NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
October 2015
Are You Making The Most Of Your Chances? Ray Pieniazek, East Central
Howdy! By now you are off and running with a new year and a new group of kids. Last month I quoted the book Forty Chances by Howard Buffet. He notes “that you get a limited number of chances to do what we do.” Have you taken any chances yet? Have you used a new strategy to help your students in mastering a concept? As Buffet works to assist communities in solving hunger problems he states that “a recipe developed in one country or context may not work in another.” I love to share my lessons and activities with others. However, I wonder if they work for others as well as they work for me. Be sure you evaluate each lesson to see how it is working for your students. Were your students able to master the goals and objectives you set for them? Each day we have students with a variety of backgrounds walk into our school. Sometimes we know their backgrounds, and sometimes it takes us a while to uncover them. Howard Buffet notes his dad had a concept he calls the ‘ovarian lottery’. The concept is defined as the notion that the degree to which you are likely to prosper is largely
determined by the circumstances of your birth. Think about that statement as it might relate to your students? Our job should be to help students overcome this situation by showing them opportunities to improve themselves and make themselves more competitive in the future. Some students may not even let on to the fact that they have things at home holding them back. You may not even know if they have had a meal today; maybe the only meal they get on that day is what the school serves them. It seems sometimes we don’t even have a clue that it is happening. According to Buffet, in many households “items like rent, utilities, transportation and insurance bills are not negotiable.” These items are paid first, leaving many families little left to eat on. Hunger can make a difference in a student’s attitude. I often have snacks in my class and watch some students literally knock others out of the way to get a handful of animal crackers. Are you doing things to battle hunger in your community? As fall shows arrive and leadership competitions get under way, be sure to share where you
are going and your schedule with your administration. It has been said time and time again, maintaining communications with your administrators is important. This is one way they can better understand how you spend your time and why you may be gone so much. I wish you luck as you continue to prepare our young people for the real world. Never forget you were hired to be a classroom teacher first and foremost. Keep positive and it will rub off on your students. See you next month and continue making the most of your chances.
VATAT News
Limited Days Away From School Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director
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Agriculture teachers often have official duties away from the classroom. Supervising students at stock shows, contests, community service events, and even personally participating in professional development activities can all be legitimate reasons for missing school. I get a number of calls, even as early in the year as this, when a teacher asks me if their school administration can legally limit their days away from school. The answer is an unqualified yes. This decision is one of local control and there are no state guidelines or rules. Some schools are very restrictive with a limit of ten days, and others are more liberal with a limit of thirty or more. Some districts are aware of the time necessary to accomplish the job, and some are less so. There has to be some common sense and some sense of perspective on this issue. When an issue like this comes up, I always explain that this is an opportunity to have a bigger, more strategic discussion. What kind of program is in place, and is it the kind of program that the community, school administration, and the teacher desire? Programs that are heavily weighted toward stock shows typically require more time away from school. Those that participate in a lot of competitive events also take more time away from the classroom. Remember that your contract states that you are hired as a teacher, first and foremost. If the stakeholders in your community have a vision of your program that differs from yours, I hope that everyone listens. Remember that you are the expert on agricultural education in your district. It may be possible to educate everyone on what a well-rounded program involves. At the end of any collaborative process, a written document should be adopted that completely explains any policy that will be in place. Once that policy is arrived at, it is up to you to follow it as long as you are employed in that district, or the policy changes. I hope each of you are having a great year, and if our office can be of assistance, let me know.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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VATAT................................................................1 - 3 Texas FFA.........................................................4 - 5 Foundation....................................................7 Texas FFA Alumni..........................................9 Young Farmers.............................................10 - 11
VATAT News
Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas
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VATAT News
UPDATE 2015-2016 First Quarter Board Meeting Tom Maynard, Texas FFA Executive Director The Texas FFA Association Board of Directors convened in Austin for its first quarter board meeting September 14, 2015 and took the following actions: • Welcomed new board member Michael Meadows, Agricultural Science Teacher at Simms. • Pursuant to Texas FFA Policy 33.3(g) elected Jerome Tymrak as chairman of the Texas FFA Realignment Commission and Jack Winterrowd as Vice Chairman. • Received the preliminary report of the Standing Committee on State Officer Election and a report from the Committee on Budget and Finance. • Received reports from the Board of Student Officers concerning state officer team activities and goals and agenda items which will be before the National FFA Delegate Body. • Received a report from the association’s contracted meeting planners concerning the 87th Texas FFA Convention held in Corpus Christi. • Revised board operating policies and set its third quarter board meeting for Monday, April 4th in Austin. The board also set aside the Sunday before the second and third meetings for committee work and executive session. Other 2015-16 meetings of the Texas FFA Association Board of Directors will be held on January 11 in Austin and Friday June 10, location contingent on State FFA Award Selection and Degree Check site selection.
