SAE is one of the most unique educational tools at our
disposal as agriscience educators. SAEs have long standing impact on the lives
of students. SAEs are not optional.
Story #14 - Texas
Tim and his family lived just outside town in
a semi-rural area. Like so many young men his age his main interest seem to
revolve around getting a drivers license and owning a pick-up truck. There
were times when Tim struggled to meet the minimum requirements which we had set
for our program. He made it clear that if and when he ever graduated from high
school he had no desire or intention to continue his formal education.
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers announced that
they were planning to construct a dam and create a new lake in an area just
east of where Tim and his family were living at the time. I remember
reading an announcement in class one day which offering interested individuals
the opportunity to cut firewood in the area which would soon be
underwater. A couple of days later Tim came and asked me how much it
would cost him to purchase a chain saw. After a lot of safety coaching
and a conversation with his parents Tim did get a chain saw and some
helpers. Together they spent the next two years cutting firewood from the
soon to be lake bed and selling it to suburban homeowners throughout the
area. During his senior year in high school the lake started filling and
the opportunity to cut and sell firewood was drying up as the remaining trees
were going underwater. This just meant that Tim and his hired crew,
mostly other high school ag students, had to change their business plan.
Soon Tim was operating a tree service.
When he graduated from high school Tim’s operation included two full service
crews and two trucks. I used Tim’s company many times to do work at my
own home. His business expanded into septic tank service as well.
By the time most of his high school classmates had earned a college degree Tim
was building, installing and servicing septic tanks throughout the region in
addition to his very successful tree service business.
Tim continues to own and operate his
business. He now has an entire fleet of septic service trucks with a sign
on the back of each that reads “Think of us when you flush”.
Submitting Teacher: Mr. Ron
Whitson
SAE Theorem #12
(Moore, 2003, The Agricultural Education Magazine)
FFA proficiency awards should be given at the local level.
The National FFA is willing to provide proficiency award medals and
certificates free of charge to local FFA Chapters. Therefore, the agriculture
teacher should be lavish in promoting quality SAE programs by giving these
awards at the local level for quality SAE programs. This ill further motivate
the students.
You are a developing positive agent of change who will one
day help students explore and grow into their unlimited potential through
agricultural education!
In your Corner,
Dr. Foster
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