#FFAWeek #FFAProud... Student Teaching ATHENS Style

Through this student teaching experience at Athens I have started to feel more and more like an Ag Science Teacher. However, this week was the first week I really felt like an FFA Advisor! #FFAWeek #FFAProud #Ms.RoyerWhatAbout....

 

This week, I was FLOORED by my students. The SAE / FFA Class has been diligently planning for FFA week, and they exceeded my expectations. IT was incredible to see the pride and joy that the students had throughout the week. And, there were also some last minute changes, a lot of questions like Ms. Royer what about... or what if we? ... It was a fantastic week.

 

Monday: Ag Olympics, school wide activity

 Monday was a fantastic event to get the whole school excited for FFA Week.


Tuesday: Official Dress Day

We finished up our germination labs in Horticulture, and I was excited to hear that many students enjoyed the lab. Students were given the supplies and told to create their own germination lab. Initially the students were very verbal about not particularly enjoying this assignment, but in wrapping up the labs and discussing their results, the students were eager to share about their labs.

Tuesday: Official Dress Day... I LOVE this picture... what a good looking group!




Wednesday was Hat / Flannel / Overall Day... and Wednesday we started our Battery Lab



Batteries Make Cents Lab!

On Wednesday, we started our battery labs in Electrical Wiring! "Woah... Ms. Royer we have to create our own experiment!?" It was very rewarding to watch the different light-bulb moments. 

 Thursday started with a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast! It was really nice to work with the students for something as fun as making breakfast! I also was very excited to interact with some teachers who I haven't really talked with much.

Thursday: Teacher Appreciation Breakfast and Trivia Day... Eggs for daaaaayyyyyysssss

Plumbing Class taking a pre-quiz on tools and parts.

 This week, my plumbing class was really feeling some cabin fever, so we were all excited to go into the shop for some tool and part identification.

 

 Finally, Friday was the Petting Zoo and Kiss a Cow day! Let me tell you ... it was hard keeping the students in line when they knew that the animals were right next door in the shop!



Friday was Petting Zoo and Kiss a Cow Day!



Pucker up people! Time for Kiss a Cow!

Finally, we rounded off the week at Tractor Supply advocating for the FFA and Agriculture Education. Mr. Steinfelt and I applied for the Grants for Growing through Tractor Supply Company, and are very excited about the possibility of building an animal science building outside next to our Greenhouses. Therefore, on Thursday and Friday after school, and Saturday throughout the day we went to the Tractor Supply store right by the school in Sayre. At the store we talked with customers, and encouraged people to support the grant program.



Tractor Supply: Athens applied for Grants for Growing

Students at Tractor Supply

Big Takeaways:

- In the future....Have everything ready BEFORE FFA week

- Don't give three classes exams in the same week

- Don't give three classes exams in the same week during FFA week!!!!

- Also, it's great to interact with students outside of class time. From cooking hashbrowns and eggs to spending time at Tractor Supply this weekend! I really enjoyed spending time with students in a more relaxed setting.


Thanks for reading!

-Sarabeth

 

 

Planning is Key: Student Teaching ATHENS STYLE

Last weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to chaperone 44 students from Athens at the Pennsylvania FFA Association ACES Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Steinfelt and I were extremely proud of our students and how they represented the Athens FFA Chapter name.

Some of my students printed some pictures from the conference and put them in a frame for me! This was a really sweet and thoughtful gesture that really made me feel like their FFA Advisor, I was even wearing my owl necklace that day!

We were also very excited that after this busy, fun-filled, and exciting weekend that we had Monday off for the holiday! What a nice treat to have a day of rest in between the conference and the work-week. I was very excited to be able to spend that extra day planning and preparing for the week.

However, Monday night the skies darkened, the clouds appeared and snow and ice descended upon Athens Area School District. Tuesday morning started off with a text from Mr. Steinfelt saying we had a two hour delay! Wow, I thought, it's about time (not that I was counting or anything but I was pretty sure that I was the only student teacher at this point who had not had a two hour delay or school day canceled at this point!) This then escalated to a day off of school.

Mr. Steinfelt and the Athens Area SD website both confirmed the news that school was canceled!

Wow, the freedom! A second day off of school... what to do? Lesson plan of course! I was also able to work on several AEE 495 assignments and plan for the future.

