center for Professional Personnel Development recognizes students that have outstanding achievements both academically and with extra-curricular activities and involvement. We are excited to announce that Morgan Bear is the January 2023 Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month! Morgan's hometown is Newville PA and she attended high school at Big Spring High School. 

    Morgan will graduate in the Fall of 2023 with a bachelor's in Agricultural and Extension Education with two minors in Sustainability Leadership and Leadership Development. Her future plans are to secure a teaching job as an Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor. When we asked her why she chose Penn State she responded: "As a high school student, Penn State was super intimidating. As a first-generation college student, I always considered Penn State but never really thought that I would actually get accepted. I was super happy when I got my acceptance letter, and I knew from there on out that Penn State was the only college that I wanted to attend. It is not only known for its strong agricultural education program, but also for the opportunities to become involved in a variety of clubs, and leadership activities."

    Morgan's favorite class here at Penn State was Animal Science 426: Advanced Livestock Judging & Selection. She is involved in many Penn State clubs and jobs: Penn State Livestock Judging Team, Block and Bridle, College of Agricultural Sciences Ag Advocate, Teach Ag Avengers, Ag Student Council, PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters, and CPPD Student Worker. She also had multiple internships including, Pennsylvania FFA Association State Secretary 2018-2019, Cumberland County 4-H Extension Agency: Summer Assistant, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau: Friends of Agriculture Foundation: Summer Intern, Horizon Farm Credit: Knowledge Center Intern.

    Her favorite Sports Team is the Penn State Nittany Lions Football and Gymnastics! Her favorite Hang-out on Campus is ASI 3rd floor or Ferguson 213. Her favorite place to eat in State College is "The Field Burger and Tap".

    When it comes to her FFA and 4-H background, Morgan was in Cumberland County 4-H: Livestock and Farm Stock Clubs, and Big Spring FFA: Chapter Sentinel, Vice-President, President, and was Pennsylvania State FFA Secretary 2018-2019.

    "My interest in agriculture stems from being involved in the industry from as young as I can remember. I began showing livestock which led to finding a love for the industry. My passion quickly grew through opportunities to try new things and grow as a leader through both 4-H and FFA as a youth. Now, my passion has never been deeper as I have dedicated my life and career pursuits to work towards my dream career of becoming an Agricultural Educator and continuing to impact youth and give back to the industry that has provided me with so much". 

    Starting this semester, Morgan is student teaching at Northern York High School (Pinchot FFA) in Dillsburg PA. "I am most excited to finally put my skill set to use and mold learners as I step into a teaching role and grow as a professional!".

    Morgan will be teaching serval lessons during her student teaching experience. The classes are Small Gas Engines, Intro to Ag. Mechanics, Landscaping, Vet Science, and Greenhouse Management. 

    

Morgan's favorite quote is:

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness”
– Thomas Jefferson

Follow her journey on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter: @morganbear_ 

Instagram: @morganbear_

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023

Anna Sweeten December 2022 AEE Student of the Month

Agricultural and Extension Education December Student of the Month
Anna Sweeten

    The Center for Professional Personnel Development recognizes students that have outstanding achievements both academically and with extra-curricular activities and involvement. We are excited to announce that Anna Sweeten is the December 2022 Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month! Anna's hometown is Gettysburg PA and she attended high school at Gettysburg Area High School.
 
    Anna attended Penn States Mont Alto branch for two years and then transferred to University park in the "Two Plus Two" program. Her Graduation year is 2023 and her degree will be in Agricultural and Extension Education. Her future plans are to become a high school ag teacher. When we asked her why she chose Penn State she responded: "It was recommended to me because of its awesome Ag program!"

    During her time at Penn State, her favorite PSU Class was AEE 350. The class AEE 350 is "Teaching Methods for Agricultural and Environmental Laboratories". She is involved in a club here at Penn State. She is a part of the PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters chapter. Her favorite Sports Team is the Penn State Nittany Lions. Her Favorite Hang-out on Campus is Ferguson, and her favorite place to eat in State College is "DP Dough". Some of Anna's hobbies include cooking and hanging out with friends.

    Anna was involved in her 4-H program for 7 years showing horses and then joined the Battlefield FFA chapter for 3 years in high school. When asked about her Agriculture Interest/Passion she responded that it was in "Equine science and Horticulture". 

    One interesting thing about Anna is that she won a contest in elementary school and got a statue made of her. Her favorite quote is “You can change the world by changing your words”.

