Student Teacher

Katie Clontz
Emphasis Area: 
Internship Location: 
local
Mode: 
in-person

Supervising Practitioner

Ms. Caitlin Reynolds

Why I Teach Agriculture

I fell in love with learning. That is the simple answer – my desire for more information and then the inability to contain what I had learned led me on a path to discover a passion for teaching. I love the “ah-hah” moment of realization, when content and concepts click for a student and they are able to take that next step. I aim to develop dynamic curriculum which makes knowledge accessible to all students and allows them to explore their passions. Agricultural education is particularly unique in scope compared to traditional classes, focusing on vocational readiness and leadership skills delivered in the context of agriculture-based curriculum. The multifaceted nature of anag program enables agricultural education to cater to each individual and scaffold as that student grows. By participating in FFA and engaging in the 3-component model, students will develop leadership, inquiry, and critical skills which will prepare them to tackle new challenges. While I hope that some of my students decide to pursue an ag-related career, I realize this will not be the majority. Students should be prepared for whatever path they choose to follow after leaving my classroom, regardless of whether that path leads them into industry, higher education, or simply as an educated consumer. Agricultural education is uniquely positioned to provide relevant experiences which simultaneously develop the soft and technical skills students will use in the next chapter of their lives.