However, this sure made school on Wednesday (which really felt like a Monday) pretty difficult. The students were very wound up after having such a long break. The routine was changed and that is certainly difficult. I was excited to be able to take the time in each class on Wednesday and apologize to the students for not telling them before hand that I would be missing class on Friday. Many of the students had heard about my dad and wanted more information. This was a valuable lesson for me in transparency and honesty for communication with my students. It was also a really incredible lesson on compassion from my students who all solemnly accepted my apology and asked more questions about my family and how my weekend was etc. I was floored by their sincerity.

Schedule for FFA Week, Athens FFA knows what's what!

Wednesday involved a lot of changing plans to ensure that everything was in order for National FFA Week next week and upcoming exams! Thursday was a rush to ensure that students turned in their assignments to me and that I had sub plans ready for Mr. Steinfelt. Yet again I was going to be missing a Friday class. Mr. Steinfelt and I were also able to sit down and discuss some of my electrical wiring unit (which I am apprehensive about) and then went to pick up supplies for the plumbing unit!

Supplies for DAYS!

Friday was a CELEBRATION for the #psuaged16 cohort. We were able to engage in professional development and learn more about resumes, cover letters, and education interviews. This experience was really valuable because we were able to come together as a cohort and share experiences, troubles, advice, etc. with each other. We were also truly blessed to have incredibly dynamic professionals come help us. From first year teachers, to school superintendents, to PSU Career Services personnel, we had a lot of valuable help!

BIG TAKE-AWAYS
- Snow days are fun, but make things complicated!
- Germination Labs in horticulture class take three times as long as you think they should
- Our cohort is able to network and expand our professional acquaintances through leadership and professional development workshops
- Lettuce from the Greenhouse does taste better!

#AgTeacherBag

Well, that was the long and short of my long yet short week!
Thanks for reading

-Sarabeth

#FFAces16 Conference!

This past weekend was certainly not the first time that I went to the PA FFA Association's ACES Conference, but it was definitely different being on the other side. While I have experienced this conference as a student and also as a State Officer, it was my first time being a Chaperone/Advisor... how fun!

Well since pictures are worth a thousand words... here is the #FFAces16 Conference... ATHENS style!

 

Here are all 44 students from Athens! Mr. Steinfelt and I were very excited that so many students were interested in attending, and they all made us very proud! Way to go Athens FFA!

 

The students attended workshops on leadership and communication, etc. The students were excited to learn more and interact with the State Officers and other leaders. 

 

Students also had the chance to meet other students from ALL OVER PENNSYLVANIA! How neat right! Some of the perks of going to a State FFA Conference are meeting tons of new friends. 

Two of my fellow student teachers and I were able to help out in the evening after the dance with Courtesy Corps! We checked rooms to make sure that students were in the proper room and had their lights out at curfew etc. We definitely reminded a couple of rooms that lights out also meant quiet time!

 

Sunday morning we were all able to show off our new pink FFA shirts for the breakfast! We also did some community service by writing letters to THON, which is the world's largest student run philanthropy. Hosted by students at Penn State, we raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer and to support their families. It was great seeing all of the students working together for a bigger cause!

 

Then, sadly, like all good things, the #FFAces16 conference came to an end! It was time to load up and head North. We all had a great time, but I think were also ready to head home to rest up before the upcoming week!

 

It was incredibly rewarding to attend the #FFAces16 conference with Athens as a chaperone and student teacher. I was reminded again about how much agriculture education and the FFA has impacted my life. Watching the students meet new friends, dance the night away, and then work together to do community service activities made me extremely proud!

 

Thanks for reading! #FFAProud #StudentSuccess @PA_FFA #PSUAgEd16

 

Best

Sarabeth 

Bounce Back Factor... Not just for Between Classes

WOW, what a week... Last weekend as I was planning for this week I knew that it would be a really busy week (what's new right!?) #LifeOfAnAgTeacher!

I like to have a quote of the week... My students definitely notice when
 I change it and it's a really nice conversation piece as well!

This was my first week with a full load. Also on Tuesday alone, my university supervisor was coming to visit, some students were presenting at a School Board meeting about the FFA, we had a meeting about a possible project to build a STEM building behind the school, and then we had a #psuaged16 cohort meeting online.

