BY: R YA N P I E N I A Z E K P R E S I D E N T O F T H E A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S A N D K R U M H I G H S C H O O L A G R I C U LT U R E S C I E N C E T E A C H E R
MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
W
elcome to the most wonderful time of the year! It’s a time for counting blessings, restoring hope, and celebrating peace on earth. As we reflect upon 2020, our world has experienced great challenges and navigating through those challenges has required all of us to adapt and grow. Social distancing and the wearing of masks have placed barriers. The essence of community has been challenged, as Zoom meetings have temporarily replaced large gatherings. Educators have been required to think outside the box and adapt to teaching in the ever-changing classroom. If there is one thing that 2020 has proven, it is that nothing is for certain. We have tackled many challenges including; but not limited to quarantine, school closures, and cancelled activities; all courtesy of COVID-19. We have lost some of the great legends in our profession during this year, and dear family members. Fortunately, their legacy will still continue because of the impact that they made on our lives and in the lives of their students. If anything, we have learned to hug our loved ones a little
tighter, embrace each moment quarantined right before the with family and friends, and contest. take nothing for granted. For most of us, the schoolhouse Agricultural Science Teachers is the epicenter of the local are a special breed. There is community. School activities no off-season for ag teachers. bring everyone together to A typical ag teacher will go support our students - whether from the State Fair to project the activity is athletics, band, selection, to Leadership FFA, or other school programs. Development Events, to major Our schools are the hub for shows, to Career Development training each generation’s Events, Advanced Awards, Agriscience Fairs, Leadership Conferences, State Convention, “ONE THING THAT I and then the cycle repeats. Our AM CERTAIN OF IS job is multi-dimensional and we THAT AGRICULTURAL seize the opportunity to provide students with a well rounded SCIENCE TEACHERS experience in the classroom, WILL ONCE AGAIN SAE, and FFA activities. Some of us teach several preps, seven RISE TO THE periods a day, and possibly on CHALLENGES AND different campuses. During this CONTINUE TO pandemic, you have balanced the needs of remote learners, ADAPT IN ORDER TO as well as in-person learners, MEET THE NEEDS probably at the same time. OF PREPARING You have secured SAE’s while also training LDE’s in a whole OUR STUDENTS new format. You may have FOR PREMIER even experienced your own quarantine. I, myself, had to LEADERSHIP, miss the State Fair pig show, PERSONAL GROWTH as well as my former teaching AND CAREER partner’s wedding, when our Agricultural Issues Team was SUCCESS.” 22
