Vision Statement

As an agricultural education major from the Greater Houston Area my passion for
teaching agriculture sets me apart. Unlike the majority of my colleagues, I do not come from an
agricultural based background. My first experiences with agriculture did not occur until high
school, and that is what fuels my passion to educate students in the field of agriculture, so that
they will have the same learning opportunity. I am going to share with you my vision for
teaching and learning, essential qualities and skills a teacher must possess, and the essential
elements of the student-centered classroom.
National FFA Advisor, Dr. Larry Case, states that the current mission of agricultural
education [is] to prepare and support individuals for careers, build awareness and develop
leadership for the food, fiber, and natural resource systems accurately articulates the vision of the
future of agriculture, and I cannot wait to make this impact on my future students. Upon reading
Dr. Cases statement, I could not help but reflect on Mr. Tharman Shanmugartnams vision for
teaching and learning; to engage our students and prepare them for life, rather than to teach for
tests and examinations (Kagan, S., 2006). I want to prepare my students for real life
experiences, not for testing.
Open-mindedness is an essential quality a teacher should possess. It is important to
remember that not all of my students will have come from the same background as me. If a
student often turns in late assignments, it is not my duty to scold them. I have a responsibility as
an educator to find out why, let the student know that I am there for them, and work with their
schedule as much as possible to ensure their overall success.