Session 19- Proficiency Awards Continued!

Hey gang! Thanks for another great session! Check out responses below for what we are still itching to find out from yesterday's session!

What are we curious about?

• Other teachers' answers to our "wonders"
• Seriously Twitter is a GREAT platform for this. I tweeted out a picture from last class period and SEVEN people I have never met in the ag ed community engaged with it. Tweet out your questions with the hashtag #teachag, many ag teachers across the nation check this hashtag reguarly.
• SAEs for students with IEPs
• This is very much a case by case. I know it is frustrating at times to not have a "list" to choose from when it comes to this, but believe me when 
• How teachers can help find and allocate resources besides money? (ie land)
• This questions is also case by case. This is also why it is so important to make connections within the community, more often than not there will be people in the community who are willing to donate tracks of land, barn stalls, etc, but you have to make a partnership, not just take the resource and run.
• Specific SAEs for low resource students
• Dr. Foster may be able to chime in on this one and provide some more resources, but for now, tweet this questions out! I am sure there are lots of people out there willing to help.
• Is there a resource to connect w/ in state advisors and ag teachers?
• The PA Ag Teacher Directory. Just sign up for a username and password (Dr. Ewing approves this and you're in!)
• How many students on average keep up with their SAE's after high school?
• I do not know this statistic off the top of my head either, but all American Degree Recipients must continue to be active after high school in order to receive it. Additionally, there are many projects that turn into professions or full time businesses after graduation. Let me dig a little deeper on this to see if there is research out there.

What did we learn?

• SAE's and community involvement,
• Top 10 things we know about SAE
• To encourage other students in SAE, you need to get over stereotypes

What do we want to learn more about?

• Ways to facilitate successful SAEs with students that have IEPs
• Creating a guide for SAE help/visits
• We will share examples of past projects on Angel. And in effort to practice learning by doing, how convenient is it that you get to plan one?!
• Specific ways teachers manage SAE visits, grading, etc
• Again, we will share examples.

Thanks y'all! See you tomorrow!

Session 18- Proficiency Awards

Hello AEE 311! I hope each of you enjoyed the presentation from Mr. Kevin Keith yesterday morning. After attending National FFA Convention last week and seeing two students from my cooperating center up on the big stage for being chosen as a National Finalist in their proficiency area, I am honestly dumbfounded that more ag teacher don't utilize this method of student recognition! If you will have questions on this, PLEASE ask! Proficiencies are a great tool, especially for new teachers!

What are we curious about?

• Could we provide SAE type workshops when it comes to leadership workshops?
• Absolutely! Today actually Dr. Foster and I were discussing the concept of an SAE Fair! Students set up displays during a state-wide leadership conference and share what their SAE is and how they came about developing it! This gives us a chance to celebrate the students' success as well as educate other students on their possibilities.
• What keeps students involved in SAEs?
• The key is that an SAE needs to be student driven. One misconception that causes students to often lose interest is that SAE=Recordbook. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! SAE is the experience that a student is passionate about and is self driven. How to we find out student passion? Home visits or one on one conferences! If you start off by identifying student interests, involvement will be easy!
• Best practices for tying proficiencies in with the rest of the three circle model
• Proficiency awards can count for all three on their own! The SAE itself should stem from instruction and skills learned in the classroom (and expanded upon through the project). If a proficiency makes it to the National (and some state) levels, an interview process occurs as well, tying in the leadership/FFA component. Woohoo! Yay three-circles!
• How can we better understand students' interests?
• I noted this above, but SAE visits are CRUCIAL!!!! 
• What we will be looking for while reviewing SAE grants?
• Seriously, SAE grant review is really fun! The student responds to multiple open ended questions discussing what their SAE is, their goals and how the grant itself will assist in achieving those goals. Reviewing SAE grants IS NOT about how perfect the application, you will essentially be answering the questions "did the student really think about the use of this grant?"
• How to implement proficiency awards
• Given that SAE should be a required portion of your ag ed program, a great way to implement this would be to use a completed application as a form of assessment at the end of a class. Now that PA is at 100% AET access, if your student is keeping up with their records, this should be very simple.
• Various examples of proficiency awards
• Each of the award areas are listed here
• How to build resources for help with proficiency applications?
• Seriously, contact Kevin Keith! (kkeith@ffa.org). He has a wealth of knowledge and is always willing to help!
• How does one get the opportunity to work for the National FFA Association?
• Apply! Their job postings can be found here. They actually have multiple short term employment opportunities for college students as well! Check it out if it's something you might be interested in and let me know if you have questions! I had a blast year working for them as a 212 Conference Facilitator!

