7: National FFA Week!

This week was my first National FFA Week celebrated in a high school. I was impressed! Here is how we celebrated the week of greatness at Manheim Central...

Manheim FFA members posed for a photo
with State FFA Officer Thomas Gabel

Boot Scootin' Tuesday

On Tuesday, FFA members asked their peers to wear their cowboy boots to school It was fun hearing the clicking of boot heels on the ground and see some great cowboy boots around the school. 

After school it was our chance to "Meet Your State Officer" at Hoss' in Elizabethtown. Just a short drive to Elizabethtown brought good food, friends, and jokes (Not only for students but also for teachers!).

Cole shows off his "whipped cream game"

Winning Wednesday

On Wednesday, small cows were hidden around the school with the promise of :find a cow and win a chocolate milk!" During my time here at Manheim Central High School I've come to the realization that students can become addicted to chocolate milk. In Mrs. Anderson's room we sell Kreider's chocolate milk and there are some individuals who can't make it through the day without their bottle. The chance to find a chow and win a milk was a pretty enticing incentive. 

After school FFA members invited teachers to stop by the Ag department for a complimentary sundae. This ice cream social was to show appreciation to the other teachers in the building. Smiles were shared because who doesn't love ice cream!?!?

FFA members posing in their favorite flannel shirts

Thank a Farmer Thursday

On Thursday we took a calmer and more heartfelt approach by writing thank you letters to local farmers. As we all know, it feels great to be thanked but it feels great to be the one doing the thanking as well. Thank you farmers. 

Favorite Flannel Friday

Friday was a day to wear flannels. They were sported all day around the school. Dressing up is always a fun way to show pride and spirit. The FFA members had been working hard for weeks to plan out the first annual Manheim FFA Food For All Banquet. This banquet was a free meal for attendees and all that was asked for was a donation to the three organizations that spoke during the meal. First we heard from 2 Seconds or Less, then from Heifer Project International, and lastly from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Students and guests learned a lot about the hungry people across our globe and those that are as close as our school district. We all left the banquet with a sense of purpose and a feeling of hope.

My First Trip to ACES

Ms. Anderson poses our group of students for a quick photo

What a weekend. This was my first time attending ACES and one of my first trips on which I was taking students. There were a few highlights that I would like to share.

1) A heightened sense of connection with my students. This was the first time that I had spent time with many of them. Others I have in class and have seen at FFA meetings but did not know as well as I would like. This trip to ACES, our time spent there, and the trip back allowed me to get to know them better. We made jokes, laughed about eating habits, and reflected upon what they had learned. I am curious as I go back to school this upcoming week, how the relationships with them will change. I hope that they feel more comfortable talking to me about things and interacting more in class. Stay tuned!

Teachers learned about water samples
using the inquiry based approach

2) Professional Development that ROCKS! The workshop on Saturday for teachers was about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. I LOVED IT. We learned some ways to connect watersheds around us into the curriculum we teach through MWEEs (Meaningful Watershed Education Experience). These experiences have a focus on environmental stewardship but don't have to specifically be about water or on the Chesapeake Bay. Although I am not from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed I recognized that I may be able to implement some of this during my time student teaching that pertains directly to this watershed. I also realize that no matter which watershed I get a job in, I will be able to tie meaningful lessons about ecological sustainability.

3) A chance to recharge my battery with other ag teachers. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing the friendly faces of my fellow ag teacher colleagues. They are so supportive of us young teachers! I can not count how many times I was asked, "How is student teaching?" My confidence and warm feelings were heightened with each ask as I was reminded that other teachers really care. They are rooting for me and all of the other Penn State 2018 teacher candidates. If that doesn't make you smile then I don't know what will. Remember that there are many individuals out there who are praying for you to succeed and be the BEST YOU. I will never forget the kindness that has been extended from these great teachers and I will be quick to show that same compassion to the ag teachers that come after me.

6: Where is the Love?

This week has me thinking a lot about a four letter word... L-O-V-E. From conversations with my family, fellow cohort members, and friends that I don't get to see as often as I'd like to great reflections that took place at the ACES conference. Here is what I found out: Love does many things. Love can uplift, recharge, connect, and succeed. I was glad to see the love spread amongst so many young people at ACES. The state officers reminded the students that a little love can go a long way and that approaching all things that we do with a sense of love will get us farther in life than if we approach with hate. Taking a focus on inclusivity in our great organization of FFA leads one back to love. I challenge you to enter your week wearing "love glasses." I challenge you to do this not only in your place of work but also with your loved ones. Tell them how you are grateful for having them be a part of your life. Refuse to take anything for granted and show love. I dare you.

What to Expect When Interviewing...

I spent a bit of time with the middle school principal talking about educational interviews. I learned some things that I did not know about the interview process all while soaking in some great advice!

1) Just as the great Dr. Seuss said, "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you." The strongest advice that I have been given thus far is to BE YOURSELF! During the first round of interviews, the school is checking to see if you are personable. What type of human being are you? Would you be refreshing to work with? If you sound like a Oscar the Grouch then it would be common sense to think the interviewers might be turned off from speaking with you again.

2) Don't change your beliefs for a position. This is similar to a dating experience for any of you who have gone on a first date. Never change who you are for a person and never change what you believe in for a job. Putting up a facade at the first round of interviews will only leave you beat down and defeated at a later date. Put your best foot forward, bring your game face, and impress them by sharing a piece of you!

