Kenneth Parker Reflects on Four Decades as an Ag Educator in Texas

KENNETH PARKER

REFLECTS ON FOUR DECADES AS AN AG EDUCATOR IN TEXAS

For 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

to support, learn and participate in gaining knowledge of and skills in all aspects of agriculture. I want all of my students to be a part of the entire agriculture process.

HOW HAS TEXAS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION EVOLVED OVER YOUR TENURE AS A TEACHER?

In my years as a teacher, I have seen good and bad changes. First, I have had the opportunity to watch great individuals like Fred Mclure and Coby Shorter challenge students and myself to work with all races of people in agriculture.

In the past, there were only a few black teachers in the profession. There were only about 20-35 and I had the utmost respect for them. They possessed skills that I wanted to learn. Their style of teaching helped me create the system I use to get my kids to learn. Those teachers knew a vast amount about poultry, cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, but they also knew others would not give them chances to express their skills and knowledge.

I am very lucky to have gained so much knowledge from them. They were excellent. They all had a great deal of self-pride and respect for one another to enhance the skill of teaching and learning. Unfortunately, I can remember a time when some of them lost their jobs as agriculture teachers during integration. This was very hard on some of them.

WHAT DOES TEXAS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION NEED TO DO TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS FORWARD?

I hope that the agriculture industry and agricultural education will continue encouraging all races of people to participate in all aspects of agriculture. All students need to know they are accepted into a program that really cares about them. For example, capturing pictures of diverse students and projects in the agricultural education magazine, or playing more than just country music at state convention sessions, concert, or dance. I have had many students express they feel left out because they do not feel represented. This has to change to make all of our lives better, because representation matters.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME WORKING WITH STUDENTS?

My most favorite memory as a teacher was trying to win the Area III leadership contest held at Blinn College. My team placed behind Gerald Young two years in a row and the judges informed me we were close, but not quite good enough to advance to state because we had different types of kids in that contest. My students were very diverse that year. They were good kids, and I made sure they worked well together. To this day, it is still my teaching style to work with ALL students.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FIRST-YEAR TEACHER?

The advice I would give a first-year teacher is to have respect for your students. Do not look at his or her hair, clothing, or outfits. That will change when they learn to respect you as a teacher. Please learn about how some of them have to survive, work with their parents who are busy, and give them a chance to understand what agriculture and agricultural education could do for them. Let them know life is not all about football, basketball, or other sports. It’s about them learning how to respect themselves, and teaching the next generation to gain more from each other as good agriculture students.