UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The agricultural teacher education team from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was lauded by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) for exemplary performance and dedication to agricultural education.
The program was recognized as a top program nationwide and received the 2023 NAAE Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program award during the 2023 NAAE Convention in Phoenix earlier this month. This award is presented to postsecondary programs that emphasize lasting teaching methods, enhance student motivation and exemplify great experiential learning.
“While we don’t do our work as a teacher education program seeking recognition, it is gratifying to have one of our key stakeholder groups of secondary school-based agricultural educators recognize our efforts to advance the profession through high-quality professional development and the coaching of the next generation of educators,” said Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural and extension education.
During the 2022–23 academic year, the program was led by Foster; John Ewing, professor of agricultural and extension education and undergraduate program coordinator; Kevin Curry, associate professor of agricultural and extension education; Jonathan Seaman, program manager; Beth Mathie, program manager; and Mischelle Forgy, administrative support assistant.
Penn State has been preparing agricultural educators since 1915. The curriculum is designed to develop digitally literate, globally minded and positive agents of change for agricultural education.
The program has 60-80 preservice candidates enrolled annually, with an average student-teaching class of between eight and 15 students. It uses 10 core values to help direct every course, experience and assignment to provide students with a world-class learning experience.
“School-based agricultural education presents a powerful opportunity to improve the world,” Foster said. “By advancing applied science, technology, engineering and math through agriculture and youth leadership development, we can build stronger communities. The engine that drives these impactful programs is, without a doubt, a dedicated educator. We need more agriculture teachers in the world.”
To learn more about the program, contact teachag@psu.edu.