3) Express how you will make a difference at their school. Ultimately you are a teacher and are there to serve the knowledge bank and stretch the minds of the students. Let the administration know how you plan to stay up to date with current industry trends and what you will continue to do to ensure you are growing as a teacher.

Get out there and be the best you! Interview strong, ya'll!

Professional Gardening as Professional Development

Mrs. Seibert, Megan, and myself in the conservatory.

Today's Horticulture Symposium at Longwood Gardens

Many people know that I pride myself in being a lifelong learner. Others also know that I enjoy gardening throughout the spring and the summer. Although I consider myself well versed in the area of animal science, I find that I love plant science as well and want to know more about it.

I was lucky enough to have a student who received a scholarship to attend this symposium at Longwood Gardens which meant that I got to go! It was a lovely day filled with plants and flowers and insects. We heard from international gardeners, collegiate professors, and graduates of the Longwood Professional Gardener Program. I must say that I learned many things about finding insects in your garden and around you and I also also learned that wild flowers have a seed bank to make sure that they do not go extinct. I was also amazed to find that vanilla beans come from the vanilla orchid!

As I follow the path along my TeachAg journey, I plan to continue with my professional development. I fully believe that never passing up the opportunity to learn will allow me to better myself and therefore better the classes that I teach my students.

Never stop growing!

We had fun finding plants with fun textures.

5: The Lunch Bunch

In preparation for student teaching, I had heard that having lunch in the faculty room can lead to some "issues" when you are a new teacher. Sometimes a group lunch can bring negative conversation where complaints are scattered through the room like confetti and all teachers try to outdo each other with their horror stories.

Allow me to be the first to say that I am not encountering that scenario with my lunch buddies! I am lucky to have "A" lunch during third block with an amazing group of teachers. There are eight of us "regulars" that come to eat lunch together in the faculty lunch room. This includes myself, the three ag teachers, a photography/cinema teacher, two power and structure technology and engineering teachers, and one wood shop teacher. Some days are more lively than others but it is common to hear jokes and laughter every day. We swap stories, talk about what is happening around the county/community, and jest about what time lunch is over. It is from our time at lunch where I have learned a lot about the school district demographics and fun things to do while I am here in Lancaster County.

My takeaway from this week is to explore what you've been given. If I would have entered the lunchroom with a predetermined mindset that all conversation should be avoided for a fear of negativity then I would be missing out on some great stories from great teachers. My advice would be to scope it out! Don't miss out on a great connection or friendship because of one example that you heard. Have a great week!

SAEs as a Co-op!

The following two Supervised Agricultural Experience visits were at a student's "placement" Co-op. Students at Manheim have the opportunity as a senior in the ag program to leave school at 10:50 to go to their work-based SAE!

The Sweet Secret to Success

Emily poses with a cake that she decorated!

On January 26, 2018 I had the chance to drop by and visit Emily at Cake and Cup Bake Shoppe in Lititz. Emily is a very dedicated and hardworking individual who is currently enrolled in my Applied Animal Science 1 class. Emily was also crowned the Manheim Farm Show Queen at eh 2017 Manheim Community Farm Show. When scheduling her co-op experience, teachers were cautious of sending Emily to a bakery for half of the school day. The hesitation was understandable remembering that SAEs are intended to grow a student's skills in an agriculture career area that they have interest in. However, we are thrilled that Emily has found a passion in cakes and other delectable goodies. She was eager to share the many technical skills that she has gained at Cake and Cup Bake Shoppe. As we spoke to her employer it was evident that Emily has been making the most out of her time there. All of the employees at the Shoppe hope that Emily will consider staying a part of the team after graduation. We couldn't be more proud!

It was fun to drop in and see Emily at her job.

Mane and Tail

Kristen and Spartan.

Our second co-op visit took place on February 1, 2018. This visit was to see Kristen who is working as an Equine caretaker at a riding barn in the Northeast corner of the school district.
Kristen introduced us to her gelding, Spartan and they let us snap a quick picture. She is incredibly driven in her pursuit of horse care and she hopes to become a trainer like her boss at the farm. While Kristen is at work, she helps manage the horses nutrition rations, feed them, muck their stalls, and exercise them daily. Her favorite part of the job is that her tasks are always different and she is faced with new challenges depending on the mood that her equine friends are in. Kristen is on the right path to meet her goals and we hope to visit with her again soon!

4: Story Time

In the past 4 weeks of my student teaching time I have been amazed at the stories that veteran teachers can add into their lessons. No matter what the topic, no matter what the lesson, these teachers can share a story that is relevant to the local area and entertaining as well as educational!

As a young pre-service teacher always knowing what story to tell (or even having a story to tell) is difficult at times. The important thing is to avoid comparing yourself to these legendary teachers. Just think, everyone has some stories and the only way to build our story bank is by having experiences that we can add to the bank.

So get out there, do things, gain more stories that are relevant and educational so that you can share them with your students. Never be discouraged just because at this moment you don't feel as story worthy as the teachers you have observed. We are young! We are beginners! We are novices! We have time to grow!

To the current student teachers, aka #PSUAgEd18 believe me when I say this, our cooperating teachers are master story tellers which can add to our story bank. So pay close attention and soak up their stories like a sponge. Take advantage of being in the presence of excellence by using our observation time to the fullest!

#BuildThatBank