Growing Our Future: Texas Agricultural Science Education Magazine

CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS THROUGH TRENDY SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS

BY: DAWSON SHANNON BRIDGEPORT HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHER

In reality, social media influencers are the individuals our students look up to today. Often, these people tend to be young, trendsetters looking for the next best lighting for that perfect picture.

Who are these people our students and future generation is looking up to?

During school, our students look up to us as their teachers, but what about when they are not sitting in our classroom or on an FFA trip? In today's world, we must stay ahead of the next big thing; find new ways to connect with them.

In 2017 when Mrs. DeShazo and I started teaching together, we wanted to stand out. We strived to connect with our community, faculty, parents, and students, so we started making fun, ag ed videos and posting them to our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

As COVID protocols started to take over our lives in 2020, I saw more and more reasons to investigate what TikTok had to offer. This social media platform was a whole new world, and I was initially very skeptical. However, in today's world, the good must be more visibly present than ever, even online. Why not create informative, respectful, and fun videos to promote ag education, the FFA, and agriculture?

These social media trends can also open the door to more in-depth conversations with your students. At this year’s state convention, our chapter members came across numerous influencers featured in the exhibit hall. It provided a great opportunity for us to discuss topics such as, "Why do kids follow them? What do they convey to help with society, future generations, and positivity?"

Since I started posting videos, I have tried to find ways to connect to the students through popular and appropriate trends. I try to not only use my time to educate but show humility and positivity. Creating content that will connect to others on a personal level. Setting an example for our students to see, inside and outside the classroom, provides them with a better understanding of who I am as well.

THE MISSION WE STAND BY IS 'BE A LEADER, BE THE INFLUENCER YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO SEE, PROVIDE KIDS WITH A GOOD EXAMPLE, AND THEN AGRICULTURE EDUCATION WILL COME NEXT'.

Since I began posting on Tiktok, students have told me I have inspired them. They will walk in and say, "Oh, I saw that on TikTok! That's fire, Mr. Shannon!" can be influenced at any moment on social media; why can it not be us? I want to keep our kids safe and help them be successful as young adults. If that means I must step out of my comfort zone to post a trendy TikTok, then I will! If I can provide a positive example, then I have accomplished an important lesson.

I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and connect with our students in a different setting. If we sit and wait for them to come to us, then we may never make an impact.

The mission we stand by is "be a leader, be the influencer you want your kids to see, provide kids with a good example, and then agriculture education will come next."

Anyone can follow me on TikTok or Instagram @dshannon2587 or my teaching partner @agteachismything.