LEAD DAWG
Like father, like daughter
CONTRIBUTED
For teachers, a new school year means time being what Thomason refers to as meeting parents, decorating the “the young Franklin County FFA classroom, writing lesson plans and members,” Thomason saw a spark in his planning field trips. When Addie middle child that was undeniable. He Thomason Tucker (BSA – Agricultural knew she would be an agricultural Education, ’17) stepped into her role as the education teacher one day. new agricultural “As they grew up, education teacher in Addie began to show Addie Thomason Wilcox County, she interest in being an Tucker follows in knew the drill. She was agricultural instructor. trained by the best — She began working in her father Owen her father, Owen the ag department and Thomason’s footsteps was selected as a Thomason (BSA – Agricultural national finalist in the to teach agriculture Education, ’85; MEd FFA agricultural – Agricultural Education, ’89). education proficiency award,” Thomason From the time he graduated from UGA, said. “I knew then that she would become Thomason was the one up in front of the an outstanding teacher.” classroom, teaching agricultural education For Tucker, she was fortunate to have in Treutlen County and then Franklin her father as her teacher and coach as County, where he met his wife and built a well. That multifaceted relationship led family. He taught in Franklin County for her to a greater interest in agricultural 31 years. education. The life of an agricultural education “When I joined FFA in middle school, I teacher proved hectic, so Thomason’s was able to see him as a coach,” Tucker three children would often join him and said. “I’d seen the impact he had on other his students on field trips or to FFA students and, as my agriculture teacher, events. While all three girls enjoyed their he made an impact on me as well. That
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inspired me to be an ag teacher.” Now in her third year of teaching, Tucker often calls on her father for advice. In her role, Tucker teaches sixth through 12th grade students and advises a collaborative FFA chapter in Wilcox County. Her father’s extensive career and advice often comes in handy. “I call my dad all the time,” Tucker said. “I ask him about how to help students memorize a speech or even how to fix the thermostat in my greenhouse. Having him helps a lot, especially in my first year.” Although he retired from teaching agricultural education in Franklin County in 2016, Thomason finds himself learning new tricks of the trade from his daughter. Shortly after retiring, Thomason was recruited by a colleague to start an agriculture program at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia. He now works there as an assistant professor. “I am glad that she can come to me and talk about her job, challenges and new ideas,” Thomason said. “Addie is very innovative, so most of the time I am asking her for advice.” The father-daughter pair takes great pride in being alumni of UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. When Tucker chose to attend UGA, her father knew she was in good hands. “The experiences we both gained while at UGA, along with the network of people we met, continue to support our daily work,” Thomason said. “That was one of the reasons we encouraged her to attend the University of Georgia.” For Tucker, UGA holds a special place in her heart as her alma mater and as another experience she can share with her father — and with her brother, Malone Thomason (BSA – Horticulture, ’16); and her husband, Bryan Tucker (BSA – Agribusiness, ’18). “It’s special to me that we both took classes in Four Towers and both have UGA degrees,” said Tucker of her father. “It’s special that I could follow in his footsteps.” • Sadie Lackey