Planning for DAYS! This week marked my first week with a full schedule.. watch out
Ms. Royer, the bell is going to ring soon... GET READY!

Whew, it was a lot, so Monday night I was at school, making sure that I had everything ready not only for the next day (my super busy Tuesday!) but also ready for Wednesday. So, I was in the copier room making copies of some Electrical Wiring handouts when my sister called me with some news, some news that rocked my world. My dad wasn't feeling well and my older sister had driven him to the ER.

I was shocked, confused, scared, and just wanted to be home. As I was trying to get my act together to ask some clarifying questions, there was so much to think about. Was he alright, how was my family, was it another heart attack? Then other questions, who is milking tonight, do we have enough help for the farm, did anyone tell the employees? And, do I need to go home, do I need to write sub-plans? As I heard more from my family that night I also needed to contact my cooperating teacher Mr. Steinfelt, and my cooperating teacher Dr. Rice to let them know.

So proud of our students for sharing the ATHENS FFA STORY!

The students gave a presentation to the School Board about FFA Activities,
National FFA Convention, and more events coming up!

It was a rough week, for many reasons. It wasn't the full load, the Ag Mech 1 classes I started that I was nervous about, or the fact that we had so much going on (especially Tuesday). It was difficult being away from home. This week required bounce back factor for my own personal life, and not just in between classes.

What I learned this week:
- That I have SO much support from peers, friends, teachers
- That Mr. Steinfelt is really one of the most patient and understanding people that I know!
- That family comes first
- That my family is HUGE... genetic, Ag Ed, FFA Family.... etc.
- That I am stronger than I thought I was!

I am so grateful to Dr. Rice who was so helpful during her visit on Tuesday. I enjoyed getting feedback and learning ways to become a better educator. I am also extremely thankful to Mr. Steinfelt who not only cheered me on all week through this mess (and a head cold) and who also covered the classes on Friday so that I could take a personal day to go home. On Friday, I was able to go home and help out with chores on the farm to relieve some stress on my sister and our employees. Papa Royer is recovering at home, and all of the cows and chickens are doing well. I am extremely blessed, and feel so lucky to have such an incredible and varied support system all around me.

Thanks to everyone for supporting me this week,

Much Love
Sarabeth



SAE Visit #1: Milk it for all it's Worth!

On Saturday I was able to visit a student's SAE project directly after we had our Dairy Judging Practice! Mr. Steinfelt and I decided to use our time wisely and "Milk it for all it was worth!"

This is Kelsey with one of her favorite cows... she calls her cow-dog because she is so friendly!

So I visited with a sophomore Kelsey who has a paid placement SAE at a local dairy farm. This year Kelsey is taking Animal Science and therefore has Dr. Banic in class and not Mr. Steinfelt and I. I have been able to interact with her every Wednesday during tutorial during Dairy Judging Practice at school and wanted to learn more about her project.

A view of the clean and orderly tie-stall.

Her boss, Scott, has a close relationship with Mr. Steinfelt and had approached him for some help with showing cows last summer. Kelsey was one of the students who responded and had a lot of fun while also learning more about cows at the Fair. In September, she approached Scott to see if he needed any help on the farm. After filling out a job application, Kelsey was very excited to start working at the farm.



This is the farm sign for Snowcrest Farm.

Snowcrest Farm has won the title of "Dairy of Distinction" and proudly boasts registered Holsteins, with a sprinkling of Red and White Holsteins and Jersey cows. They milk about 113 cows in a tie stall barn. Kelsey primarily milks cows. Her duties include setting up the milking parlor, getting the milkers and dippers prepared, and starting the milker system. After washing the milkers, she generally pushes feed and scrapes manure. Other jobs that Kelsey sometimes does is helping Scott with odds and ends chores, feeding calves, and cleaning the barn. Kelsey really enjoys her job and is looking forward to learning more about the dairy industry.

Kelsey has enjoyed learning more about cows in her SAE.

When asked about any future goals or aspirations, she wants to learn more about breeding cows. Scott agrees that breeding is a good goal for Kelsey! She has a very strong SAE project that I would certainly rate as very good. With closer inspection of her records, there are certainly areas where Kelsey can improve. As a sophomore, she has ample time to correct her AET, and continue adding to the project. She is excited about getting the Chapter degree and has a goal to reach the Keystone degree by the time she is a senior!


