Recipient Organization
Tri County High School
(N/A)
Wolcott,IN 47995
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Tri County High School and Indiana TEAM AG ED propose to conduct the Indiana Future Agricultural Science and Business Teacher Academy. Objectives of the proposed Future Teacher Academy are to: a) introduce students to the opportunities available in teaching agricultural education; b) allow students to experience the educational model used in agricultural education and discover how and why it works; c) expose students to the college application process; d) give students an opportunity to work with award winning teachers; and e) develop personal leadership skills.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Tri County High School and Indiana TEAM AG ED propose to conduct the Indiana Future Agricultural Science and Business Teacher Academy. Individuals responsible for this activity include Ms. Grace Gochenour, ASB Teacher, Tri-County High School, Mr. John Demerly, Executive Director, Indiana FFA Association, Dr. Mark Balschweid, Teacher Educator, Purdue University. The objectives for the proposed Future Teacher Academy are to: a) introduce students to the opportunities available in teaching agricultural education; b) allow students to experience the educational model used in agricultural education and discover how and why it works; c) expose students to the college application process; d) give students an opportunity to work with award winning teachers; and e) develop personal leadership skills. It is anticipated that a high percentage of the participants in the Indiana Future Teacher Academy will enroll at an institution the following year in a course of study pursuing a
degree in Agricultural Education. It is the desire of Indiana TEAM AG ED that 80% of the participants of the initial Future Teacher Academy will matriculate in an Agricultural Education program and become licensed to teach Agricultural Science and Business in the state of Indiana. Unfortunately, this is an outcome with a much longer time frame than what can be realized during the reporting for this proposal. However, additional results of the efficacy of this proposed program will be measured through questionnaires administered to the selected participants both before and after the academy. The participants will be surveyed regarding the strength of their desire to become an Agricultural Science and Business teacher, what influenced them most to consider teaching as a career, and what concerned them most about becoming an Agricultural Science and Business teacher. Ultimately, the consequence of this activity will be a greater supply of licensed Agricultural Science and Business
teachers prepared to entire the field of teaching.
Project Methods
The Indiana Future Teacher Academy will consist of a four-day resident camp/institute to be held at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center in Trafalgar, Indiana. Located near Indianapolis, the Indiana FFA Leadership Center offers 170 acres of natural environment that provides a tremendous setting for a Future Teacher Academy. Owned and operated by the Indiana FFA Foundation, the property houses plenty of space for the proposed activity and is home to several Indiana FFA Camps throughout the year. In addition, the Leadership Center is an ideal setting for potential teachers to consider how they might one day bring students of their own to an FFA activity at the Center. The Indiana FFA Leadership Center is centrally located in the center of the State of Indiana affording potential students living anywhere in the state the opportunity to travel to the Center. In addition, the National FFA Organization Headquarters is easily within one hours drive from the Leadership Center.
Participants will have the opportunity to visit the National FFA Headquarters and hear directly from National FFA Staff involved in the Teacher Services Team. Finally, students will have the opportunity to travel by Purdue University bus to the campus of Indiana's Land Grant Institution to hear from experts in the field of education and agriculture and to begin the process of applying for admissions to Purdue University in Agricultural Education. The staff who will be supervising the camp/institute will be individuals who have years of experience working with high school students in camp settings. Presenters and discussion leaders will include outstanding educators from across the state with appropriate contact and experience in teaching in every Agricultural Science and Business setting and level. Students will apply with the knowledge and signatures of their high school Agricultural Science and Business Instructors, Principals, Guidance Counselors, and Parents/Guardians. Twenty-five
(25) students will be chosen to participate in this initial proposed academy. Selections will be on the basis of academic records, activities and honors, and the response to: why you are interested in a career teaching Agricultural Science and Business?