How did I spend the summer of 2023?

 Hi everyone! This week, I started my senior year at Penn State studying Agricultural and Extension Education. I've spent a lot of time this week thinking about how I can prepare myself to be the best teacher possible for my future students. As I thought about this, I kept going back to how impactful my busy summer was, the positive impact that my experience had on me, and how each experience made me feel more prepared to be an Agriculture teacher in my future.  

FFA Opportunities

Pennsylvania State FFA Convention

It was bittersweet going to the Pennsylvania State FFA Convention without my blue jacket, but also rewarding to know that I am finally approaching my goal of becoming an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. While attending state convention, I was fortunate enough to assist with the Conduct of Chapter Meetings Career Development Event (CDE). My duties with this CDE included creating contest materials, grading participants written exams, and judging the demonstration portion of the contest. 

During State Convention, I also had the opportunity to spend time with students from Biglerville High School and the Apple City FFA Chapter.  This was a great opportunity to get to know some of the students that I will be working with throughout my time student teaching. They were able to share some great insight with me regarding common FFA activities their chapter participate in and how their community helps support their chapter. 

Maryland State FFA Convention

Maryland State FFA Convention was a great opportunity to see how other State FFA Associations handle their state conventions. It was very interesting to see the different expectations and traditions that held at their convention.

While attending Maryland's State Convention, I had the opportunity to assist with the Conduct of Chapter Meetings CDE, the Creed Speaking LDE, and lead a workshop entitled "Think Globally to Support Others Locally". 

Overall, both opportunities that I had to work with State FFA Associations were very insightful as to what is expected of an FFA advisor during State Convention, how we can best prepare our students for these experience, and how to effectively lead large groups of students. 

Pennsylvania Association of Agriculture Educators Summer Conference

This summer I also had the opportunity to attend the Summer Conference for the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE). During the conference, I had the opportunity to attend professional development workshops, network with Pennsylvania Agricultural Educators, and learn more about the opportunities and benefits that PAAE can offer educators.  

My cohort members and I at the PAAE banquet.

#psuaged24 Senior Bootcamp

To wrap up my summer, I attended senior bootcamp for #psuaged24. During bootcamp, my cohort and I were given a crash course of everything that will be expected of us during our senior year, met with our cooperating teacher to discuss unit and lesson plan contracts, and participating in various activities to help us grow closer to the other members of our cohort. 

My cohort, our advisors, and our cooperating teachers at senior bootcamp.

Overall, it was a very busy, but VERY rewarding summer. This was probably the last time I will have this many opportunities to grow professionally without the responsibility of being an agricultural educator and I am so glad that I took advantage of every opportunity offered to me. I can confidently say that all of these opportunities had prepared me to take on my senior year to the best of my ability. Here's to a great senior year!