News you can use...

NAAE Convention FAST registration - Eligible preservice teachers may submit their NAAE Convention FAST registration information via the online form. FAST participants must also formally register for NAAE Convention at the NAAE student member rate through ACTE.

National FFA Officer Candidate Session - every year the NAAE NTAC hosts a learning session for NOC, or anyone who cares to join, who want to learn more about agriculture teacher recruitment and retention in preparation for their potential year of office. The 2021 session will be...Oct 14, 2021 04:00-4:45 PM Central Time
Register in advance for this session. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Watch your email - The 2021 STAR end of the year report details, 2022 STAR enrollment information and 2022 planning meeting sign-up link will be sent to the existing STAR chair and co-chair on file the week of October 11.

Quarterly Communication - If you have not already done so now is a good time to follow-up with the individuals you have connected with at Teach Ag events and continue to encourage them to Teach Ag. To make the process quick and easy, send all the recruit contacts an HTML email or embedded email with this fresh off the press inspirational video link and direct them to your state website or state Teach Ag contact.

2022 National Teach Ag Day - Thursday, September 15. Information related to the Teach Ag Day celebration host kits will be available in March.

Teach Ag Ambassadors - Contact Andrea Fristoe if you want to schedule a Teach Ag Ambassador for your virtual or in person Teach Ag recruitment event. The Teach Ag ambassadors go through special training that makes them great resources for your recruitment events.

Tagged to Teach Ag Kits - Kit order forms can be completed and submitted online. All kit orders must be purchased using a credit card and paid in advance of shipment. Please allow at least 3 weeks for processing and shipping. Please contact Sarah Warren if you have questions or need assistance.
Tagged to Teach Ag Teacher Retention - Early Career Support 

Early career support programs are important to the success and retention of early career teachers. Early career programs may be delivered in a formal way through...
  • Early Career summer workshop
  • Early Career Bootcamp
  • Early Career Institute
  • Early Career monthly series
  • Early Career meeting
  • Early Career retreat
  • Early Career quarterly meetings in person, virtual, some of both.
These formal sessions have specific outcomes and they are coordinated, planned and consistent.
Tips for making formal sessions successful...
  • Create a consistent calendar schedule that follows similar dates every year.
  • Personally invite all early career teachers to the event, preferably by phone call.
  • Send a formal letter to all early career teacher administrators explaining the value of the session to both the early career teacher and the school district.
  • Tailor the schedule to meet the needs of the early career teacher group - this may be achieved through informal conversations or formal polling. If the program continues throughout the year do periodic check-ins and adjust the schedule as needed. Update the program annually based on participant feedback.
  • Provide programming tracks to meet the needs of all early career teachers such as those who are alternatively licensed and/or tracks for 1st year, 2nd year, etc.
  • Have state leadership participate so the early career teachers can get to know who they will be working with.
  • Engage current teachers, especially those in years 3-5, in the planning and delivery of the sessions.
  • Selected teachers should be supportive, good listeners, have diverse backgrounds and experiences and be positive role models of program balance. Make sure they convey a positive image of teaching and one that is attainable and accessible by all teachers.
Example topics covered during early career sessions:
  • Classroom organization tips
  • Curriculum Resources
  • Behavior management
  • Creating an inclusive and accessible program
  • Building a positive relationship with administration.
  • Guest speaker and field trip success.
  • Role of the FFA Advisor
  • Parent contact (positive and behavior modification)
  • Special Education accommodations and meeting success
  • Managing a lab, classroom and SAE.
  • Traveling with students
  • Professional Development opportunities
  • Creating your professional portfolio.

While formal early career programs are the most effective total approach, there are informal early career support measures that can be enacted and have positive impacts.
  • Encouraging emails to early career teachers from state staff and teacher leaders.
  • Induction events for early career teachers at teacher gatherings.
  • Assigning greeters to help guide early career teachers at meetings and answer questions.
  • Adopt a teacher welcome buckets or bags for all new teachers.
  • Encourage early career teachers to read the NAAE New Teacher News monthly e-newsletter.
  • Create a calendar of events with suggestions for early career teachers.
  • Example: Oct 1 roster due to National FFA (find roster information and tutorials at ...)