Career Development Events With regard to career development events, the board of directors took the following actions: • Did NOT accept the CDE advisory committee recommendation to reinstitute feeder cattle grading in the Livestock Evaluation event. The board did not question the industry relevance of knowledge and skills related to this component, but deemed it prudent, as a matter of policy and precedent to the leave the question to be addressed in the ongoing revision process, especially since the class was removed at the request of the committee a year ago. • Approved a committee recommendation to raise entry fees by $10 to accommodate improvements 4
in individual award hardware. At the request of the committee, Texas FFA designed and awarded plaques to high individuals in state contests and when the supply of state CDE pins is exhausted, National FFA pins will be awarded. With the exception of the Agricultural Mechanics CDE, entry fees will be $60 in 2015-16. The Agricultural Mechanics entry is now $90. • The board also adopted language clarifying rules concerning allowable clipboards, dress code compliance related to contest start times and when patterns for performance classes will be distributed in the Horse Evaluation CDE.
Speaking Development Events Regarding speaking development events, the board took the following actions: • Approved a committee recommendation to eliminate pre-judging of manuscripts in the prepared events. The rule change does not eliminate the evaluation of speech topic, content, organization and grammar, but shifts those evaluation points to the contest judges. • Approved, in principle, a committee proposal to allow electronic storage devices for extemporaneous speaking reference material. The rule document will be on the second quarter board agenda. • The board also approved recommendations to extend the maximum speaking time in the junior division of the prepared speaking contest to eight minutes and to strike language related to alternates in the Prepared Public Speaking-Senior Division.
Scholarship Selection Related to the Texas FFA Academic Scholarship processes, the board took the following actions: • Approved an alternative academic achievement measure which allows a student to use class rank instead of unweighted grade average. This does not supplant the use of unweighted grade average but allows a student to use the higher of the two measures. • Adopted an amendment to Texas FFA Policy 22.3(p), providing additional time to review, verify
VATAT News and finalize scholarship results. Previously, the policy required a 24-hour review period, but the amendment extends this review period to five days, for the purpose of verifying that all recipients meet donor requirements. • Approved changes to the scholarship application dividing the financial need and leadership sections. The 2016 application will divide committee work from offices held and in the financial need section, remove the phrase “…if yes, explain,” which was interpreted by some to mean that the response was optional. • Endorsed a committee recommendation to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to amend the eligibility requirement to receive a HLSR scholarship from the current top quarter of an applicant’s graduating class to the top 1/3. The original committee proposal requested that the recommendation be applied to small schools with graduating class sizes of 60 and fewer. The board opted to strip that language from the proposal and request that the benchmark be applied universally, as it is for some of HLSR’s other scholarship programs.
• Approved added language to the quiz and chapter conducting contests listing what parliamentary content was eligible for use and what content will not be used in 2015. • Approved a general rule amendment striking out obsolete language related to payment of entry fees. Policy and rule documents related to the amendments described in this e-mail will be revised in the next couple of weeks. Meetings of the Texas FFA Association Board of Directors are open to the public. We welcome your questions and comments concerning these and other matters. Contact the Texas FFA Association via email at TxFFA@TexasFFA.org or phone at (512) 480-8045.
Leadership Development Events Concerning Leadership Development Events, the board took the following actions: • Adopted clarifying language in the Job Interview Event that lists what a student may bring into the contest. This language is now consistent with national rules.
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VATAT News
UPDATE Texas FFA Foundation: Mission - Vision - Goals Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director
Mission Statement The Texas FFA Foundation seeks to strengthen agricultural education and the Texas FFA Program, so each student can develop their potential for personal growth, career success and leadership in a global marketplace.
teachers, students and communities. To ensure a dynamic future for Texas agricultural education and the Texas FFA Program, the Texas FFA Foundation will seek financial resources sufficient to sustain these programs in perpetuity.
