Last year, Becky Streff was awarded the 2021 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award. Read more about her experience using agriculture as the vehicle to teach core subjects in the classroom and consider applying to be Teacher of the Year today!
How and when did you first learn about Ag in the Classroom?
I learned about Ag in the Classroom a few years ago from a colleague, who is retired now but continues to help, provide guidance, and mentor me. She introduced me to Ag Pen Pals about three years ago and a few years ago showed me the lesson plans and last year I just really took off with some of the lesson plans and Ag in the Classroom. Upon reflection of my teaching practices, it was easy to implement Ag in the Classroom.
What is your favorite AITC program/resource/event and why?
I really enjoy the Lesson Plan Activities that are available. Students are interested and find it amazing how much of our products are related to agriculture after we did the Agricultural Products lesson. I then found Agricultural Transportation great for learning about agriculture and using map skills. They enjoyed the Classroom Visit lessons Brooke provided with High Tech Farming and Competitive Farming. We chatted about Competitive Farming for many days afterward, I think many students didn't realize all the "behind the scenes" that went into selling crops and how much of a risk it can be.
Describe an agriculture-based project you have led in your classroom.
This year I look forward to adding milk lessons into our curriculum because we do a persuasive writing lesson about chocolate milk vs. white milk, so the National Ag in the Classroom lessons I found about dairy cows and milk will be great to incorporate.
What advice would you give other teachers to use agriculture in their classrooms?
Ag in the Classroom works hard to make adding the lessons in a lesson plan easy to do because the lessons are easy to read, connect to state standards, and are teacher and student friendly. There are many lessons that I can use that incorporate math, reading, writing, and science standards - so they are great for cross-curricular connections. They are highly engaging for students and students remember them and refer to them throughout the year.
