NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
March 2018
Why Do We Do It? Michael Meadows, Simms
While it seems there is no down time for ag teachers once the school year kicks off, the spring tends to be crazy busy for most. Before the major show circuit winds down, CDE season has already begun and many, like me, feel stretched beyond our limits. It seems as if before one major task is done, two more have begun and there just aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week to get everything done. We find ourselves stressing to maintain rigorous and relevant content in our classes; find time to practice and train numerous CDE teams; help students with various degree, proficiency, and scholarship applications; supervise SAEs; plan for upcoming banquets; be a good husband, wife, mother, or father; and the list goes on. Why do we do it? Teaching ag science and serving as an FFA advisor can be a very satisfying and rewarding career. My dad taught ag science for 38 years. Growing up watching him interact with his students and hearing what an impact he made in many of their lives are big reasons why I chose this profession. When I feel
burned out, I ask myself “why am I doing this?” There are many reasons we do what we do, but I always go back to the things that you can’t put a value on. Even though we must pay the bills, it is not about the paycheck. It is about the impact we make and the impact this program makes in the lives of our students. It is about that shy freshman that comes into your classroom on their first day and four years later leaves a confident leader. It is about the student with a rough home life who learns to respect you and looks at you as a role model. It is about that student who had only dreamed of going to college but now with an FFA scholarship is enrolled in their dream school. It is about these and more that we have an influence on. I know this is the time of the year that an ag teacher can get overwhelmed, and when many may start thinking about another profession. Let me encourage you to consider the big picture and the impact you can have on your students. They need you and our profession needs you. Can you leave a better and more powerful legacy
than to positively impact a young person’s life? As Aaron Alejandro says, “take a thirty-thousand-foot view” of what you do. Will it make the spring slow down any? Probably not, but it may make it more meaningful, rewarding, and satisfying. I challenge you to take care of yourself during this busy time. Take a weekend to rest and recharge, spend some time to with those you love, and try your best to find some balance between work and home. Finding time may be challenging but it will be well spent. Until next month, be safe and good luck to your teams this spring!