Ms. Brown's Program Philosophy
I’ve always been the kind of student who looked forward to the first day of school. I loved learning, whether it was in the classroom or out on the farm. I thrived on projects that made me think, and I was never afraid to roll up my sleeves and get a little dirty to understand something better. Unfortunately, not all students share that same excitement. Some walk into school each day feeling like it’s just something to get through. That realization has stuck with me. I often ask myself, why is that? Is it the way we teach? The environment? Or is it that they’ve never had the chance to find what truly motivates them?
While I may never have all the answers, I do know this: I want to be the teacher who changes that experience for students. I want to create a space where students feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow, not just academically, but as people. I want to lead a program that sparks curiosity, encourages leadership, and opens doors for all students, whether they plan to pursue a career in agriculture or not.
Growing up on a small farm near Tilden, Nebraska, shaped who I am. Farm life didn’t come with days off or shortcuts, it came with early mornings, muddy boots, and figuring things out as you go. That lifestyle taught me how to problem-solve, push through when things get tough, and take pride in a job well done. Those lessons have stayed with me, and they’ll follow me into my classroom. I plan to bring that same work ethic into my ag program, using it as the foundation for everything I do, planning lessons, building student relationships, and creating a program that students are proud to be part of.
For me, purposeful planning is key. I want to build a program that’s balanced across the three-circle model: classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and FFA. Each area supports the others, and I believe that when they’re all working together, students get a well-rounded, meaningful experience. To do that well, I know I need to keep learning too. I value professional development and always look forward to bringing new ideas back to my classroom, whether it’s a fresh lab activity, a new approach to FFA leadership, or tools to better support students' SAE projects.
Inside the classroom, I strive to make instruction engaging and real. If students can see how something connects to the world around them, they’re more likely to care, and more likely to remember it. I want to adapt to whatever facilities, technology, or resources my school has and use them to their full potential. Whether students are learning about animal systems, agribusiness, or food science, they’ll be doing more than just taking notes. They’ll be participating, thinking critically, and experiencing agriculture hands-on.
Assessment plays a big role in my teaching. I want to know if students are actually learning, and if they aren’t, I want to figure out how to support them better. Not every student learns the same way, so I use a variety of assessments like projects, record books, presentations, and occasional quizzes. I’ll use that data to adjust my instruction and make sure every student has the chance to succeed. I also want to intentionally connect class content with SAE and FFA. Students will have dedicated time to work on their SAE projects, whether that’s record-keeping, planning, or goal-setting, and I’ll tie FFA events into classroom lessons whenever possible.
A major goal of my program is to prepare students for life after high school. Whether they enter the workforce, pursue higher education, or go back to their family operation, they’ll need strong career skills. I’ll emphasize things like communication, work ethic, respect, and accountability. These are values I learned on the farm and ones I know employers are looking for. Each student will complete a foundational SAE, giving them a real opportunity to explore careers, build financial literacy, and develop employability skills. I also plan to work with community members and local businesses to provide opportunities like job shadows, site visits, guest speakers, and more.
When it comes to FFA, I don’t just see it as contests and conventions. I see it as one of the most powerful tools we have to build student confidence and leadership. I will encourage every student to get involved in FFA and help them find where they fit, whether that’s through speaking events, chapter leadership, community service, band and choir event at State and National FFA or career development events. I want students to know that FFA can be a place for everyone.
Even though not every student I teach will go into agriculture, every one of them will be a consumer. That’s why I believe it’s critical they leave my class with a solid understanding of where their food comes from and how agriculture affects their lives. Agriculture is changing fast, and we need informed citizens who can think critically, ask questions, and make thoughtful decisions. My goal is for students to leave my classroom feeling capable, confident, and ready to advocate for agriculture in whatever path they take.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to grow up immersed in agriculture. It taught me more than just how to care for animals or fix a fence. It taught me resilience, patience, problem-solving, and responsibility. Not all students grow up with those lessons, but through agricultural education, they can experience them in new ways.
To me, ag ed is more than a career. It’s a calling. It gives me the chance to teach, lead, mentor, and inspire. It gives me a way to give back to the industry that raised me. People sometimes ask, “Why ag ed?” My answer is always the same: “Because it changes lives.” And I want to be a part of that change, every single day.