This isn't goodbye

I have been pushing off writing this blog because this symbolizes the end of 15 weeks, the end of 15 weeks of hard work, tears, stress, joy, excitement, challenges, adventures and most of all 15 weeks of doing what I love.

I still can't believe I am about to leave the wonderful safety net of Northwestern High School and embark on a summer full of unknowns. Its this crazy thing waking up and realizing that college is over and the real world is speeding towards you. Its a beautiful thing don't get me wrong, its just terrifying yet at the same time this is what I have invested four years of my life towards.

  “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” – Dr. Seuss   

My last week with Northwestern was nothing short of amazing. Except for that 3 inches of snow...Thanks Erie, I'll miss you too.

I am very fortunate to have my path laid out already, I know where I will be working, I know what summer has in store for me, and I know that I am entering a wonderful community. But something is still missing, I don't feel ready to grow up just yet. How can I already be in charge of developing young minds when my own mind hasn't reached its full potential? There are so many questions swirling around in my head that I'm not sure how I'll make it with out going mad...but I gotta try because the path ahead of me is going to be long, its going to be hard, its going to be steep but its going to be worth it.

Unlike most of my fellow cohort I am going to be just down the road from the school that made me a teacher. I am lucky to have created such a strong tie to the community and area that I feel comfortable stepping into a brand new program confident to take on the world.

So Albion FFA this isn't good bye, its simply I'll see you later!

75 Years of Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve

75 years of Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve

2014 / 2015 Albion FFA Officer Team

 

The Albion FFA chapter is gearing up to celebrate their 75^th year anniversary this May and we would like to extend an invitation to you! Please join us as we celebrate 75 years of student achievement! The awards ceremony will start promptly on Saturday May 9^th at 2 pm in the Northwestern High School Auditorium. The awards portion of our celebration will be free of charge, if you would like to join us for a delicious meal after the celebration, tickets can be purchased at the door for 9$ or for 6$ in advanced through the Northwestern High School officer, or by contacting the FFA Advisor, Mr. Honeycutt. We look forward to seeing you there as we take a walk through 75 years of Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve!

Original Albion FFA Charter

 How has agriculture changed over the last 75 years?

With a population well over 7 billion and that number to grow to 9 billion by 2050 agriculture has made numerous changes to help combat our growing world’s demand for food, fiber, and natural resources. Using less land than our grandparents to grow more food than our parents the United States has embraced the changes in agriculture empowering our future generations to take on the ever growing challenge of feeding the 9, 9 billion that is. The most drastic change in agriculture over the year is the use of technology. Farmers today are now able to produce more food with fewer resources such as land, fuel, and water with the aid of technologies such as precision planting and GPS systems. Embracing the ever-changing world of agriculture is how our nation remains number one in producing food, fiber, and natural resources. As our way of farming changes, our organizations that support farming continue to change as well. The FFA is a great example of how agriculture has driven not only our economy but our education as well.

“The organization has grown to be more than cows, sows and plows; the modern FFA is about beakers, speakers and job seekers.”- Joe Martin, Indiana FFA

 

Albion FFA Members from 1947

How has FFA changed over the last 75 years?

In 1940 when the Albion FFA chapter was first chartered FFA stood for Future Farmers of American, women were not permitted to join FFA, and agriculture classes stood in place to prepare students to return to the farm with innovative ways of thinking. Today FFA simply means FFA; we are no longer the Future Farmers of America because we are so much more now. We are no longer preparing students to go back to the farm; we are preparing students to; start their own business, pursue jobs in labs, go into policymaking, and help solve the problems of feeding, clothing, and producing natural resources for our world. FFA is no longer exclusively for farmers, FFA is for everyone now, this organization has changed and developed over the last 75 years and will continue to change to help meet the needs of the community, country, and world. We still Learn by doing, Earn to Live and Live to Serve those around us just as the original Albion FFA members did 75 years ago.

Week 12: A week to recharge

Only 3 days in the classroom, sounds like an easy week right? Eh for the most part, however just because the students see the end in sight doesn't mean I had a chance to let go and take a breath...or does it??

I had a blast this week, both in and out of the classroom. Not only did I get to head home and spend time with friends and family I got to learn A LOT about maple syrup.

Monday about 75 elementary students came through our shop to learn a little about maple syrup.






I am finally starting to grasp this whole teaching things! It's amazing when you hit the point where you feel confident to enter a classroom and make a difference.