Strategic Goals
Support - The Texas FFA Foundation will champion through financial support excellence in recruitment, Through a coordinated effort by the Texas FFA retention, involvement and advocacy efforts of Texas Foundation to engage the Texas FFA Association, Agricultural Education and the Texas FFA Program. Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association of Texas (VATAT), Texas FFA Alumni Association, Collegiate Leadership - The Texas FFA Foundation will serve FFA Association of Texas, and Texas Young Farmers as a catalyst to facilitate the planning, manpower, and Association in cooperation with business, industry, financial resources needed to develop and maintain agricultural colleges/universities, and governmental effective and cutting edge agricultural education and leadership over the next five years, the Texas FFA FFA programming. Foundation will work to advance agricultural education Advocacy - The Texas FFA Foundation will fa and the Texas FFA Program. Building on the proven success of Texas agricultural cilitate effective communication and rapport with key education and the Texas FFA Program, our mission business, industry and governmental leaders to ensure will be distinguished by the continued development, dynamic learning opportunities for Texas students, funding and implementation, of cutting edge learning educators and communities. opportunities focusing on: critical thinking, technical and practical skills, teamwork, leadership and Stewardship - The Texas FFA Foundation will communication skills, strong work ethic and academic employ sound management, investment strategies and business processes to ensure in perpetuity the integrity achievement. Progressively, the Texas FFA Foundation will work of all gifts and disbursements of funds per donor intent. with affiliate organizations to more clearly define the public’s understanding of the personal and economic value of agricultural education and the Texas FFA Program. The Texas FFA Foundation understands the critical role of agricultural science teachers. We will promote our teachers as a valuable resource, dedicated to teaching, and service to the profession and their communities. As a necessary step in enhancing the range and depth of our teacher’s capabilities, the Texas FFA Foundation will work to develop effective programs and alliances with corporate sponsors, private foundations, community, education professionals and governmental leaders to maximize learning opportunities for Texas 7
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VATAT News
UPDATE Lighthouses Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President Summer is always a very busy time in the agriculture education profession. My summer consisted of Area Camp, State FFA Convention, losing my 105-year-old Grandmother, VATAT Conference, and various other school related activities. Yet, amongst all of this my wife and I had the opportunity to visit the East Coast and escape the sweltering temperatures of Texas to enjoy highs in the lower 80’s. We had our fair share of eating lobster, Maine blueberries, and other delightful local eats. We toured Historic Boston, saw the Old North Church, looked out over the Boston Harbor, visited Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Kennebunkport. These are several memories that I will cherish as “time away” or quality/quantity time with my wife as well. The most fascinating thing that really impressed me were the lighthouses that are scattered along the rocky East Coast. Some were extremely picturesque yet others were merely structures that were functional. The vast majority dated back several years. One that we visited was erected when George Washington was President. Despite my awe of the structure, the beauty of their appearance, or the scenic background of the waters and rocky shores on which they stood. One can’t lose sight of the true working functionality of these structures. I was reminded of a Southern Gospel song that I fondly remembered as a child growing up entitled “The Lighthouse.” The song compared a person’s life similar to that of a ship lost at sea and the lighthouse that stood on the hill saved them from the rocky shores and the perils of life. Several times in our life we find ourselves in similar situations in our lives. Perhaps that lighthouse is your spouse, your teaching partner, your administrator, your students, an Alumni member, or you have THAT spiritual lighthouse in your life. Isn’t great to know that we have something in our life that keeps us from crashing on the rocks of life.
by the National FFA. It was very informative and inspiring. There were few in attendance but I feel everyone walked away ready to go back to their local programs ready to conquer the world. National FFA really wants to see growth in the Texas FFA Alumni as well as our State Council. The “new” affiliation dues are a great way of handling dues. It allows for more money to stay locally yet still receive the benefits of being associated with the National and State FFA Alumni Associations - nonprofit status~501(c)3. I hope that you consider chartering or reestablishing an Alumni Affiliate this year. If the name “Alumni” obscures your local parents or supporters because they did not have the opportunity to wear the Blue & Gold...continue to call it a “Booster Club”, “Friends of (fill in the blank) FFA, your local buyer group, etc. Shakespeare said a rose is a rose by any other name...we welcome you aboard to fall under the FFA Alumni umbrella.
Convention Update Thank you to the vendors that supported the Alumni Auction and the Alumni Affiliates/Chapters that participated in our Basket Contest. I would like to say a special thank you to The McCoy Family for their continued support of the Texas FFA Alumni. Also, a special shout-out needs to be said to Ken and Melissa Johnson and their contributions.