    Anna will be student teaching at Kennard-Dale High School with Ms. Hannah Harris. When we asked Anna what she was most excited about during student teaching she responded she is excited about "Learning new things and teaching students about all the opportunities that agriculture can present". She will be teaching: Animal Care and Management, Plant and Soil Studies, FFA Leadership, Small Gas Engines, and Vet Science. 

 

 Follow her journey on Twitter

Twitter: anna_swee10  

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023

Advancing Climate Change Education Resources for Agriculture Educators

Global Teach Ag Network Undergraduate Intern Swarali Parikh earns Penn State Student Engagement Network Grant 

Ms. Swarali Parikh has received a Penn State Student Engagement Network Grant to continue her work as a Global Teach Ag Network (GTAN) Undergraduate Intern. GTAN is a network of industry partners that provide professional development for secondary-level agricultural educators. GTAN was founded by two Penn State faculty members: Dr. Daniel Foster, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, and Dr. Melanie Miller-Foster, Associate Teaching Professor of International Agriculture. GTAN is staffed by undergraduate interns and graduate associates who help to facilitate events in the Global Learning in Agriculture Community.  

 

As Ms. Swarali Parikh continues her engagement with GTAN, she is advancing climate change education initiatives by developing academic modules that teach middle and high school students about global issues related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, she will coordinate virtual professional development events with industry and NGO partners.  

As an in-person component of this self-directed student engagement experience, Ms. Parikh attended the 2022 Borlaug Dialogues, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation annually in Des Moines, IA. During this experience, she engaged with cutting-edge resources and leaders who are passionate about advancing and improving the current state of global agriculture and climate education.  

Ms. Parikh discussing the connection between agriculture and folk dance from Bhangra with Dr. Rattan Lal, the 2020 recipient of the World Food Prize 

 

For additional information, contact Elizabeth Holtry, GTAN Undergraduate Intern (elh5427@psu.edu). 

  

“The Global Teach Ag Network empowers educators to address global food systems transformation, while connecting global experts, practitioners, organizations, and businesses to educators around the world.” 

Highlighting Penn State Ag Ed Students that Participated in Cohort 1 of GOALs

What is GOALs?

The GOALs program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for PSU and Idaho students to cultivate their proficiency in food security education with REAL experiences! The Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning program (GOALs) is a USDA NIFA Funded project of the Global Teach Ag Network (GTAN) involving the University of Idaho, Penn State, and the World Food Prize Foundation. To learn more, please visit our GOALs page: https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/goals-program/ Earlier this fall you had a chance to meet the current GOALs participants. Now let’s take you back to where it all started…with our first cohort!

Mckenzie Mahler 

Mckenzie brought insight to our group meetings through her knowledge and previous experience with Ganister Station Adult Day Services. She is currently a junior studying Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State #psuaged24, and enjoyed her time spent at the World Food Prize in 2021. As part of her assignment as a GOALs student, she was able to teach sessions about Global Agriculture in Montana with her immersion partner Krista. Advice that Mckenzie has for future GOALs participants is that they should take advantage of all the opportunities that they might have to make connections during this experience. Mckenzie shared that throughout her time in the GOALs program, she was able to connect with experienced educators as well as faculty from other universities and disciplines. She hopes that future participants value these rare opportunities to take part in amazing networking.

Grace Shawver 

Grace is our next member of GOALs Cohort 1 as we look back to #FoodPrize21. She is currently a senior at Penn State majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education, preparing to start her student teaching experience in January. For her immersion, she traveled to North Carolina to teach about Global Agriculture. Grace was able to apply what she learned as a GOALs participant in 2021 as a Senior Intern for the World Food Prize Foundation Global Guides at #FoodPrize22. 

Lauren Hoffman

Welcome Ms. Lauren Hoffman, another member of the first Cohort of GOALs. She is a part of the #psuaged25 cohort, joining the major of Agricultural and Extension Education as a Sophomore this year. Lauren took the methods and information she learned at the World Food Prize and took a leap, the whole way to Idaho for her immersion! Lauren shared that this was such an impactful experience, especially as a freshman.

Ambar Robalino

As a member of the #psuaged23 cohort, you can find Ambar preparing for her upcoming student teaching internship in spring of 2023.  Participating in the first cohort of the GOALS program provided Ambar with valuable skills and experience that she will use at her student teaching placement in Brockway, PA.  Ambar completed her immersion trip in Tennessee with her partner Nicolette. Ambar shared that her experience with GOALs taught her about the need for classroom management and how high schoolers can be very unpredictable. Ambar will use these skills at Brockway in the spring to make the most of her 15-week internship.

