McCollum, AEE Senior and 2013 Student Teacher, excited to make impact at Central Columbia

Although she grew up on a farm, Mackenzie McCollum only enrolled in one agriculture class throughout her entire high school career. That class, during her senior year, made her think twice about her future career path when making decisions about what to study in college. Mackenzie began her career at Penn State by studying Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences; however, she soon changed her mind, and switched her major to Agricultural and Extension Education. “Although I didn’t take the traditional path as most AEE students do, including being and active high school FFA member, I feel this has given me a unique perspective on agricultural education and the importance of FFA, the intra-curricular student organization affiliated with agricultural education program. I changed my major because I love to teach, and the diversity found in agricultural education creates endless opportunities.”  

Mackenzie’s minor is in International Agriculture. Mackenzie will graduate from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences in May with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, a Pennsylvania teaching certification, and a set of experiences and resources that will enable her to feel confident in taking on the real world.  Before graduating in May, Mackenzie Mccollum, will venture off to complete her last major task as a Penn State undergraduate. She will engage in her student teaching internship for 13 weeks this coming spring semester. She will be guiding students in grades 9-12 in the agricultural department at Central Columbia High School in Columbia County, PA. Central Columbia has a three teacher agriculture program with two teachers at the high school level and one at the middle school level.

To prepare for student teaching, Mackenzie is engaged in the classroom, learning about various teaching strategies, classroom management, and the different modalities of learning. She is also gearing up for student teaching by delivering lesson plans each week  in her contextual learning laboratory and is vigorously writing lesson plans, all while keeping in constant contact with her cooperating teacher, Mr. Doug Brown.

Mackenzie says “The program I will be student teaching in focuses heavily on agri-science and agricultural mechanics. In the classroom, they place a lot of emphasis on agronomy, forestry, wildlife, and animal sciences.” While at Central Columbia, Mackenzie will be teaching over eight units of instruction, including but not limited to: Plumbing, Introduction to Electricity, Food Science, FFA Leadership, and Woodworking. She claims, “I am most excited about interacting with the students on a daily basis, just being able to teach in a real classroom setting, and being involved with FFA as an advisor. Without a strong background in agricultural mechanics, I feel a little anxious about teaching so many courses related to that topic, but feel that Penn State has done a really great job to prepare me for my student teaching.” Mackenzie is also excited about traveling to National FFA Convention this October with the Central Columbia FFA Chapter. She will be provided with a great amount of experiences to best assimilate what it’s really like to be in the profession of teaching agricultural education.

Along with Mackenzie, there are 13 agricultural and extension education students that will be student teaching this coming spring at high schools across the state of Pennsylvania. Their mission is to improve agricultural literacy and teach about the many facets of agriculture and the important role the industry plays in our everyday life. They will be a mentor and advisor to many students, teaching many life skills, while learning many valuable lessons as students themselves. Throughout their student teaching experiences and beyond graduation, these students will be supported with many professional development opportunities offered by the Center for Professional Personnel Development.

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes positive impact on the lives of students across the globe tby becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg, or on our blog at http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com

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!

Moving On.....Catching up with 2012 Graduate Mackenzie Crooks

As our 2012 Student Teachers graduated from Penn State on May 5th, many of them had no idea what the future would bring. Now, as summer reaches its climax, many of them now have some idea of where their lives are heading. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will showcase some of our graduates and update you on where they are heading. In this weeks edition, we follow up with Mackenzie Crooks!

Ms. Crooks (top left) with her FFA Officers and other teachers of the Lebanon HS Agriculture Department. 

Mackenzie, a native of Irwin, PA, was a great addition to the class of 2012. She completed her student teaching experience under the guidance of Mr. Kyle Norman at Brockway High School. We asked Mackenzie some questions about her experiences at Penn State and what she is looking forward to in the future.

a)     Why did you choose this school to teach at?

I chose this school [ Lebanon High School] because it had everything I was looking for in a program.  The ag department is fairly new and one of the largest ones in the state of Indiana.  I set out looking for a multi-teacher program so I would have guidance from more experienced educators during my first (and most challenging) year of teaching.  I also liked that it was a newer program.  The department head is amazing and takes all of my ideas into consideration and has even used a few of them.  

b)     What are you most excited about for the upcoming year?

I am excited to have my own classroom and students!  This year will be challenging since the school is under construction and I have to switch rooms half way through the school year.  But I am probably most excited for the new greenhouse that is being built.  I will be the person in charge of over seeing it, and the administration has set the expectation bar high.  I have a lot of great ideas to try with the greenhouse and cannot wait to get in there.

c)      What advice do you have to the student teachers of next year about the Job Search?

The job search can be a very tedious thing, but stick with it.  Keep an open mind to moving somewhere new, and don't limit yourself to one area.  There are a TON of possibilities out there for you; you just have to find them!

d)     Did you feel prepared for the Job Search Process?
I felt very prepared for the job search process.  The last week that we spent at Penn State really helped me to gain the confidence that I needed to succeed in finding the right job.  The mock interviews were extremely helpful.

Moving On....Following up with 2012 Graduate Kristie Folk

As our 2012 Student Teachers graduated from Penn State on May 5th, many of them had no idea what the future would bring. Now, as summer reaches its climax, many of them now have some idea of where their lives are heading. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will showcase some of our graduates and update you on where they are heading. Next up....Kristie Folk

Kristie, a former State FFA officer, is a bright spot for the class of 2012. Her enthusiasm for Agricultural Education was infectious among her peers.  In the fall, she will be the full-time Ag Teacher at United High School in Armaugh, PA in Indiana County. (Of note, Kristie did her student teaching at United as well under the guidance of Ms. Cristen Black.) We asked Kristie some questions about her experiences at Penn State and what she is looking forward to in the future. 

