NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
May 2019
#TammyTalks
Tammy Christian, Penelope
I hope you all have had a few days to rest, relax and spend time with your families. I hope you had a chance to read Barney’s legislative update email a few days ago. The days are ticking off for this legislative session. While the House school finance bill passed, the Senate has not passed anything on it yet. It will be interesting to see what happens, and we will keep our fingers crossed. Continuing my journey.... things started falling into place. I was able to pass the ExCet and get certified in Life/Earth Science. I continued to teach 7th and 8th grade science along with Ag. After several years of being back at Penelope, the Superintendent I had started teaching under left, and things started changing a bit when the new Superintendent arrived. He took an interest in the program and in me. He bumped me up from an 11-month contract to a 12. I got a phone in the Ag building as well as a computer. I felt like I had won the lottery! The program was starting to
come together and have some of the success I had wanted for my home town school. We started a booster club and had a group of hard-working parents. We had quite a few students involved in showing cattle as well as other things. In 1999-2000 Penelope FFA had our first state officer. It was an exciting time to say the least. Teaching in my hometown had been a great experience, but a part of me felt like I needed to challenge myself a bit. I did not want to become so comfortable that I quit challenging myself and doing a good job. I interviewed at a neighboring school for a Jr. High Science position. I can remember returning home and discussing the interview with my husband. His words “you are not ready to not be an Ag Teacher” and he was right, I was not! To be continued…. I simply cannot get over how fast this spring is moving! We are just over a month away from completing this school year and I feel like I still have a lot left! I am in the middle
of preparing for Area Degree Check and Convention and planning our banquet. This is always a stressful time as we work to have our students prepared for awards and scholarships to recognize and reward all their work. While Penelope is a very rural area, I have fewer students who can do traditional animal SAE’s, so I must do a better job of being more creative with SAE’s. SAE’s are very important and probably the part of the threering model that most of us struggle with. We owe it to our Continue on page 2
What does the Certification List Really Mean? Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director
The list of Industry Based Certifications (IBCs) recently released will be in effect for the next two years. It lists 13 certifications linked to AFNR programs. This is a more robust list than the one it replaced, but some of them will be little utilized, and some will be embraced. It should be noted that even if the certification is listed on another program section of the list, it will still count. College, Career and Military Preparation is evaluated on the latest school accountability rating system. Career and Technical education fall under this umbrella. One of the measures is the attainment of an IBC. There are other ways a school district may obtain credit for this measure for their CTE students. It is measured for graduating seniors, and if a student hits one of the other measures, they are counted. There is no advantage for checking more than one box. Under many conditions, enrollment in a University or trade school without the need for remediation, enlistment in military service, or attainment of a satisfactory score on SAT or ACT test, all give the district credit in this section. Obviously, attainment of an IBC also counts. I don’t want to minimize the importance of certifications. They are one way to determine the effectiveness of CTE programs. However, we all know that industries hiring our students will be the ones who ultimately decide whether the student is “work ready”. School districts will dictate just how important the attainment of these certificates really is. If your district decides that all CTE programs must lead toward a certificate, it is their right to do so. Our summer Professional Development Conference will be critical as it relates to these IBCs. We plan to have several workshops dedicated to how to prepare students for these measures. Educators who are already seeing their students obtain certifications and 2
providers of these certifications will be utilized to put on the workshops. I hope these workshops will help teachers get ready for the next step in the process. I hope to see you there.
#TammyTalks Continued
students to help them find an SAE that fits them. I encourage you to make this a priority in your program. At this point in the year, there are a lot of changes starting to happen in programs. Teachers are starting to change schools and vacancies are opening across the state. If you find yourself applying, or interviewing to make a move, please remember to be considerate and professional with all parties involved. It is certainly understandable that everyone wants to accept the best position for themselves but be mindful not to mislead anyone. Educators are great networkers and Ag Teachers tend to run a tight circle. Be careful not to burn any bridges! Good luck to you all as you begins to wrap up this school year. Stay positive! Until next time!