Celia Graef 

Celia is a member of the #psuaged24 cohort, majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education. Celia brings a unique perspective to the table, as she has chosen to pursue the environmental option of the major. Celia took what she learned at the 2021 World Food Prize and used it to instruct her students at her North Carolina immersion in the spring of 2021 with Grace. Two takeaways that Celia has shared are the ability to adapt her lesson, be it from a premade lesson plan, or adapting during the school day after teaching it the first time.

Nicolette Cusate 

Next let’s meet Nicolette, better known as “Nickie,” to the rest of her fellow members of the #psuaged23 cohort, as our next member of GOALs Cohort 1. Nickie traveled with Ambar to Tennessee for her immersion, to the Smoky Mountains! The immersion helped in preparing her for her student teaching experience coming in the Spring of 2023.

Krista Mathias 

Finally, Krista is our last PSU GOALs participant from Cohort 1. She is a senior majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education and is a part of the #psuaged23 cohort. Krista was able to take a lot away from the programing of GOALs at the World Food Prize and applied it to her classroom immersion in Montana with her partner Mckenzie. Krista is excited to share her amazing travel experiences with her students at Pequea Valley. 

Are you interested in being a member of Cohort 3? Applications and more details will be coming soon! Be proactive and check our website for a link to apply! https://globalteachagnetwork.psu.edu/goals-program/

AEE November Student of the Month: Krista Mathias

 Agricultural and Extension Education November Student of the Month

Krista Mathias

    The Center for Professional Personnel Development recognizes students that have outstanding achievements both academically and with extra-curricular activities and involvement. We are excited to announce that Krista Mathias is the November 2022 Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month! Krista's Hometown is Mercer PA and she attended high school at Mercer Area Jr/Sr High School.
 
    Krista went to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and studied Biology Education there for 2 years. She then transferred to PSU in 2021 to major in Agricultural and Extension Education and "has been abundantly blessed with this decision. Though I'm a little behind from transferring halfway through my degree, this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made".
 

    Krista will graduate in the Fall of 2023 with a bachelor's in Agricultural and Extension Education. Her future plans are to become a high school ag teacher. When we asked her why she chose Penn State she responded: "Penn State offered me the best chance to achieve my dream of becoming an ag teacher. In November 2020, one of the most influential mentors I know told me that she was surprised that I wasn't studying agricultural education at Penn State... so of course, I transferred! I like to say that I am where I'm at today because of cows and a woman named Darla."

 
    During her time at Penn State, her favorite PSU Class was AEE 349. The class AEE 349 is "Shop Processes for Agricultural Educators". She is involved in many Penn State clubs and jobs: Dairy Barns Student Resident Employee, Teach Ag! Avenger, showing member on the Penn State Western Equestrian Team, Dairy Science Club, PSU FFA Alumni, and Supporters. Her favorite Sports Team is the Penn State Nittany Lions. Her Favorite Hang-out on Campus is ASI 2^nd floor or Ferguson 214. Her favorite place to eat in State College is "The Plaza".

Krista and classmates during AEE 350 class

    She had an internship at Mercer County Extension Office and 4-H Program, in 2022. Her hobbies include "Showing horses with the PSU western team, taking my horse Chex to little jackpot barrel races, juggling, attempting to ride my unicycle, and cracking jokes".

    Krista's 4-H/FFA Background is: "None! I did not go to a high school that had FFA and was not involved in 4-H. I did compete in youth rodeos in high school, but I never did in 4-H."
 
    "I love the dairy industry. This was the industry that sparked my love for agriculture and is one of the reasons I am at Penn State today. The dairy industry was a huge part of my childhood growing up. When I turned 16 and got my first truck, I started milking cows at the largest dairy in my county. We milk 500 Jersey cows, and the Jerseys quickly became my favorite cattle breed."
 
    Krista's favorite quote is "Find out who you are. And do it on purpose" - Dolly Parton. "One interesting thing about me is that I bring my juggling balls with me everywhere I travel. I have juggled in 26 different states!"
 

Krista with Pequea Valley students at Nationals

    Krista will be student teaching at Pequea Valley High School with Mrs. VanSant. When asked what she is most excited about during student teaching, she responded "Creating connections with students and encouraging them to be the best that they can be. I want them to know that they have endless possibilities and that they matter. I also want to encourage them to never stop learning and share my passion for agriculture."
 
    During her student teaching, she will teach Veterinary Science, Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics, Small Animal Science, Biological Studies in Agricultural Sciences, and Middle School Environment and Natural Resources.
 

Follow her journey on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter: krista_mathias   

Instagram: kristamathias

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023