Let The Search Begin

         My cooperating center search is in full swing and it has been anything but easy. There are so many fantastic agriculture programs out there that I have not been super sure where to look. I have been seeking guidance from my friends, professors, and other teachers, and they have been so helpful for me. Since I went to school without an Ag Ed program, I'm not yet sure if that made my search a little harder, or a little easier.

What am I Looking For?

1. Closely Follows the 3 Circle Model

    During my search for a cooperating center, I really had to think about what I needed to grow not only as an educator, but also as a learner and a leader. Finding a cooperating center that closely follows the 3 circle model is crucial in my journey to become an ag teacher. Lacking school-based ag ed (SBAE) has set me a little behind since I don't yet know the ropes and am excited to learn from a more experienced teacher.

The 3 circle model of ag education 

2. Strong FFA Program

     Being able to student teach in a school with a strong FFA program is at the top of my wishlist; FFA is in important aspect of SBAE that I need to be familiar with. I think that FFA is extremely important in the growth development of student leaders. Completing my student teaching somewhere without a strong FFA program will not only negatively impact myself, but also my future students.

3. Working Closely with the FFA Advisor

    Working closely with my cooperating center's FFA advisor would really help me in terms of becoming the best that I could be. If I become the best that I can be, I can better encourage my students to be the best that they can be. Working closely with an FFA advisor would definitely help me in the long run as I may be an advisor once I graduate. 

4. High Community Involvement In the Program and Agriculture

    The cooperating center that I would love to work with would ideally be an active part of its community. From plant sales to volunteerism, I want to be able to partake in many community events. Not only does activism in the community get the program noticed, but it helps to create humble and helpful young adults. I think being active in the community is an important aspect of growth that the students should participate in.

    I also would love for a cooperating center's location to be rich in agriculture. Crops, livestock, or environmental science- all would be very beneficial to the students' learning. Those local farms and other agriculturists will play a key part in the students' academic journeys. 

5. Single-Teacher Program

    I would ideally like a cooperating center who has a single-teacher program. I believe that observing a single-teacher program would be more beneficial to me so that I can see how one person handles different program pressures. A single-teacher program will put me on track for supervising my own program. I believe it will be easier for me to learn the ropes of a single-teacher program and transition to a multi-teacher program than vice versa. 

Where Do I Go From Here?

    My cooperating center search is far from over, but it feels less stressful when I refer back to the hopes I have for my future cooperating center. I can continue to think of cooperating center qualities that will best help me develop into a strong leader and learner- and I can keep on searching.


Thanks again for checking in and following my journey! 

Much love,

Krista Mathias







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