Agricultural Careers Agricultural Education Teacher

1. Agricultural Careers Agricultural Education Teacher By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. What does an Ag Education Teacher do? • Teach in-school classes • Attend faculty meetings • Attend teacher conferences • Supervise students' SAEs • Visit students at their places of employment • Chaperone students' during competitions, conferences, etc • Serve as advisor to the FFA chapter • Manage and maintain the school agriculture education laboratories • Teach adult classes in the community

3. What kind of qualities and skills are needed? The ideal candidate for employment as an Agricultural Education Teacher is one who works well with young people, parents, school administrators, and community members in informing them about the agricultural industry. A major skill necessary is the ability to manage students in classroom and laboratory situations. The work environment of an agriculture teacher is usually very busy with many projects going at once. Organization, responsibility, and patience are virtues that will be beneficial in succeeding in this career. An agriculture teacher must be willing to work long hours, make commitments, and travel. Agriculture teachers have many out-of-school responsibilities but must follow school policy and work well with other teachers and school supervisors.

4. Where can I work and what is my salary? Work: Most Ag education teachers work in schools systems. However, they can take their classrooms outside to school farms and laboratories. Many may work in post-secondary institutions. Work can also take them to students homes, farms or places of employment. Salary: Full time agriculture teachers' salaries range from $26,500-$40,435 for starting teachers. The salaries vary according to state and longevity in the position as well as the highest college degree earned (Masters, Doctorate, etc.). Those with a Doctorate will top $65,000 in most states. The salary may be higher if an extended contract for after school and summer work is available.

5. What are the education requirements? Completion of a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education at an accredited college or university is required. A Masters Degree is becoming increasingly important for many institutions. If you plan to become an agriculture teacher you should start preparing in high school. Your high school education should include a variety of agriculture education courses as well as science and mathematics such as biology, chemistry, life sciences, algebra, and geometry. Your college courses should include core subjects and a variety of agriculture subjects such as horticulture, forestry, entomology, animal science, agronomy, dairy science, poultry science, economics, or engineering technology.

6. How can I become an Ag Education Teacher? • To Learn More and Prepare for this Career • Search the Internet for information about Agricultural Education. • Visit and talk with the agriculture teachers in your area. • Attend visitation day at a college or university with a major in Agricultural Education. • Take agriculture courses in high school. • Participate in FFA, especially in the leadership events and conventions. • Other Careers You Might Want to Explore • Association Representative • Cooperative Extension Agent • Crop Consultant • Extension Specialist

7. Professional Organizations National Association of Agricultural Education 300 Garrigus BuildingUniversity of KentuckyLexington, KY 40546-0215 Interview: http://www.naae.org/ National FFA Organization The National FFA Center Career Information Requests P.O. Box 68690 Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960 Internet: http://www.ffa.org USDA Internet: http://www.usda.gov Agricultural Careers Internet: http://www.agcareers.com Agriculture Online Internet: http://www.agriculture.com