“Ag Ed is Sweet” (or What it’s like at a Region VI NAAE Conference)

“Did you enjoy your vacation?” Yes, that is what some of my friends asked upon seeing my pictures from the Appalachian Brewery, Hershey Park and Hershey Chocolate World.  Although all of those experiences were part of my week (and the more exciting shots to post on Facebook), from July 9-12, I was in Hershey, PA at the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region VI Conference. This is how I spend my “free” time in the summer, pursuing professional growth and development opportunities. I am one of those educators who although grateful that my school paid the registration fee, had to reach into my own pocket to cover lodging and meals. Why do I do it? Partly because as a professional who believes in the NAAE Creed, I live the line that reads “I will endeavor to develop professionally through study, travel and exploration.”  It is my responsibility as an educator to be engaged in continual improvement.

Below is a snapshot of what my experience included.

So, what exactly happens at a regional conference?

• Goody Bag Welcome: If you are lucky, you get welcomed with a goody bag. In Pennsylvania, this amazing treat had an assortment of teaching resources, local foods, a conference t-shirt, and my notebook with information about the event.
• Workshops: I had the chance to choose from nearly 30 different workshops that would meet my needs.  This year I engaged in workshops that connected me to resources to better implement technology in the classroom, provided a richer understanding of the environmental and natural resources career development event, explored strategies to use inquiry in food science units and gave me a better understanding of features of the virtual NAAE Communities of Practice.  I walked away from these workshops with some amazing resources including a GPS unit, wildlife ID books, a bonsai I created, and more!
• Tours: This was not an easy decision as there were four quality tours including food science, equine science, production agriculture, and then a plant science/ animal science option. Being a fan of chocolate, I opted to tour the Hershey Research Facility and then experience the chocolate tasting at Hershey Chocolate World. I even got to sit next to our NAAE Region VI Vice President.
• Networking: Sure, I’ve “seen” some of these people in the NAAE Communities of Practice or exchanged tweets with them on Twitter, but regional conferences give the chance to have face-to-face discussions with Ag Ed Colleagues. Breakfast every morning involved a trio of us from New Jersey talking Ag Ed. Of course, some of this networking takes place at evening events, hence some of those fun shots for Facebook. J
• Taking care of business: Regional conferences are not all workshops, tours and networking though. Part of the experience includes serving the profession.  In addition to attending regional business meetings, this year I also chaired the Region VI Member Services Committee and served on other committees, as well as engaged in judging NAAE Applications.
• Vendors and Displays: I almost wished that I lived in PA and had access to their WoodMobile when I visited this roving resource. I also had the chance to talk to an assortment of people about products to support what I do as an educator. Vendors usually mean some “freebies” to take home.

Have you been to a regional or national conference for your profession? What is your favorite part?

National Teacher Appreciation Week: Ag Educators – Study, Travel, Explore! #teachag

Not only is it Thursday of Teacher Appreciation Week, but it is also the first Thursday in May 2012. What does this mean? It means that the #teachag campaign has begun to inundate Twitter on Thursdays with tweets about the passion agricultural educators have, the different they make, and the rewards of the profession.  I am fortunate to be blessed with a great group of agricultural education colleagues both in New Jersey and around the US, people who like me live the line of the National Association of Agricultural Educators’ Creed which states “I will endeavor to develop professionally through study, travel and exploration.” 

I was reminded of that today as I sat in a workshop with six (plus a Skyped in) agriculture teachers from around New Jersey who were learning the requirements of a grant we had all received to infuse our classroom instruction with the Curriculum for Agricultural ScienceEducation (CASE).  These colleagues will be sacrificing their own time this summer in intensive study (with homework, a portfolio and an end of training exam!) to help increase the rigor and relevance of the programs of study their schools offer.

My twitter feed (post about Agriculture Teacher Travel Opportunities) served as a further reminder that through travel I have the opportunity to connect with my colleagues across the nation to develop professionally. I have been fortunate to have experiences at regional professional development conferences, national workshops, and through being part of a Teach Ag in DC program that have not only helped me strengthen my teaching practice but also allowed me to get to know my colleagues better.

On a daily basis, I get the chance to explore ideas and content shared by agricultural educators from Florida to Oregon to Texas to Iowa and nearly everywhere in between. By being part of a networked group of educators on NAAECommunities of Practice and on twitter, I get the chance to grow.

Ag Ed colleagues from Maryland and Iowa and I during Teach Ag Day events in Washington, D.C.

Agricultural education colleagues, I appreciate you!  Let’s continue to travel together on this journey of study, travel and exploration.