What did we learn?

• Proficiency awards
• How easy it is to fill out proficiency apps using AET
• Using proficiency awards as a class grade to help motivate students

What do we want to learn more about?

• How to turn student records into an app on AET
• See the last post from Stacia!
• Starting or working with an FFA Alumni
• I am not very well versed....but check on this link. The key part is IT IS NOT RUN BY THE ADVISOR!
• Lesson plans
• This will occur in AEE 412 :)
• Unique SAE Progams
• Check out some of the member spot lights in FFA New Horizons!
• The process of selecting award winners
• Here is the rubric that is used to judge proficiencies at the national level!

That's all folks! Thanks for a great session, see ya Thursday!

Session 17 & 18 - How do we plan, design, and supervise SAE Programs? (October 22nd & October 24th)

Responses to Ticket Out

What are your curious about?

• What was the coolest SAE ever?
• The one where students had fun learning about a life long career
• What are some new innovative SAEs students are doing?
• Here is a direct link that discusses that: https://www.ffa.org/FFAResources/Publications/MakingADifference/0810/Pages/Creative-and-Innovative-SAEs.aspx
• Is AET available in every state?
• Yes
• How do they grade AET as opposed to Excel Books?
• This is up to the discretion of the teacher, here is a link directly to TEACHER HELP on AET: http://learn.theaet.com/default.aspx?ID=7450. Neat stuff
• What is the difference between AET and other recordbook systems?
• We will have class sessions on November 12th and November 19th that help address this question.
• Why do some teachers not conduct SAE visits? Or use the total three circle model?
• Time? Philosophical Understanding? Administrative Support? All can be addressed through communication. 
• For the CDE Plan, should everyone in the group choose the same CDE?
• No
• SAE occurs out of school, so when do they start and end?
• Well, it depends on the student, but usually financial document are kept on a fiscal year basis so a Freshman could start their recordbook July 1st prior to the Freshman Year. The SAE program for the student runs continual from that point to completion.
• Could I use FFA Fridays in my class to do practice CDEs?
• Why not? It works better if the actual event is soon (ie same semester)

What did you learn?

1. I learned so much more about SAEs and wish that I had got to have one in school!
2. SAEs are not optional and communication is key to a developing a great Ag Ed Program.
3. There are lots of Resources for SAE Assignment #7 on Angel!
4. If you do not grade something, you run the risk of student's not valuing it. Grade SAE and FFA in all of your ag classes!
5. Currently, the AET "books" are not judged at the PA State FFA Recordbook Event.
6. SAE is NOT just a recordbook
7. There are philosophical concerns about labeling a class SAE.
8. SAEs should be GRADED.

What do you want to learn more about?

• Thinking back to my HS experience, I wonder how students would balance all of this with other clubs and sports. I wonder if students do not do "Ag Ed" just because they do not have enough time out of the classroom?
• We do all have to from time to time set priorities. I think our job as professional educators is to convey the benefits clearly enough that the opportunity is prioritized.
• Is there a way that we can log on to AET as the teacher so we can see/know how it works from that side?
• Yes, we will make it happen when Roger guests speakers on November 12th or the next session.
• I really want to learn more recruiting students into a program!
• Recruitment and Retention will be the topic of the day on December 3rd. But until then you could check this out: 
• A Guide from NFFA: https://www.ffa.org/Documents/learn/RIU_RetentionGuide.pdf
• Ag Ed Mag Issue on Branding: http://www.naae.org/links/agedmagazine/archive/Volume82/2009%2009-10%20--%20Sept%20Oct%202009.pdf
• How can an Ag Student be successful in Ag as well as other activities (i.e. sports) at the same time?
• Thousands upon Thousands do every year.
• How can do do home visits in  proactive way?
• Be very clear about why you are calling and what learning outcomes you hope to achieve with their time. Share why it BENEFITS them and their child. Who does not want their child to be successful? Here is a great link to resources to help: http://dass.missouri.edu/aged/resources/handbook/chap8.pdf
• Proficiency Awards!!
• Well, we have awesome speakers on November 5th, but make sure you are ready with the best questions by visiting: https://www.ffa.org/programs/awards/proficiency/Pages/default.aspx
• When do you you do Home Visits?
• There is a season for everything, and every grade level of student will have a different need. Examples: Freshmen need later summer before school starts so they feel comfortable, but Seniors really need Fall to discuss college/scholarship applications, while Sophomores benefit from Spring to begin planning for ACT/SAT exams. A time can be selected for after school or on weekends. Conduct 1 or 2 a day after school and a few on a Saturday morning. Select calendar days where they can be scheduled, not all days should be a choice.