Ambar Robalino is AEE April Student of the Month

AEE April Student of the Month: 

Ambar Robalino

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Ambar Robalino as the April AEE Student of the Month. Ambar demonstrates excellent academic and extracurricular involvement and dedication. Ambar is from Jamaica, Queens, New York and graduated from John Bowe High School where she was involved in the John Bowe FFA chapter for four years. In her high school FFA chapter, she held the officer positions of Student Advisor and Sentinel. She also held the position of District 1 President. 

Ambar is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Agricultural and Extension Education and began her college career at the Beaver Campus. " I was in high school during college visits, and none of the New York colleges wowed me the way Penn State did. Not only did they care about academics but also the well-being of their students." She enjoys the support system of the Penn State community and the feeling of having a home away from home. Also, she loves the school spirit that everyone has at Penn State. "I feel proud driving with my bumper sticker and seeing other Nittany Lions on the road no matter where I am."

Ambar's favorite class was AEE 311 with Dr. Curry. She enjoys hanging out on the lawns on campus and feeding the squirrels when she can. Her favorite place to eat in State College is Tadashi Ramen noodle restaurant. Ambar's hobbies include drawing, listening to music, video editing, fish keeping, herping, birdwatching, hiking, and traveling. Her favorite sports team is the Ecuador National Football team. 

She has completed and internship with the Global Orientation to Agriculture program and had the opportunity to travel to Des Moines, Iowa for the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogues. She also got to experience a teaching immersion to Tennessee and got to visit the Smokey Mountains.

Her agricultural interest has come from the cognitive abilities of animals, specifically regarding language and communication. She also has an interest in Aquaculture, Herpetology, exotic animals, Entomology, and Wildlife.

Currently, Ambar is completing her student teaching experience at Brockway Jr/Sr Area High School. She is teaching Intro to Welding, Horticulture, Animal Science, Small Gas Engines, Wildlife, and Intro to Agriculture. She is excited for her Wildlife students to get the hands on experience with reptiles. The students will get this experience from the help of a local educational reptile outreach business. Her goal is to get her students more comfortable with handling reptiles. Her future plans are to travel the United States before looking into a career.

Ambar's favorite quote is:

"If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine. “ -Che Guevara 

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

Nicolette Cusate's 2023 NAAE IDEAP FAST Experience

Nicolette Cusate's 2023 NAAE IDEAP FAST Experience

Nicolette Cusate, Agricultural and Extension Education senior currently student teaching at Northwestern Senior High School, was granted the opportunity to attend the 2023 NAEE FAST - Creating an Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, and Accessible Progam. Nicolette, along with 19 other pre-service agricultural educators were chosen to travel to Lexington, Kentucky for this experience from March 1st to the 3rd. 

During her time in Kentucky, she had the opportunity to tour the Kentucky School for the Deaf and meet some of the students as well as the advisor. Nicollete says, "It was so inspiring to see the students that go there and hear their stories and how FFA and ag ed has impacted their lives." While at the school the students taught Nicolette and the others how to sign the alphabet. They communicated with students through interpreters. "I wish everyone in our cohort could go there and see their program, it is truly one of a kind and super impactful to experience in person."

She was also able to tour Carter G. Woodson Academy which has an FFA program of 96% African American male scholars who are admitted by a lottery system. This FFA chapter is also integrated with a Jr. MANRRS chapter through the University of Kentucky. Unfortunately due to a tornado warning Nicolette was not able to visit the school but did have a chance to meet their advisor in person and scholars on zoom. "We asked them questions about what it is like to be a minority in FFA and about their motivations to join and stay in the organization. They stayed
positive and were so kind to us, even though the day did not end up going as planned."

These are some highlights from Nicolette's trip so be sure to look at her blog for some more details about her experience.

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

Jacob Turko is AEE March Student Of The Month

 AEE March Student Of The Month: 
Jacob Turko

    For the month of March, the Center For Professional Personal Development would like to acknowledge Jacob Turko as a student who demonstrates excellent educational and extracurricular involvement and excellence. Jacob graduated high school from Kempton, PA, Kutztown Senior High School. He will be graduating from Pennsylvania State University in May 2023 with a Bachelor's in Agriculture and Extension Education and Minors in Sustainability Leadership and International Agriculture. His future plans are to attend the University of Kentucky for a Master's in Community and Leadership Development and his research will focus on the recruitment and retention of minorities in agriculture. 

    Jacob chose to attend Penn State for his undergrad because he thought it was the best fit for him to grow in agriculture education while gaining the most current agricultural-based knowledge. His favorite class here at Penn State was ASM 327 which is Agricultural System Management: Soil and Water Resource Management. The clubs that he was involved in were: MANRRS, and PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. The jobs he had here were with the Poultry Education and Research Center and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. For internships, Jacob did Tick Research at the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, and another internship at Wildlife Conservation in Belize. 

    

    When we asked what Jacobs most valued experience was he responded: "I am proud to be a role model for other minority students in agriculture within my school and to encourage and uplift them into the career field the best I can".

