SAE Success - Brain Hendrickson

This morning Mr. Brian Hendrickson from Catocin High School joined the AEE 311 class and discussed SAE proficiency awards. Watch the video below to learn about the 33 years of experience Mr. Hendrickson had to share with the class:

Contact Information:  

Brian Hendrickson

Catoctin High School

14745 Sabillasville Road

Thurmont, MD 21788

School phone number: 240236-8117 

Cell phone number 240-357-1544

Mr. Hendrickson said,"Students are always welcome to come down and visit any time in our program!" (Pink time idea?) Please reach out with questions because he will be more then willing to answer.

Recognition

Awards, Recognition, Degrees, Motivation

 

Today we had Ms. Carole Fay visit us here at Penn State! She has taught for 30 years and is the second year SAE specialist for Pennsylvania.

 

Points from class:

• Looking through a students AET and keystone degree.
• Questions answered!
• Look to build continuity in your program.
• How will you incorporate SAE into your classes? What's appropriate? Every other Friday SAE Day?
• Proficiency awards, size isn't what matters, it's the time and effort you put in.
• Use pictures of your project
• Show growth.
• Bring a camera on SAE visits!

 

 

Resources:

• Here is an awesome article from the Human Potential Group about how to shift from being extrinsically motivated to intrinsically.
• AET

Let's teach SAE!

In class yesterday the AEE 311 students had the opportunity to, individually or within pairs, work with 9th grade high school students. The students visited from Juniata High School and Mifflin County High Schools and were on Penn State campus from 8am to 1pm.

The students started their day learning from the AEE 311 students about SAE. Each student came in with an interest or idea of something they wanted to do their SAE on. The AEE 311 students educated them on SAEs, helped each student layout an SAE plan, and answered any questions that remained about SAE or AET.

AEE 311 students working with the high school students

After class the students attended the annual College of Agricultural Sciences Career Fair. They were guided around career fair by AEE 311 students and were exposed to the potential careers in agriculture. To get to and from the career fair they rode the famous Penn State Trolley. The students then got a tour of Penn State's campus and Ag Hill from Janae Herr, 2015 Teach Ag! Avenger. Lastly they were fed lunch while Nate Repetz, 2015 Teach Ag! Avenger talked to the students about teaching agriculture as a career option. 

The day was an overall success and we look forward to partnering with these high schools in the future. 

Rewind...to October 6th

Inclusion

Objectives of the day:

1. Discuss need for “being inclusive” in youth programs
2. Define potential barriers to involvement in FFA/SAE
3. Identify teacher strategies and resources for inclusion

Dr. Foster had the students put on sunglasses that had vaseline on the front of the lens. He then randomly asked students to read off the screen the well known story of "Who Moved the Cheese?" Through this learning experience some students gave up right away, some tried to move their glasses around to read, and others (sitting up front) focussed in and were able to read. The reactions/thoughts to the activity were:

- I gave up right away and didn't try

- I was annoyed

- I did not like how Dr. Foster kept saying "this is easy"

- I was able to see and it was easy... just not AS easy

We transitioned into watching this video which structured the rest of the class discussion:

Readers: What are your thoughts? How do you use inclusion in your classrooms or youth programs?

AEE 311 Students: Can you share with our readers what your thoughts and reactions were?

Class Reminders:

- Log into AET and post. The minimum is ONE entry per week

- Start planning for your next Pink Time

- Weekly Web Wonders are due every Friday at 5pm

Inclusion 10/8/15

Inclusion

Some barriers of agriculture education:

• "Aggie" label
• After school programs/meetings - availability of students.
• Parents in some ways.
• "Have to be a farmer" mentality
• Resources
• Funding
• Community Support

Now, how can you combat those barriers

as an agriculture educator?

Resources:

• Social Inclusion: https://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/241/24.html
• Teach Ag Day Chat http://communities.naae.org/community/mpa/teachag/blog/2013/10/03/diversity-and-inclusion-dialogue
• Interesting post about inclusion of FFA: http://communities.naae.org/message/8081#8081

POA & National Chapter Award Program - Ms. Jenna Genson

Jenna Genson: Education Specialist - Agriscience Fair/National Chapter

AEE 311 was so excited to talk with Jenna Genson on this rainy PSU morning. She has left us so much great knowledge on POA's and the National Chapter Award Program through he National FFA where she works.

If you would like to review the awesome PowerPoint that Ms. Genson showed in class please click on the link!

The Video Recording can be found here:
https://meeting.psu.edu/p5rd6528nl3/




Contact Information:
Twitter: @JGenson
Email: jgenson@ffa.org
Phone: 317-802-4402


Reminders for class:

• Weekly Web Wonders
• Look @ the class blog! So many great resources.
• http://psuaee311.blogspot.com/

 

Presenting POA: Ms. Stephanie Jolliff

As we engage and start digging into Program Of Activities, Ms. Stephanie Jolliff from Ridgemont High School in Ohio, sharesdher experience and best practices in AEE 311 today. There is more information to share then I can type and keep up with, but I captured 10 "Knowledge Nuggets" from her presentation:

1. Career prepare the students - set students up to be industry ready

2. You cannot criticize if you do not have a solution to the problem

3. Create a collaborative environment not competitive. Have students make suggestions for improvements and work together to make change happen

4. Huge advocate for incorporating business strategies into the foundation of learning and practice  Example: BRIDGE - Begin, Reflect, Identify, Design, Go, Evaluate

5. Not just service activities... make it s purposeful learning experience. Example: RAK - Random Acts fo Kindness

6. Let students create what they want to do, be a facilitator who asks questions

7. Listen to students to hear their needs

8. When inheriting a program, be respectful of the past traditions and history, get to know the community, and go to events!

