Teacher Feature
Welcome to Teacher Feature: Celebrating Wisconsin's Community of Agricultural Literacy Educators
Welcome to Teacher Feature, your go-to blog for all things related to Wisconsin's Agriculture in the Classroom program! Here, we shine a spotlight on the dedicated educators who are cultivating a love for agriculture among their students. Our mission is to share inspiring stories, innovative teaching strategies, and valuable resources that empower teachers to incorporate agricultural education into their classrooms.
Whether you're an experienced educator or just starting your journey, Teacher Feature is here to support you in fostering a deeper understanding of agriculture and its importance in our everyday lives.
I was fortunate to be able to grow up on a dairy, hog and crop farm in Dodge County, Wisconsin. I am grateful for the adventures, struggles, and accomplishments I experienced as a young girl. While taking care of the calves was my favorite part growing up, the other less “fun” parts were also very instrumental in helping me understand that good things take time, effort, and a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears. I have had calves die on me, hay bales fall on me, and our very mean and ornery Holstein bull terrorize me endlessly as a young child. Each of these memories helped me build a background that has served me well as I continue in this journey called life.
My life adventures also helped me have success in our local FFA chapter in high school, and then as a student at UW-River Falls where I received a B.S. Degree in Agriculture. After graduation, I moved to Richland County and started my first adult job working with farmers in the dairy industry and then working in a dairy manufacturing plant in their supply chain division. Soon I was married to my husband, Jerry, and we had two children. Our children were involved in 4-H in many different projects, which led to Jerry and I becoming 4-H leaders. Eventually, life events happened, and I needed to be a little more flexible in my working life which brought me to being a substitute teacher. Through this experience, I went back to school at the age of 40, and I received my teaching license. The adage that “You are never too old to learn,” is so very true. I have been a full-time teacher for the past 18 years and it has been a continuation of adventures, opportunities, and experiences for me and my peers.
In 2015, I was selected to be a part of the Notre Dame Trustey STEM Fellowship - Cohort 1. This fellowship was instrumental in helping me and my team bring STEM Education to my school. Since then, I have been able to share my knowledge and experiences with others through conferences, professional development workshops, and in my classroom for my students. As an Ag in the Classroom Educator Ambassador, I get to work with so many fantastic educators and leaders in agriculture to inspire others to learn more about where our food comes from and where to find the resources to assist them in their journey. Some resources to consider are the opportunities to apply for grants and other funding and professional development through Ag in the Classroom. These funds and PD workshops helped me bring not only STEM Education concepts to my students but also allowed those cross-categorical connections with agriculture, literacy, geography and so on. Bringing these new ideas and concepts to my students and my peers has been rewarding and extremely fulfilling. Knowing that my students know about engineering design practices, regenerative agriculture practices, companion crop planting, soil structure etc. makes this teaching gig incredibly diversified. Using these concepts, I am working to develop a middle school mentor program where my students help develop, plan, and present STEM Challenges through literacy to younger students in my school. Getting kids to think outside the box and tell me about their thinking when they are creating their projects is the ultimate reward. Being able to sit back and facilitate when needed and then enjoy the show of mentor/mentee relationships growing and prospering is the best.
So, as you can see, my path is one that had a few detours I followed to find my way to the classroom. Each adventure, opportunity, and struggle helped me build a stronger background and make connections that were vital to making my journey successful. So, in the long run, it doesn't matter how you get there, what matters is what you do when you are there. Will you or can you be "that" educator that wants to learn something new every day? I hope the answer is, "YES!" because that is where my passion lies and my heart is truly happy.
To learn more about the Notre Dame Trustey STEM Fellowship, Ag in the Classroom opportunities, or my mentor program, please feel free to reach out to me.
7th grade students led elementary students in the all-school STEM Challenge based off the story, "PB & J Hooray!" by Janet Nolan.