NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
October 2014
The Way I See It Jack Winterrowd, Cedar Park
“FFA members, why are we here?” How many times have we heard that catchy phrase? But I wonder, how much thought do we really give to the question? With a month of school under our belts, we find ourselves in the midst of the first busy season of an ag teacher’s year. There are show animals to buy, ag mechanics projects to start, LDE teams to train and for some of us, too many more things to even think about getting done. October is a busy month for everyone in this profession. The newness of September has worn off and for some people, the students may have begun to get under our skin a little. In my Principles of Agriculture class, that is certainly the case. I really enjoy teaching this class, for many students it is their first exposure to the huge, wide world of agriculture and the FFA. They start off like sponges ready to soak things up and you can talk to them about what the future holds for them in the FFA and they will get so excited about the big things yet to come. They are like blank slates in the FFA and they are looking to us to lead and guide them into a future filled with bright dreams. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ― Harriet Tubman Greenhand Camps have been held and many have their first FFA t-shirts to proudly wear. For some,
they are immersed in training their first animal to lead or drive. Every day is a new experience for them. In the classroom, they are learning about the foundations of the FFA and parliamentary procedure. Some are saying the FFA Creed in class and wondering why on earth they have to memorize and speak those words that countless others have spoken. For some, those words will sink into their spirit and for the first time, they will get it. It’s almost like a light switch being turned on. We see it all the time. It’s what makes our job so vital and yet, so humbling. It’s all about when that child who never speaks up in class finishes the last phrase in paragraph five and the words “my part in that inspiring task” sink home into their heart and mind and you give him or her a high five or fist bump or a firm handshake and a knowing smile. There is a connection forged in those moments that for some will last four quick years. It is the connection of an ag teacher with a student. A young life is changed and an older one is positively reinforced. But how does it get that way? Why do we make the connections that so many other educators do not? What is it about what we do as ag teachers that changes the lives of our students in such profound and memorable ways? I would argue that it is a matter of trust. “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” ― Stephen R. Covey
Trust is something that is sometimes hard to build and requires a strong foundation. One slight misstep can bring the whole house down in a heartbeat. Our students trust us to teach them the things they need to know. They trust us to care about them and to care about their futures and their dreams. They trust us to act in their best interests and on their behalf. In return, they begin to connect with us on levels that many other educators can’t even fathom and some are profoundly jealous of that connection. Think about that Greenhand creed speaker or that Greenhand chapter conducting team officer. Why do they take that huge step into an arena that is unknown and frightening to them? It is because of the trust we build together.
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