Alumni Business I recently had the opportunity to attend a Regional FFA Alumni Development Conference in Dallas hosted 9
VATAT News
UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary This month you will find information regarding our State Convention in Bryan, Texas in January. Terry Hausenfluck is acting as our convention coordinator this year and has provided useful info pertaining to the event. The board has put a lot of effort into planning the education and entertainment aspects of the convention and we would like to extend an invitation to you. The scholarship luncheon is a very important part of the convention. We invite you to attend. The auction funds the $7,500 we provide in scholarships every year. In addition, we are always searching for quality items to be placed in the auction. I hope to see you in January at the 62nd Texas Young Farmers State Convention. I would like to remind everyone that it is time to turn in your roster and dues. We would appreciate all information to be turned in by November 1, 2015. When I was appointed State Executive Secretary in 2005 we had 26 chapters and approximately 600 members. I am proud to say that as of last year we had 46 chapters and 828 members in Texas. My goal is to have 50 chapters and 1,000 members. I believe we had enough interest at the VATAT Conference to allow us to exceed the 50 chapters if each fulfills their promise. Two have already organized, and I feel certain that there will be others. Now our challenge is to recruit new members. Last year our largest chapters were Barbers Hill and Teague with 53 members; Gonzales with 49 members; China Springs with 45 members; and Crosby with 41 members. May I challenge you to work hard and increase your membership by 10% and with these new chapter coming on board we will be crowing the 1,000 members’ milestone. Please remember our goal is to EDUCATE our 10
adults about agriculture, provide support for our local youth and to increase our scholarships on the state level. Thank you to all advisors for you dedication to the program and all that you do for your youth and community. May you have a successful school year.
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VATAT News
2016 State Young Farmer Convention Report Terry Hausenfluck, Convention Coordinator We are still in the process of preparing for the upcoming State Young Farmer Convention on January 7-10, 2016. We appreciate the support and suggestions from our 2015 convention followup reports. Some changes have been made to help finalize preparations for this year’s convention. The registration date for the convention is December 1, 2015. After that date there will be an increase in the registration fees as in the past. This was done to get head counts earlier for tours and transportation. This year we have a new Convention Sponsor in Mass Mutual Financial Group. They will be sponsoring the Ice Breaker on Thursday, January 7th. Keep in mind we will have meat and vegetable trays as well as snacks, deserts and drinks at this event. Also dominoes will be available for games and conversation. They will also have an exhibit set up about their services with all of our fantastic sponsors who have continually worked with us. They will be presenting a workshop on Saturday dealing with basic financial and estate management with some emphasis on agricultural enterprises. They are also providing table center pieces for our banquet Saturday night. We are planning to have another hands on floral workshop on Saturday presented by Bryan High School agriscience teacher, Barbara VolTunnell. This will require signing up at registration and paying a $10 fee for supplies so we can have enough materials for the workshop. All arrangements
made will become the property of the participants. We are still negotiating the exact tours but some will involve areas at Texas A&M University and with the TAMU transportation buses. Due to small attendance at the CEU workshops, we have elected not to provide those this year. Also due the changing times and limited participation, the board has decided to drop the Farm Business Contest and Test from the Convention and replace it with a Texas Young Farmer State Convention Test to stimulate greater participation from attendees. The test will be a timed test with questions covering all aspects of the convention each year such as activities, tours, workshops, meetings etc. plus general questions about the Texas Young Farmers and its history. First, second, and third place will be determined by the most questions correct in the time allotted for the test. Prizes will be presented if sponsored just like the other events. This contest will also qualify for sweepstakes. The convention schedule will follow the same format as last year. We will have a Casino Night following the banquet on Saturday night. If any members are aware of other individuals or businesses to contact for sponsorships, please email their information to me at terryh57@hughes. net. I would appreciate that information to continue to bring the membership a quality state convention. I encourage everyone to attend the 2016 Convention here in Bryan. For those of you who have been coming and were here last year, bring your friends. I will update information in the coming issues as it is confirmed.
We would like to recognize a few of the hard working FFA members that served as Texas FFA Foundation Ambassadors at this summer’s Texas FFA Convention. These young people made sure we were at the proper location at the proper time and continuously were asking if we needed any water, snacks, etc. They also helped us take down our booth at the conclusion of the event. A few Ambassadors are pictured above with Executive Secretary, Don Been and President, Kenneth Brown.
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VATAT News
VATAT
614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Upcoming Events October
November
December
6th State Fair of Texas Agriculture Awareness Day
1st Texas Young Farmers Dues & Roster Deadline
8th Heart of Texas Fair
2nd FFA Dues Deadline
5th & 6th State LDE’s at Sam Houston State University
15th Prairie View A&M Invitational LDE Contest
9th Late Priority Swine Tag Order Deadline
14th VATAT Board Meeting, Austin
24th Aggiefest Contest
30th Last Day to Validate Swine
24th - Jan. 3rd Team Ag Ed Offices Closed
28th National FFA Convention
1st Junior FFA Dues Deadline
YOUR PARTNERS IN PRINT HIGH QUALITY SALES CATALOGS Call Don Denny Today!
Office 806.794.7752 | Cell 806.789.7712 slategroup.com
Contact www.vatat.org
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Officers Ray Pieniazek, President
Shane Crafton, Vice President
Michael Meadows, Secretary/Treasurer
Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director
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Ashley Dunkerley, Communications
Karen Jones, Membership Services