1) Why did you choose United High School to teach at?
I chose to teach at United High School in Armagh, PA where I did my student teaching. It just so happened my cooperating teacher, mentor and friend, Mrs. Cristen Black, got a job in Kansas and I applied for the position at United. After two rounds of interviews with other amazing candidates, I was selected to teach at United. I love the school district, its location, the faculty/staff, and most of all the students. It is a very rural area with students who are excited about agriculture. The faculty / staff are friendly and willing to help whenever they can. Overall, I chose to teach at United because it is a small, rural school district with great students and faculty. 

2) What are you most excited about for the upcoming year?
I am most excited about having my own program and trying to increase FFA membership. I am excited about learning new things (about my new program) and trying new things. I am sure there is going to be some trials and stress of taking over a program and learning how things are done; however, I will have two aids, who are excited to help me grow as an educator.  

3)What advice do you have to the student teachers of next year about the Job Search?
DO NOT BE AFRAID! Nerves are normal….but even if you don’t land the first job you apply for; know it was a learning process. Not all jobs will open up right in front of your eyes like the one at United did for me. In fact, it is not likely. I still applied for the job knowing it was a possibility that I would not land the job, even though I did my student teaching there. I looked at it as being in the right place at the right time and that it just worked out for me.  The world of job hunting is scary but if you are willing to travel/move/see the world, the possibilities are endless. Also, put a serious effort into your portfolio and the mock interviews that you will do during the last 2 weeks after student teaching. They will  help you! Last, but not, least, contact some of us who have gone through interviews. We can tell you what we know/remember and offer our thoughts to help you out. 

4) Did you feel prepared for the Job Search Process?
 At first, I was nervous about the “job hunt,” but I did feel prepared.  I reviewed my portfolio and thought about possible questions the interviewers could ask me. After the first interview, I remember feeling a sense of accomplishment. I felt prepared to enter the next round of interviews if I made it that far.  The overall “job hunt” was not nearly as scary as I had made it out in my head. Overall, I felt prepared for the job search process and knowing that if I needed anything, I could contact Dr. Foster, Dr. Ewing, Renee, Trish or anyone in the department. 

Moving On...Following up with 2012 Graduate Doug Masser

As our 2012 Student Teachers graduated from Penn State on May XX, many of them had no idea what the future would bring. Now, as summer reaches its climax, many of them now have some idea of where their lives are heading. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will showcase some of our graduates and update you on where they are heading. First up....Doug Masser.

Doug was a Schreyer's Honors student in the AEE major. He student taught at Upper Dauphin High School this past spring. In the Fall, Doug will be starting graduate studies at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. We asked Doung a few questions about his experiences here at Penn State and share his expectations for what lies ahead. 

1) Why did you choose to the University of Idaho?

I chose the University of Idaho because it provided me with a chance to gain new experiences and perspectives in agriculture education by working with schools in a new state.  I will also be able to gain college teaching experiences as well as work with some great faculty that I know will help me prepare to be the best teacher I can be when I leave grad school and begin my career as an ag teacher.  

2) What are you most excited about in the upcoming year?

I am very excited to work with the undergraduates at the University of Idaho and help them coordinate state CDE events.  I am also looking forward to taking a few classes in ag mechanics such as basic shop practices and small gas engines!

3) What advice do you have for the student teachers next year?

The best advice I can give to future student teachers is never close any doors behind you and always remain open minded and ready for new and exciting opportunities!  I never dreamed I would be attending grad school right after Penn State.  However, I continued to remain open to my future and sure enough, an amazing opportunity opened up for me and in the fall I will be heading across the country!

4) Did you feel prepared for the Job Search Process (even though you are heading to Graduate School)?

I felt extremely prepared for the job search.  Even though my interviews and experiences pertained to graduate school, I was still able to utilize my portfolio, resume, and lesson plans in my interview process.  

Congratulations to two of our own!

The Penn State Ag Ed program would like to congratulate two of our own who have been selected to win awards recently.

Dr. Tracy Hoover (currently Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at Penn State) will be awarded with the 2012 Region VI NAAE Outstanding Service Award at the 2012 NAAE conference held Atlanta, GA this fall. The award recognizes individuals whom have made great contributions to Agricultural Education at the state, regional and national levels.

Also at the 2012 NAAE meeting, Ron Frederick, Field Staff in the Center for Professional Development, was selected to win the 2012 NAAE Region VI Lifetime Achievement Award for his service in Agricultural Education over the years.

Congratulations to you both!!

And They're Off!!

The bags are packed! For the next 10 days or so, Ag Education students from both Penn State and The University of Florida are embarking on the Agricultural Education experience of a Lifetime! They are traveling to Seoul, South Korea to learn how Agricultural Education occurs outside of the United States. They even have their own blog to talk about the experience: http://teachagkorea.blogspot.kr/

Of course, they just made it to Seoul at about 6AM this morning (after leaving State College at 6AM yesterday) and promptly went to dinner at their hotel. Rumor has it that many of them even ate with chopsticks for the first time and no one starved (Food was a major concern for many of the students).

Also the students have had an interesting time figuring out the amenities of Korean life - such as the high-tech toilet in their hotel rooms.  Apparently it took 2 students and 10 minutes to figure out how to flush it. Ahh the joys of international travel!