NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
July 2015
The Way I See It Jack Winterrowd, Cedar Park
“A dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep.” Mack David from “Cinderella” “What are your dreams?” As teachers, how many times have we asked our students that question? How many different answers have we received? What do we do when we get an answer that surprises or disappoints us? Do we consistently lift people up with their dreams intact? I have been blessed in my teaching career to have many students who were successful in various aspects of FFA. Some developed outstanding SAE’s. Others became successful leaders. Even more applied their knowledge and skills to jobs and careers. In each case they made individual choices and followed through to achieve their dreams. “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” - Colin Powell July is a month for dreaming in the FFA and agriculture education. We take students to the State FFA Convention and they leave the event inspired. For some, it will be lifechanging. I have heard many stories told by young people who, while attending their first state convention, dreamed of their future in the FFA and set the goals that influenced the remainder of their FFA career. It is so exciting for me to see the wonder in a greenhand’s eyes when they watch the opening session of convention
unfold. The state officers, sounds, lights, lasers, energy and collective strength of that experience makes a profound impact on many of them and for some, it changes their lives. One young man in particular began the journey of his FFA dream while attending his first convention as a very small boy. At the ripe old age of nine, he stood on the big stage and helped introduce his oldest brother’s retiring address and from that moment forward, he never wavered in his focus to someday return to that same big stage as a Texas FFA Officer. Along the way, he set and accomplished many other goals for his FFA experience. In addition, he set goals and dreamed of his life after the FFA and he worked hard to accomplish those dreams as well. On May 8, 2015 he stood on another big stage and delivered the Student Response at the College of Agriculture and Life Science Graduation at Texas A&M University. His dream of serving as Freshman Class President had happened. His dream of becoming the Mascot Corporal had been realized. His dream of being a leader in the Ross Volunteers came true. His dream of wearing senior boots and an Aggie Ring and graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree that would provide him with an exciting job opportunity had become a reality. Daylon Koster has achieved many great things in the time that I have been blessed to watch him grow
and mature. In many ways, he was the ideal student that ag teachers dream of teaching at least once in their careers. He dreamed big dreams, set high goals and then worked relentlessly to achieve them. He will freely admit that he didn’t achieve everything that he dreamed of. But I am certain that he would tell anyone that those things were minor setbacks and motivation for him to dream and achieve even more. “Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams.” -Benjamin Carson As teachers, I wonder if we sometimes don’t dream enough about our careers. We think about and talk about our “dream job”.
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