What About Everyone Else?:Attending National FFA Convention

This week I was able to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. I attended with 7 students from Conrad Weiser Area High School and 2 advisors from the middle and high school. 

While at the convention I was able to talk to several teachers from around the United States and discuss how do we prepare students not attending the convention for success in the classroom while I am away.

Conrad Weiser Students walking in Indy

Here are some questions I discussed throughout the convention:

To my future students:

What were some things you wanted your peers to know about the convention?

To my cooperating teacher, Mr.Serfass:

How do you have students share their knowledge coming back from convention? 

• Students talk. They talk about experiences and it won't ever come out as "this is what I learned" but, through communicating they will share their take aways from convention. Students also share on social media and even if it isn't a clear message they allow students to see a sliver of the convention.

For one of your current virtual mentors,Annette Weeks:

What are your students doing back at school?

• They are doing a project over several days. She suggested leaving a plan for the whole few days and then chunk it into sections for each day. Get to know a sub in the building or a retired teacher so, someone can cover your class and be comfortable in the labs. 

Overall the experience of taking students to convention with Conrad Weiser taught me a ton about what it means to travel with students. The first time I take students anywhere it will not go 100% as planned but, now I have an idea of what to do thanks to this experience.