NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
September 2018
#TammyTalks
Tammy Christian, Penelope
Greetings from Penelope, Texas. By now most of you are back in the saddle, school has started, the students have returned, and you have a “to do list” that is growing! I hope you had time to enjoy your summer and rejuvenate before heading back to the grind. Thank you for helping us make our conference in Lubbock a success, I hope that you were able to attend some workshops that will be helpful and beneficial to you. A highlight of this year’s conference was the note burning ceremony. Being able to pay off the Agriculture Education Ford Texas FFA Leadership Center in Austin, early, is a great accomplishment. Thanks to all of those involved for making this possible, and to Barney McClure for his guidance, management and watchful eye over our finances. I want to thank you all for the opportunity to serve you as President of the VATAT. It is a humbling experience and one I do not take lightly. For me, this coming year is not about leaving legacy’s or making my mark, it is about serving you; the members! Please let me know if I can help you in anyway or if you have concerns. I appreciate all the words of encouragement and well wishes. It’s going to be a great year! It was 1980 at Penelope High School, I was a freshman and
excited to be enrolled in my first ag class. My ag teacher was Gene Hawthorne, and it was his first year to teach at Penelope. I entered his classroom a shy young lady, lacking a bit of self-confidence. But I was so excited to take ag, and I could not wait to put that blue jacket on! That first semester was spent much like many of us spend it now. We learned and recited the creed, talked about FFA, and the opportunities we would have, and we covered the parliamentary guide. Mr. Hawthorne encouraged us, pushed us, prepared us and motivated us! At the end of the first semester, I had been elected greenhand president, served as presiding officer of our chapter conducting team, and we had landed a 10th place banner at state in greenhand quiz. I was excited for the spring and the topics we would cover in class and the contests we would participate in. To be continued... As we head into the 2018-2019 school year I have a few tips to share. Please know you will have the Tammy Christian’s that are eager to learn and excited about ag. You will also have those who are taking ag not by their choice but their counselor’s, do not overlook those! In my 28 years of teaching I have learned a lot, but I have room to learn so much more. Upon return from conference I get a list of potential dates that I will need a sub
and I turn it in. At the end of each month I review the coming month and make any necessary changes. Those who schedule substitutes will appreciate it. Get a calendar, use your calendar on your phone, make notes, have to-do lists, look at them all, everyday! I cannot see those deadlines and dates of events too often! It’s fundraising season and time for dues, write receipts and keep good records. Most of my career has been spent in a single teacher department, my goal has always been to have a well-rounded program. Don’t limit your students on your knowledge, learn with them, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Public Continue on page 2