Most Wonderful Time of the Year

BY: RYAN PIENIAZEK PRESIDENT OF THE AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS AND KRUM HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHER

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

leaders. During school closures the importance of education and our school community has been made clear. As we prepare for the spring semester, there is a lot of uncertainty lingering about what it might look like for our students. One thing that I am certain of is that agricultural science teachers will once again rise to the challenges and continue to adapt in order to meet the needs of preparing our students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

This past fall, I have been reminded of the importance of the FFA motto. I’ve learned that “Learning to Do” means we are still learning and pursuing excellence, even when we don’t have all the answers. “Doing to Learn” means that we are willing to do whatever is necessary to educate our students, while also modeling lifelong learning as we embrace current challenges. “Earning to Live” has helped evaluate our students’ SAE projects and reflect upon the purpose of livestock or other SAE projects during a time with possibly no market. “Living to Serve” means that even amidst a pandemic, we still find ways to support our local community. Community service is critical as we teach students that service to others is more important than self. If there is any breed of educator that can rise to meet current challenges, it is Agricultural Science Teachers.

So as we enter the holiday season and spend time in reflection, I challenge you to take a moment to recharge, enjoy time with your loved ones, and consider the growth you made as an educator this year. Take a moment to enjoy the season with renewed hope; and be an instrument of peace in your home, school, and community. As you work on your 2021 vision, analyze ways to build community within your classroom, your chapter and your local district. On behalf of the ATAT Board of Directors, Merry Christmas and best wishes for a prosperous 2021!