Professional Opportunities at ACES Conference

Did you know that ACES stands for Agricultural Cooperation Establishes Success? Also, did you know that this name was created by a pervious Derry FFA member? Awesome! I am amazed with all the ‘fun’ facts I learn about my chapter and its members, which made this past weekend one to remember!

On February 17^th and 18^th I was able to fully immerse myself in my first ACES conference. That is right, I said FIRST. Although I was a FFA member in high school, I never took the opportunity to attend this conference. Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Rippole and I were able to bring fifteen energetic and enthusiastic FFA members from Derry.

Selfie time with all the Derry FFA members

Throughout the weekend, our students were able to engage in agricultural based workshops, leadership activities, and social functions. Not only was this an amazing opportunity for the students, but even for agricultural educators. Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Rippole and I were able to participate in a professional development workshop and collaborate with other agriculture educators throughout the state.

Professional Development: As someone who has grown their roots in agriculture education through a growth mindset, I believe in professional development. This is because this is how educators stay relevant with the changing technologies and information within the agriculture industry, while learning new ways to teach material, with additional resources to use in the future. This year at ACES, agriculture educators were given an awesome experience through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The foundation’s program shared many materials and resources that can closely be aligned and integrated into agriculture education. Additionally, we were provided with contacts of personnel from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to use in the future.

Courtesy Corps: Since this was my first FFA event as an ‘advisor’, this  was my first time helping with the FFA Courtesy Corps. FFA Courtesy Corps is a program where teacher help with student management in the hotel after curfew. We are guests in the hotel and it is important to make sure that the students represent themselves, their school, and the FFA with pride and distinction. As a result, after curfew has passed and students are to be in their rooms and quite, teachers split up among the floor to monitor the halls. If a student leaves their room, has the TV on too loud, or if they are talking/laughing too loud, the teacher will intervene. It was really awesome to help with this because it is something that I believe all teachers should volunteer for at one time or another. If everyone helps out from time-to-time, everyone can benefit as well. Plus, it is a great way to meet new agriculture educators from across the state.

Overall, ACES was awesome and full of opportunity to grow as an educator with other educators and FFA members.

Day 1: First Time for Everything

The FIRST of anything comes with nerves, yet excitement. As I approached the Farm Show Complex with a bus load of students, I can say I felt both.

I was nervous because today was my first day student teaching; my first time meeting some of the students, and my first real teacher duties. However, I could not control my excitement. This is because I realized that I was able to be a part of a 'FIRST time moment' for many of my FFA members.

First time … Attending Mid-Winter Convention

There is a sense of purpose each student feels while attending Mid-Winter Convention. Being surrounded by thousands of FFA members can make students realize they are not alone, and that they can create a strong impact in agriculture with many others. In addition, students are able to witness accomplishments of hundreds of members that either received their Freshman Jacket or Keystone Degree to encourage them to work hard to succeed in agriculture. My chapter and I had the opportunity to cheer on 6 Freshman Jacket recipients, and 3 Keystone Degree recipients.

First time…. Zipping up a Blue Corduroy Jacket

There is a sense of pride each student has zipping up a Blue Corduroy Jacket for the first time.As I observed the six recipients from Derry FFA, I could see the anticipation in their eyes, and their eagerness to put them on. Those jackets will mean something different to each of them as they continue their FFA journey, but they all have the opportunity to use their time in FFA to grow and achieve great things.

First time …. Wearing the Keystone Degree Charm

There is a sense of achievement each student has wearing the Keystone Degree Charm for the first time. The three recipients from Derry FFA have become equip with many skills and knowledge that is needed to succeed in the agricultural industry. They put in a lot of time and effort to achieve the requirements for this degree throughout their years of involvement in FFA. After the ceremony they were met with hugs and congratulations, that created a smiles and tears for many of them. I am excited to see how I can help them prepare for their future in agriculture. 