THERE CAN’T BE A GAME WON WITHOUT A GAME PLAN See what Texas FFA students have to say at mytexasffa.org
INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT.......................................1 - 3 Texas FFA....................................4 Young Farmers......................6 - 7
THE NEW MY TEXAS FFA
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What ag education classes do you teach? Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Horticulture Science, Floral Design, Landscape Design and Management and Animal Science. Why do you teach ag? To hopefully encourage one student to do a little "extra" in life! I believe that "champions are made when no one is watching." There are so many things done in our profession that go unnoticed, like preparing lesson plans, securing SAE projects, hauling livestock to stock shows, and training LDE and CDE teams. Those are just some of the many reasons we teach, in addition to our inborn fondness for agriculture. I have been truly blessed to have taught with great teaching partners, people I am proud to call my friends. Relationships with my peers have given me a security that no matter what Texas town I am in. If I have car trouble, I can find a friend at the local ag department to help me out. I truly believe that teaching ag is a lifestyle, not a just a job!
What’S your favorite classroom memory? The day our students had their first plant sale from our greenhouse. It was a great feeling to watch students realize that being responsible and following procedures can lead to a successful event and outcome. Even if it's just a pansy sale! What is your favorite FFA memory? I have been blessed to teach many successful students. However, if I had to choose one memory that stands out it would be the year our chapter won both the state Junior and Senior Chapter Conducting LDE.
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What advice would you give a first-year teacher? It is better well done than well said! Sometimes it is best to look, listen and always be willing to ask questions.
Why do you believe that ag education is so important? Ag education lays a solid foundation for any student to be successful, not only in college, but in life. Our curriculum and youth organization provide a balance for any student to find an avenue for success. It provides a path for all students to realize that a work ethic and good character can be the answer to many issues in life.
Do you have advice on balancing work/home life? Every situation is different. However, it is best to find a balance, or your job can consume all your time. It seemed much easier when my wife and I began finding ways to work together. Her efforts and time become valuable to our students and she shared a small part in the success.
Ag Science Teacher
MINI AG INSTITUTE Field
Experience The Mini Ag Institute is a professional development event for teachers to experience agriculture first hand and learn how food and fiber can be used in the classroom to enhance science, math, ELA, social studies, nutrition and more. CPE credit will be given to all teachers in attendance.
Deadline to register is May 31. For more information and to register, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.
Free
Resources
Engaging Activities
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UPDATE Notes From
the
Executive Secretary
Bob Young, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary
Goodness, how did we get here so quickly? This school year is rapidly ending. This is a good time to ask ourselves if we have done all we could have for our respective groups and organizations. Did we take advantage of our opportunities to improve our effectiveness? Did we do all that we could to help others reach their potential as we were trying to reach ours? Did we accomplish goals that were set weeks and/ or months ago? Did we do these things with integrity, honesty, and unselfishness? We are fortunate to be involved with these agriculturalrelated groups that emphasize work, ethics, perseverance, and accomplishments. If we use the principles of conduct FFA, Young Farmers, FFA Alumni, VATAT, and all the additional supporting organizations emphasize and promote, we are serving successfully. Success obtained from within makes more success attainable in our communities. So, when you look back at the 2018-19 school year, please reflect on accomplishments achieved, milestones conquered, relationships nurtured, and valuable education provided or received, as well as so many other things. I do hope you have had a rewarding and productive year. We had our Spring State Officers Board Meeting in Mexia on Saturday, April 13. We had very good attendance and had very productive discussions about several topics. Planning is underway for our 66th State Convention on January 9-12, 2020, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Denton. Arrangements for tours, meetings, and workshops were discussed. We will share information as plans are finalized. Scholarship applications were reviewed, and we will announce the recipients in the next newsletter. We had excellent students vying for five $1000 scholarships. We also discussed methods to 6
encourage the creation of more Young Farmer chapters in our state. Of course, communication and awareness of benefits and advantages are important keys to making that happen. We need input from AST’s and Young Farmer members to help us accomplish this goal. Our next State Officers Board Meeting will be in Denton in July. Now we want to honor one of our 2019 State Convention Award Winners. As the school year draws to a close, take time to reflect on the good you do as a valuable part of our agricultural education system. It’s banquet time, a time for awards, acknowledgements, scholarships, and initial preparations for the next school year. Enjoy the fact that you are part of this great system which provides us with the means of doing so much good. Until next time, remember that an unknown author offered this quote for our listening pleasure: “Don’t stop when you are tired; stop when you are done.” Thanks for listening.
