Conferences and Field Trips GALORE... Student Teaching ATHENS Style

Wow, hard to believe that yet another week is done and over!

Sunday through Tuesday consisted of the State Legislative Leadership Conference. This busy, hectic, rewarding, fun, and community service filled event was incredible! It was so interesting experiencing this conference from the "other side" as an FFA Advisor! You can read more about this experiences here --> #SLLC2016

Here are some highlights from the trip in pictures


We completed community service by helping with some "Spring Cleaning" at the New Kingstown Fire Company!



We visited the Capital and were able to meet and greet with some of our legislators!

We rounded off the trip with a visit to the Royer Farm in Lancaster!

 

Then it was back to the real world on Wednesday back in the classroom! I was excited to integrate some fresh TMR from my family's farm into the animal feed/nutrition unit I am teaching in Introduction to Agriculture. We were also able to go out into the Shop for both Electrical Wiring and Plumbing! WOHOOO! I also realized how much work it is to come back to the classroom after having a sub for two days! Luckily, I only had a few notes from the sub, and they were mostly minor things!

Students starting their Plumbing Square Project!

Wednesday was our Strawberry delivery, so I was excited to see this process since I have been able to help with the fundraiser since day one. The delivery was about an hour late, but it all worked out because the students were then able to help us unload the strawberries... and let me tell you, strawberries for DAYS!

Strawberry Delivery!

After a close inspection, we determined they looked DELICIOUS!

Hard to work and concentrate with all these fresh strawberries in the shop!

Then Thursday was actually ANOTHER field trip for me! I was very lucky to be able to go to the Cargill Plant in Wyalusing, PA. This plant harvests beef cattle and culled dairy cows. I went on the trip with Dr. Banic, who teaches Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, and Anatomy and Physiology. It was different working with another teacher, and being in charge of some students that I don't even have in class. However, I enjoyed the trip and learned a lot during our tour. I am happy to say that none of the students passed out or got sick, and I would call that a success at a meat processing facility. We were unable to take any pictures at the facility, but I was very impressed with the tour, and also how our students conducted themselves throughout the entire day!

Beef... It's what's for dinner!

 Then Friday consisted of just trying to catch up from such a long, dynamic, and irregular week. I was also able to experience my first fire drill with the students!

BIG TAKEAWAYS:
- Leaving the classroom for trips is tough... I need to leave very clear instructions for the STUDENTS and SUB! Mr. Steinfelt had an awesome suggestion to write out everything that was due to me on Wednesday on the board. That way, on Weds when we got back, if students did not have their work completed it was very simple. The sub gave you instructions, your handout has the due date on it, AND it was written right on the board when items were due. Sweet and Simple!

- Strawberries are delicious

- Strawberries are delicate, need to make sure everyone picks them up the night they arrive

- Don't take students to Wendy's after visiting a Cargill Plant (for the record, this was NOT my idea!)

Thanks for reading, it was a GREAT week!
Best

- Sb