Being able to see the students’ feelings of pride, achievement and purpose is exciting. It defiantly calmed my first day nerves, and leaves me even more excited to see what my students will achieve. This is just the beginning of my student teaching journey. I realized their are many FIRST to come. However, it all starts with that FIRST moment to lead to many amazing outcomes.  I am excited to see the outcomes throughout my student teaching experience. 

Inspiration and Motivation at National FFA Convention #ICanWeWill17

This year was different from my previous experiences at convention. Not only was the word ‘Advisor’ printed under my name on my badge, but my role and perspective on the purpose of convention changed.

Although, I enjoyed the many events that I participated in at the National FFA Convention, I believed it was not actions that set this convention a part from others; instead, it was the thoughtful and inspiring words shared by speakers, advisors, students and many others in attendance.

I truly felt inspired and motivated throughout my three days spent at convention. Whether I had access to my phone or a piece of paper and pen, I recorded thoughts and words that I found enlightening and encouraging.

Below I have highlighted moments with quotes that stand out the most from each day I spent at convention.

Wednesday –

At the first session of convention my students and I were inspired and motivated for the next few days ahead. Not only were we introduced to the conventions theme (check it out here), but we were also introduced and tasked to think about FFA in the next 10 years by National FFA Advisor – Dr. Brown.

Dr. Brown shared, "We must change to reflect and represent modern day 21st century agriculture to create a new era in FFA." As a future agriculture educator, I could not agree more! I have this urge of wanting a classroom and students to be forward thinkers and career driven. The words shared by Dr. Brown motivated me to ensure that I create this in my future classroom. To rise to the new era of agriculture, agriculture educators are tasked to fill our classrooms with beakers, speakers and job seekers.

At the end, Dr. Brown made us pledge by chanting, ‘I can. We will.’ Overall, it was a pledge as an individual and group to put in efforts to contribute and advance agriculture education.

Thursday-

I was able to be a self-advocate for growth by tasking myself to engage in three teacher workshops Thursday afternoon. The workshops I was able to engage in were the following:

• Living to Serve Grant 101
• Ticket of Success
• Streamlining Chapter Promotion Through Social Media

If I could choose a favorite workshop for that day, I would have chosen the Ticket of Success. This workshop shared how teaching is challenging, but can be rewarding and exciting. The workshop presenters reminded us that we were not in this alone. They encouraged us to build relationships with students, administration and the local community to build support for the program and you. Unfortunately I did not record who stated this quote, but one of the presenters shared, "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." 

All of the workshops were very helpful and help me develop knowledge and skills that I plan to use in my future classroom.

Friday –

To end my last evening at convention, I put on my favorite pair of jeans and boots to enjoy my favorite sport --- RODEO.

The evening was full of cheering with excitement as cowboys showed their skill of riding broncos or bulls for 8 seconds. In addition, there were motivational moments. As weird as it sounds, I felt inspired and motived while attending the rodeo. As the excitement ended for the night, the announcer shared something that his father reminded him often. His father would say, “The wealthiest man is one who gives to others and provides to society’s needs.” He proceeded to thank the agricultural educators in the audience for giving time and effort to the individuals that wear the blue corduroy jackets. Although it is not the highest paying profession, he hopes we realize that we are preparing students to contribute and join in efforts of preserving and advancing the agriculture industry. If that contribution does not make you feel wealthy, he did not know what would. Essentially, his story and thoughtful words inspired me. To top it off, after he finished my one student turned to me and said, “Thank you Ms. Wasson for choosing to become an agriculture teacher, you are going to do amazing things. I know it.” I was speechless, but now I am thankful. I am thankful for awesome students that make me feel wealthy, but mostly the chance to continue to experience this wealth in my future.

Overall, the thoughtful and encouraging words made me realize that I can create an impact on my students and they will create an impact in the agricultural industry.

Be sure to connect and keep an eye out on social media to catch more quotes that I recorded throughout convention.