KENNETH PARKER
REFLECTS ON FOUR DECADES AS AN AG EDUCATOR IN TEXAS
F
or more than 100 years, agricultural science education has been positively impacting students and local communities. Throughout that time, there have been thousands of ag educators who worked tirelessly to advance agricultural science education and the FFA. Many who have dedicated their entire adult lives and careers to students in and out of the classroom. One of those individuals is Mr. Kenneth Parker. HOW DID YOU FIND THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE TEACHING PROFESSION? I grew up on a farm and started 4-H at a very young age with the support of great parents and four siblings. This led me to the ag teaching profession. Early in my career, I had great agriculture education mentors and peers like Robert Little at Brenham ISD, Loyal Thomas at Bryan ISD, Eddie Harrison in Washington County, and Charles and Ida Mae Parker who helped me get started. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT? As an agricultural science teacher in Fort Bend ISD, I understand how important it is for kids to know where their food and meat come from. It is important for them 18