Texas Young Farmers Outstanding Member 2018 The Gonzales Young Farmers Outstanding Member for 2018 is Robert W. Bland. Robert has served as President of the Chapter for several years and ensures that our chapter runs smoothly. Whether it is setting up the meeting room or coordinating members for our various projects, Robert is instrumental in making the chapter function. This year Robert helped our chapter move meetings from the cramped Ag Building to the VFW Hall. This has allowed our chapter more room, a kitchen to help prepare meals, and more parking for members. Additionally, Robert keeps us informed of all the State Association happenings by serving as
State President, continuing Gonzales’ history of having strong state association participation. Robert also provides updates from the NYFEA and encourages members to attend both State and National Conventions. Robert represents our chapter on the Area XI board by serving as Vice-President. Robert generously offered the use of his office as a collection/distribution spot for our various fundraisers. He allows the Chapter to keep a storage building behind his office for storage of the Chapter’s Barbeque supplies. Robert can also be found at our Barbeque Fundraisers helping season the meat, stoking the fire, and distributing the meat to the purchasers. You can also find him selling gun raffle tickets and promoting Young Farmers every chance he gets. When Robert isn’t helping the Young Farmers, you can find him either working at his law office or chasing cows on his ranch. Robert has a deep love for Agriculture and the Gonzales Young Farmers, so it is no surprise he is our Outstanding Member for 2018.
Thank You to Our Texas Young Farmers Sponsors
KOOPMANN CATERING SCHULENBURG, TX 979-561-6272 koopmanncatering@gmail.com
Texas Young Farmers Outstanding Member 2018
The Gonzales Young Farmers Outstanding Member for 2018 is Robert W. Bland. 7
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DISH is proud to support Texas ag education. Introducing the DISH Ambassador Program, a new way to fundraise for Texas FFA chapters Are you an FFA advisor? Learn how your chapter can participate in the DISH Ambassador Program at dish.com/FFA
FFA and its members are not authorized retailers of DISH products and services, for information on DISH products and services please contact DISH directly. Door-to-door distribution of materials regarding the DISH-FFA program is prohibited. Telephone solicitation in connection with the DISH-FFA program is prohibited. Use of the FFA Name or Mark does not represent an endorsement by FFA of this product or service or an endorsement by FFA of the manufacturer or provider of this product or service. From October 24, 2018 until June 31, 2019, for every new and qualifying former customer that signs up under DISH’s Digital Home Advantage program, FFA will receive $200.00. Restrictions apply. Program not available in AL, HI, IL, MA, MI, SC. See website for details.
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For more information about scholarships, contact your nearest Army ROTC program at 817-257-6461 or text NA25 to GOARMY
Š2019. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.
mccoys.com/farmandranch
We want to help FFA members be more successful, so we’re offering discounts on the products you use most. Visit mccoys.com/ffa for additional information about special pricing.
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VATAT
614 E. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701
Upcoming Events May
June
1 State Officer Candidate Application Deadline
1 - 4 State Leadership Conference
23 Texas FFA Foundation Board Meeting
5 - 7 State Degree Check
24 Ford Leadership Scholars Interviews
July 15 - 19 Texas FFA Convention 29 - Aug. 2 VATAT Professional Development Conference
7 Texas FFA Board of Directors Meeting
www.vatat.org
Contact
(512) 472-3128
vatat@vatat.org
Officers Tammy Christian, President
Terry Baize, Vice President
Staff
Ryan Pieniazek, Secretary/Treasurer
Barney McClure, Executive Director Ashley Dunkerley, Communications Karen Jones, Membership Services Tori Rosser, Special Projects
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