9. Outcome bases - purposefully planning and thinking!

10. "Understand your god given gifts" - Everyone is a different person and has different strengths!

Reminders:
Chapter Officer Development Plan due next Tuesday, September 29 - Project Coach: Katie
Weekly Wonders are due each Friday at 5pm
Weekly dissertations are available on Mondays, from 12-1pm

Twitter Handle: @RidgemontFFA
Facebook: Ridgemont FFA Page
Pinterest: RidgemontFFA
Email: jolliff@ridgemont.k12.oh.us
Call/Text: 740-225-3955


Link to the meeting:
https://meeting.psu.edu/p1dmjyjx4k9/

New Farmers of America - Dr. Connie Baggett

Dr. Connie Baggett

Associate Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education

Member of the New Farmers of America (NFA)

-----------

Dr. Baggett shared his history and experience of the New Farmers of America. He started by sharing how below the Mason Dixon line was "separate but never equal". During high school he was apart of the merge between NFA and FFA. The NFA was a National organization of Negro farm boys studying vocational agriculture in the public school throughout the United States. All "cool kids" in high school wore their blue jackets and was apart of the NFA. Three fun facts from the day were:

1.  The advisor part of opening ceremonies were adopted from the NFA

2.  Dr. Baggett was apart of the NFA quartet and he shared his talents in class today

3. Active Membership Degrees and Privileges were called:

         Farm Hand
         Improved Farmer
         Modern Farmer
         Superior Farmer

Reminders:

1. Keep up with your AET journal entries each week

2. Read and start your Chapter Officer Development Plans, if you have not already

3. Don't forget about your weekly web wonders due every Friday by 5pm

Pennsylvania State Officers Come to Penn State

Today we had part of the Pennsylvania FFA officer team conduct a workshop during class on the essential parts of an officer team. 

2015-2016 Officer Team 

Mr. Mike Brammer

Pennsylvania Secretary Executive Secretary

Lily Guthrie

PA FFA Preisdent

Tyler Watkins

PA FFA Vice Preisdent

Luke Kerstetter

PA FFA Sentinel 

The state officers started off with Jeopardy which quizzed the class on FFA and chapter officer knowledge. This activity was followed by identifying positive attributes pertaining to FFA of each person and then writing them on their name cards that were previously created. 

So what are these 10 essential elements of an effective officer team?

1. Knowledge of the organization on the part of every member

2. A challenging program of activities

3. Diversity of membership

4. A workable constitution and bylaws

5. All members share responsibilities

6. Capable officers and leaders

7. Proper equipment and records

8. Well-planned, regularly-held local meetings

9. Adequate financing

10. School & Community Support

To conclude class, we opened the floor up to the class to ask the State Officers and Mr. Brammer any questions. 

A few reminders: 

- Log into AET and start inputting data and information

- Set-up interview with Dr. Foster and fill out student inventory (Assignment #1)

- Start looking ahead to Assignment #2 - Officer Development Plan

Pink Time Ideas

The idea of Pink Time is a a new addition to the AEE course this year. Students are allotted 5 class periods to go out and learn about youth development in a way of their choosing! During our second class the students shared ideas about their ideas of pink time. 

In deciding on what activity to engage in, remember, "How do we tie these activities to youth development?" here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:

1. Local fair
Ex: Asking questions or observing a coordinator or auctioneer

2. Volunteering for youth development

3. Prepare for Agricultural Career Day

4. Learning a new language

Ex: Go online and download the Spanish FFA manual and learn the creed in Spanish

5. Volunteer with youth football

Ex: Interview, develop a practice, etc.

6. Observe a class

7. Visit a different FFA program each pink time

8. Sustainable food initiative (New initiative on campus)

9. Work on youth internship

10. Visit PSU research centers and farms

11. Get involved in a boy scout troop

12. LifeLink PSU (http://lifelinkpsu.weebly.com/)

13. Serve at an animal shelter

Each of these ideas were shared out in class today, but we are not limited to just these 13! My advice is to set a goal of what you want to accomplish before the first pink time, develop a plan, contact who you need to, and after each pink time reflect on your activity.

Teaching Assistant Introduction - Katie Andrews

Name: Katie Andrews

Hometown: Lancaster, PA

Academic Year: Super senior

Student Teaching Year: Spring 2016

Cooperating Center: Big Spring High School

Clubs/Organizations/Involvement: Teach Ag! Society, Collegiate FFA, Athletic Director's Leadership Institute, Penn State Athletics, Lion Letters

Favorite PSU Memory: Winning the Big Ten Tournament Championship on our home field my freshmen year

Favorite PSU Class: AGBM 338

Fun Fact: I went to two different high schools

Favorite Snack: Pretzels

When did I take AEE 311? Fall 2013

Favorite AEE 311 Assignment? Officer Selection Plan

Why TA AEE 311? This course provides information and introduction to key components utilized in all youth development. I enjoyed applying what I learned in class with the addition of my own flare to my assignments to create document I will use in a classroom. I am looking forward to assisting each student in creating their own documents to utilize as teachers as well as refresh my knowledge on the content taught in this course.

Advice for AEE 311: 1) Read the syllabus during the first week 2) Ask as many questions as needed to understand an assignment or information presented 3) This advice was given to me... put effort and time into each plan you create because you will use them in a classroom

Want to know more about me?

Twitter: klandrews_24

Blog: http://kickinwithkatie.blogspot.com/

Contact me:

kla5199@psu.edu

717-344-9727

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!