Climbing My Way Through Arboriculture:Ag Mechanics Demo Lesson

Climbing for my final exam fall '18

Teaching a demonstration is different than any other method of teaching but, as an agriculture teacher it is an important skill. For this lesson I took skills from my favorite Penn State class and taught them to tie knots related to tree climbing. We learned how to tie a monkey fist and set our ropes in the tree.

What did I learn?

During this lesson I did not get the throws into the tree my first shot. I told my students that we can't get everything right all the time and I was going to try again. When I did I got it. I learned that being honest with students when you make mistakes is a powerful thing. It gains their respect and they were more willing to try it and make mistakes when they try it.

What would I change?

I would have students make sure they knew the steps by popcorning the steps back to me verbally. This way I can ensure all the students know the steps. I would also have the students who were watching one student do it mimic the steps with that student doing the demonstration.

Where would I apply a demonstration?

Climbing final fall '18

The lesson I did was for an applied arboriculture lesson but, a demonstration can be used in many classes. I would easily use it in a vet tech class with any of the practicals laid out by National FFA. I would use this in a plant science class with how to plant a seed or floral design with making arrangements. This pedagogical


skill can be adapted and used in several parts of my classroom.

It's a Small World After-all: Attending the NAAE Convention

Quick statistics on my experience at NAAE Conference

• 2.991 miles from my house in Torrington, Connecticut to the National Association of Agriculture Educators Convention in Anaheim,California 
• 9 the people in my cohort who made this trip an experience
• 6 the hours it took for us to fly from Philadelphia to Los Angelos, Ca
• 3 the number of incredible professors who helped make this trip possible and meaningful 
• Priceless: The knowledge gained and people I met along the way

What is NAAE,FAST and ACTE?

Agriculture Teacher's Creed

NAAE is the National Association of Agriculture educators. This is my professional organization as an agriculture teacher. FAST stands for Future Agriculture Science Teachers and is part of the National Teach Ag! Campaign. There are several FAST Symposiums across the country including a larger one at the NAAE conference.

ACTE is the Association of Career and Technical Education. Several teacher education groups falls under this organization including NAAE. NAAE holds their conference in conjunction with ACTE.

Workshop Highlight:

Inclusion workshop
By Dr.Vincent

My favorite workshop of the week was with Dr.Vincent from University of Kentucky on inclusion in the classroom.In this workshop we discussed how to be aware of all students background and how to ensure students all feel welcome. This can mean attending school activities and sitting with family members of that student, attending a church event for a religion you may not associate with or being exposing kids to new foods on school trips. Being inclusive is something I have an interest in and something I want to try my best at as a new teacher.

FAST Participation:

Jess and me getting ready
for FAST! 

I was blessed to be able to be apart of the FAST Symposium. I had a really awesome roommate from the University of Kentucky and got to interact with about 70 other future agriculture teachers from about a dozen universities. The most important take away from being surrounded by these individuals all week was we are all about to experience student teaching and we all have the same fears. I was able to connect with people outside of my cohort on ideas for lessons and fears we shared as we entered the classroom in January. This was a powerful piece to show me I am not alone.

Importance of team bonding

PSU Ag Ed '20 at FlightDeck

 Throughout the week I definitely felt overwhelmed with new material either pedagogical or content wise.On Thursday night we went to a flight simulator as a cohort with our university supervisor, Dr.Curry, and flew planes while trying to shoot each other down. This was the perfect way to decompress before the next day of travel. I definitely needed a night with my people where I felt comfortable enough to reflect on what had happened so far this week but, to be myself without fear of judgement. I know my cohort is the perfect set of people for that! This also made me realize that when I plan trips such as State and National FFA Convention to make sure I plan time for my students to decompress with a fun activity in the area.

To next years cohort:

My cohort with
PA ag teachers

When you plan to attend NAAE convention next year remember these simple tips.

1. Attend workshops outside your comfort zone. I went to one on blood samples and turf grass. I gained a ton from them and connected with those teachers. It helped me plan my plant science and microbiology units!
2.  Meet as many people as you can: back to being outside of your comfort zone. Meet people and build relationships. You never know how you can help each other or where you will end up teaching some day

Tying it together:

I could go on and on about this trip because it truly was an experience. I had no idea that a speech I listened to by Ellen Thompson as a State FFA Officer in D.C would give me the experience to work with her all week at the FAST Symposium at NAAE Convention. This trip made me realize that I do love agriculture education and I am in the right place.

Watching the sunrise with PSU Ag Ed '20

Classroom Management 101

After a few times in a classroom and reflecting on those experiences we are finally getting to the week were we discuss classroom management! I am excited to gain skills and understanding of how I can better manage my classroom to engage students but,  also provide guidance when needed. Identify 3 relevant connections to your student teaching internships

1. I will be stepping into a new classroom for 15 weeks. I will be changing some things but, keeping some the same. Having the struggle of keeping this classroom in order as we make the transition between teachers will be a hard one but, something that I can pull skills from to make a bit easier.

2. I will have some students doing independent study. When these students do come down and work in the labs while I may be teaching a class can be a struggle. Finding how to balance both students is another skill I am hoping to learn this week.

3.I will be student teaching 5-12th grade. The way I manage each grade will look slightly different so taking skills into the classroom of all ages is important. This comes back to learning your students as well. 

Identify 2 connections to other courses that are part of your #TeachAg Journey

1.The reading discussed finding students interests and engaging that interest. This connects to lesson planning and Lancelot's principles of interest. Keeping these two ideas in mind we can engage students with an interest approach and connect them to interests of their own. This helps students want to be in your class and lowers distractions.

2.What I found to be interesting was being silent or using facial expressions to help convey to students to change behavior. When I was microteaching and doing my lifeknowledge lesson these were two things I wish I would have known. I had students at time talking over me when trying to give directions or bringing them back together. Knowing this I could have had a different experience.

Identify the Triangulated Connection (w/ citation!)

This article from Edutopia discusses 19 ways to better manage a classroom. These quick tips are perfect for a new teacher!

Pre NAAE Experience: How Can Professional Development Help Me?

This coming week I will be attending the National Association of Agriculture Educators Conference in Anaheim,Ca. I have been to several conferences with the National FFA but, never one to focus on my skill set as an educator.

Here are some questions I have before I experience this trip:

For my future administration:

Do you value professional development? Is there any funds set aside for teachers to attend professional development?

For your cooperating teacher

What professional development have you attended over the years? How do you pick what you attend once you are there?

For one my your cohort:

What are your goals for this week? How did you select what workshops to attend?