Kelsey uses AET to maintain her records. Mr. Steinfelt told her to make sure that she is entering her records at LEAST once a week. While Mr. Steinfelt and I provide about 20 minutes a week for students to log in and update, Kelsey is not able to do that in her Animal Science Class. It is therefore very important that she consistently records her work. Kelsey works every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and every other weekend. Recommendations for Kelsey were to ensure that she revises her SAE plan in AET to include all of her responsibilities. Additionally, she needs to update her goals in the SAE Project Manager.

Scotts' daughter came and helped with giving the tour of the barns.

Mr. Steinfelt incorporates SAE as a part of student's grade, and he checks students AET records to make sure that student's are entering grades by printing the records every two weeks. Students are able to come for help with AET records during tutorial period or after school. Mr. Steinfelt also ensures that younger students have more time in class to ask questions and/or get help with the AET record system.

Scotts' daughter really liked taking pictures! And who doesn't want a picture with an adorable baby calf!?

My Cooperating Center is KINDA A BIG DEAL!! Week Four Student Teaching ATHENS Style

WOW, hard to believe that it's already week four!

So no big deal... but Athens was featured as the Program of the Month #StudentSuccess #SoProud #Blue&Gold You can read more about it at http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2016/02/program-of-month-athens-studentsuccess.html I feel very blessed to be at such an innovative, student centered, and successful program. So congrats Athens, so glad about this special recognition!

What happens at school when school is over?

We started off the week by setting everything up for the strawberry sale, and ordering more supplies for the Greenhouse. As the week continued, Mr. Steinfelt and I got some supplies for the tables in the Greenhouse, met with the Vice Principal to discuss differentiated instruction, and delved into the Tractor Supply Company grant. We also narrowed down the registration for ACES, looked up information regarding SLLC, and discussed IEPs... it was a good week with so much learning... on my part at least! (But I certainly hope my students as well!)



Strawberry Sale is up and running!

What happens INSIDE the classroom from bell to bell?

After a particularly difficult day on Monday in two of my classes... I decided I needed to do a better job with my "Bounce-Back!" Luckily, I have my prep-period right after the first problem period, and the second group is my last period of the day, but as I reflected on Monday I realized it would have been really hard for me to transition to another period after that. While one group was extremely sassy, and I found it hard to understand how to respond to their sassagression (yes, I coined a new term! ha ha sassy and borderline agggresive), the other issues stemmed from simply not wanting to complete an assignment. I don't know, but it just got to me... it was not my best day... and I have decided that that's ok BECAUSE I very consciously did not let it affect me on Tuesday. I made an effort to just shake it off and get back into the groove.

So my next step is to figure out how to "shake it off" in the three minutes between classes.... Still working on that! #BounceBackFactor

We got a brand new shipment of FFA Jackets just in time for ACES next weekend!

Next week I am excited to pick up my last two classes and officially have a full schedule! Ag Mechanics I class is going to be very interesting and I am definitely going to be learning a lot alongside my students. Looking forward to growing in that area!

This week while observing students in their last week of welding, I was able to work with some who were done with all of their assignments and we fixed the potting tables for the Horticulture class!

We removed the old wood and reinforced the structure in order to add a new table top.

 

This week I definitely felt more comfortable with my students and feel that I am truly cultivating the classroom culture that I desire (fun, energetic, but still serious and learning a lot!) I also am extremely excited to be helping Mr. Steinfelt with this Tractor SupplyCompany grant, and am hopeful that the animal / biology / STEM lab project idea will be a success!

Opportunities for growth certainly are plentiful! My goals for this upcoming week are to better manage my time! I need to make sure that I am starting the class off at an appropriate speed, yet allowing time at the end of class for a wrap up! I also want to make sure that I am being consistent with each class that I am teaching (ex. sharing the same announcements about upcoming events, and requiring the same sign out procedure, etc.)

It was another WONDERFUL week in Athens, and I am INCREDIBLY proud of the Athens Ag Program. I hope that these next 11 weeks I can continue to add to the Athens legacy ! #StudentSuccess!

Best
-Sarabeth