    Jacobs' favorite sports team is the Philadelphia Eagles. He enjoys hanging out on the third floor of the library here at Penn State. His favorite place to eat at State College is Yallah Taco. Jacob's hobbies include painting, gaming, and reading. 

    When it comes to FFA background, Jacob comes from Kutztown FFA. His agricultural interest/passion is education, horticulture, and natural resource management. When asked one interesting thing about himself he responded "I am going to be the first person in my family to graduate from college!"

    Jacob is currently student teaching at WB Saul Agricultural High School. The two classes that he is leading instruction in are Natural Resource Management and Veterinary Technology II. 

Jacob's favorite quote is:

"Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied." 

- George Washington Carver

Make sure to follow Jacob on Twitter: 
@TurkoJacob

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023

February 2023 AEE Student of the Month: Nicolette Cusate

Nicolette Cusate is February's Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month!

    The Center for Professional Personnel Development recognizes students with outstanding academic and extra-curricular activities and involvement. We are excited to announce that Nicolette Cusate is February's 2023 Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month! 

    Nicolette's hometown is Bloomsburg, PA and she attended Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School. Before she came to University Park, Nicolette studied at Penn State Behrend. She states "I had the best time there. I was involved in many clubs and was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau, a social sorority. I got to tell a bunch of people that didn’t know what agriculture education was about how awesome our major is! I also met a lot of my best friends there that I am still close with today. My time at a commonwealth campus was invaluable to me, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world." Nicolette will graduate in the Spring of 2023 with a Bachelor's in Agricultural and Extension Education. When asked about her future plans she responds that she wants to "make a positive impact on students in whatever capacity I’m called to". 

    

Nicolette chose Penn State because "they have the best Ag Ed program!" Her favorite classes during her time at Penn State were AEE 311 (Developing Youth Leadership through Organization and Program), AEE 412 (Methods of Teaching Agriculture and Environmental Science), and AEE 350 (Teaching Methods for Agricultural and Environmental Laboratories). She was also involved in multiple clubs including PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters, Alpha Tau Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, and Pennsylvania State Education Association Student Member. She also held a job position at the Center for Professional Personnel Development as a Student Worker. Nicolette also had an internship at Keystone Smiles AmeriCorps. Her favorite hang-out space on campus was Ferguson 213. Her hobbies include "spending time with my boyfriend Kade, putting together puzzles, hiking, and exploring new places". 

2023 Cohort Final Presentations Showcase

Senior Presentations Showcase

2023 Cohort 

    The members of the 2023 Cohort have completed their final presentations and officially started their student teaching experience. In their final presentations, they demonstrated what they have learned during their educational journey that prepared them for becoming future educators. 

For each presentation, they are expected to answer the following three questions: 

• What do I aspire to be as a teacher? 
• What experiential education opportunities have I engaged in to become a better Agricultural Educator? 
• How am I prepared to maximize my student teaching internship opportunity?

    We are so proud of each of our seniors and hope you enjoy watching them present all they have accomplished during their college careers and all they hope to accomplish in their future careers. The entire playlist is linked below, or scroll down to view each individual and their video. 

Use this link to access the entire playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vlAoiMaNwQ&list=PLysuEbjHRsoExMjtlfRQDwMxH6cDlJdey 

Anna Sweeten

Anna Sweeten is currently doing her student teaching at Kennard-Dale High School in Fawn Grove, PA, with Ms. Hannah Harris. 

Baylor Shunk

Baylor Shunk is currently student teaching at Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg PA, with Mr. Douglas Brown. 

Carly Rudy

Carly Rudy is currently student teaching at Tyrone Area High School in Tyrone, PA, with Mrs. Tiffany Hoy.

Grace Shawver

Grace Shawver is now student teaching at Selinsgrove Area High School in Selinsgrove, PA, with Ms. Valerie Fry.

Jacob Turko

Jacob Turko is currently student teaching at Walter B. Saul High School in Philadelphia, PA, with Ms. Tiffany Turrentine.

Killiann George

Killiann George is currently student teaching at Dover Area High School in Dover, PA, with Mrs. Alex Barzdylo.

Krista Mathias

 Krista Mathias is currently student teaching at Pequea Valley High School in Kinzers, PA, with Mrs. Jasmine VanSant.

Lauren Kachel

Lauren Kachel is currently student teaching at Penn Manor High School in Millersville, PA, with Mr. Neil Fellenbaum. 

Elizabeth Holtry

Elizabeth Holtry is currently student teaching at Shippensburg Area Senior High School in Shippensburg, PA, with Ms. Kelly Bier.

Morgan Bear

Morgan Bear is currently student teaching at Northern York High School in York County, PA, with Ms. Meagan Smyers.

Nicolette Cusate

Nicolette Cusate is currently student teaching at Northwestern Senior High School in Albion, PA, with Mr. Anthony Honeycutt.

Amber Lema Ramos Robalino

Amber Robalino is currently student teaching at Brockway Junior-Senior High School in Brockway, PA, with Mr. Kyle Norman.

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023

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