AG TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

Daniel Phillips

Fairfield High School

TENURE: 21 YEARS

WHY DO YOU TEACH AG?

A big reason I teach ag is the influence my two high school ag teachers had on me and their impact on my life. As ag teachers, we must educate our students to continue the work in the agriculture industry to take care of the world for future generations.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASSROOM MEMORY AS A TEACHER?

My favorite memory is during the 2012-2013 school year. I was awarded the Teacher of the Year for Fairfield ISD, Teacher of the Year for the VFW, and selected as the first Justin Boots Teacher of the Year for Texas.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AG EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT?

Agriculture is the backbone of this country, and as ag teachers, we are responsible for educating our students so they can continue the traditions and improve on how agriculture is used every day. Also, the hands-on aspect of agriculture classes makes learning fun, and we have something to offer every student.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF AS A FIRST YEAR TEACHER?

I advise a first-year teacher to take a deep breath and relax. I started mid-year, so I was overwhelmed at the beginning. After I got the first full year under my belt, things settled down, and I was able to get comfortable as a teacher and FFA advisor.

Jay And Jordan Trees Father And Daughter

"I WILL SAY THAT I HAVE TAKEN ON MY DAD'S PERSONALITY IN THE CLASSROOM AND REALLY ENJOY WHEN MY STUDENTS ARE GETTING THEIR HANDS MOVING AND LEARNING BY DOING."

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO WORK IN AG EDUCATION?

"I knew I wanted to be in ag education from a very young age, and my dad had a lot to do with that decision. I enjoyed watching him have a successful career and the ability to be a family man still. I wanted that for myself in my future. My mom is also in education, and my grandparents and I think that just set a foundation for how impactful teachers can be on young minds."

- JORDAN (DAUGHTER)

IS THERE A BIT OF A FRIENDLY COMPETITIVE RIVALRY?

"At the end of the day, we love competing because we only make each other better at our job. We enjoy bouncing ideas off one another, asking questions, and getting constructive feedback. I know I always have my biggest cheerleader behind me, rooting me on, and he has the same!" - JORDAN (DAUGHTER)

WHY DO YOU THINK AG EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT? HOW DOES THIS PLAY INTO YOUR FAMILY’S INVOLVEMENT?

"Fortunately, I knew before many kids my age where our food comes from, and my brother knew the same. It made us more aware of the world around us and what we were doing, whether it was raising livestock for show or just a garden in the backyard. There was more of a purpose to it. My brother currently works a trade, and I know that his hard work ethic comes from his time on the baseball field and in an ag classroom. Agriculture is a family-involved industry, and ag education is the same way."

- JORDAN (DAUGHTER)