STAR States that offer a formal Early Career Teacher Program (find state contacts for these events in the Teach Ag Accessible Tools shared folder in the state strategies excel spreadsheet)
· Alabama
· California
· Colorado
· Florida
· Indiana
· Kentucky
· Louisiana
· Michigan
· North Carolina 
· Ohio
· Oregon
· Pennsylvania
· South Carolina 
· South Dakota 
· Tennessee
· Virginia
. Washington
. Wisconsin
State Strategy Spotlights

Kansas has a task force of 7 preservice teachers representing the state degree granting institutions and community colleges who provide workshops and facilitation throughout the state to recruit students to Teach Ag. 

New Kentucky agriculture teachers will receive a Work/Life wellness book, Teachers Guide to Self Care by Sara Frost, as part of the New Teacher program this year.

Louisiana State University preservice students engage in a year long experience leading up to student teaching that includes attending state convention, LATA, FFA camp, new teacher workshop and more. The program allows the preservice students to build connections with each other and current teachers and be more prepared for their student teaching and first year. 
Agricultural Education For All - Inclusive Actions
Just like many organizations and companies use a safety moment at the beginning of every meeting or session to draw attention to safety, inclusion moments are a way to set our intention toward creating an environment of inclusivity. Every month this section will feature actions you can take to build an inclusive, welcoming and safe environment for all. Some of the inclusion actions listed are meant to be demonstrated in your current setting and some are meant to be suggestions for making classrooms, chapters and programs more inclusive. View previous Best Practice editions to review additional actions.

  • Offer the opportunity for everyone to state their preferred gender pronouns on their first day of class informational card or when submitting an online form. A preferred gender pronoun (or PGP) is the pronoun that a person chooses to use for themself. For example: If Sara’s preferred pronouns are she, her, and hers, you could say “Sara gave her report because she was next on the agenda.” Don’t force it, though. Especially in the case of students, being required to share their preferred pronoun can force a closeted person to either out themselves or misgender themselves.
  • Get in the habit of taking stock of your meetings. Who was present? Who was absent? Does this group reflect the demographic makeup of our school or community? Are some perspectives not heard from while others are provided frequently? If there are inconsistencies, identify some ways to bring in all voices.
  • Commit to learning, growing and adapting as an ongoing process. When marginalized people take time to point out shortcomings, that is an act of generosity. Respond to their feedback in the spirit of growth and learning by thanking that person and doing your best to incorporate what they have offered.
  • Check this calendar of celebrations, and identify how you can recognize it and celebrate it.
  • A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. It is a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. If you would like to give a land acknowledgement during your presentation, check-out the online land map.


Celebrating All in October
September 15 - October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month
October is Disability Awareness Month
October is LGBTQ History Month
October is Global Diversity Awareness Month
October 10 - World Mental Health Day
October 11 - National Coming Out Day
October 11 - National Indigenous Peoples Day
October 19 - Mawlid Al-Nabi
October 20 - Sikh Holy Day
October 31 - All Hallow's Eve/Reformation Day
Before you go...
National Association of Agricultural Educators 
2525 Harrodsburg Road
Suite #200
Lexington, KY 40504
859.967.2892

The National Teach Ag Campaign is powered by the National Association of Agricultural Educators. For more information, visit the Teach Ag website. Funding for the National Teach Ag Campaign is provided by the CHS Foundation, Corteva Agriscience™, Growth Energy, and BASF.
You are receiving this because you are someone of influence in ensuring a quality and diverse supply of agriculture teachers who will cultivate the next generation of leaders, problem solvers, entrepreneurs and agriculturalists.