Agricultural Careers

1
Agricultural Careers Agricultural Education
Teacher
By Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess Georgia
Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia
Department of Education June 2005
START
2
What does an Ag Education Teacher do?

• Teach in-school classes
• Attend faculty meetings
• Attend teacher conferences
• Supervise students' SAEs
• Visit students at their places of employment
• Chaperone students' during competitions,
  conferences, etc
• Serve as advisor to the FFA chapter
• Manage and maintain the school agriculture
  education laboratories
• Teach adult classes in the community

3
What kind of qualities and skills are needed?
The ideal candidate for employment as an
Agricultural Education Teacher is one who works
well with young people, parents, school
administrators, and community members in
informing them about the agricultural industry. A
major skill necessary is the ability to manage
students in classroom and laboratory situations.
The work environment of an agriculture teacher is
usually very busy with many projects going at
once. Organization, responsibility, and patience
are virtues that will be beneficial in succeeding
in this career. An agriculture teacher must be
willing to work long hours, make commitments, and
travel. Agriculture teachers have many
out-of-school responsibilities but must follow
school policy and work well with other teachers
and school supervisors.
4
Where can I work and what is my salary?
Work Most Ag education teachers work in schools
systems. However, they can take their classrooms
outside to school farms and laboratories. Many
may work in post-secondary institutions. Work can
also take them to students homes, farms or places
of employment.
Salary Full time agriculture teachers' salaries
range from 26,500-40,435 for starting teachers.
The salaries vary according to state and
longevity in the position as well as the highest
college degree earned (Masters, Doctorate, etc.).
Those with a Doctorate will top 65,000 in most
states. The salary may be higher if an extended
contract for after school and summer work is
available.
5
What are the education requirements?
Completion of a four-year Bachelor's Degree in
Agricultural Education at an accredited college
or university is required. A Masters Degree is
becoming increasingly important for many
institutions. If you plan to become an
agriculture teacher you should start preparing in
high school. Your high school education should
include a variety of agriculture education
courses as well as science and mathematics such
as biology, chemistry, life sciences, algebra,
and geometry. Your college courses should
include core subjects and a variety of
agriculture subjects such as horticulture,
forestry, entomology, animal science, agronomy,
dairy science, poultry science, economics, or
engineering technology.
6
How can I become an Ag Education Teacher?

• To Learn More and Prepare for this Career
• Search the Internet for information about
  Agricultural Education.
• Visit and talk with the agriculture teachers in
  your area.
• Attend visitation day at a college or university
  with a major in Agricultural Education.
• Take agriculture courses in high school.
• Participate in FFA, especially in the leadership
  events and conventions.
• Other Careers You Might Want to Explore
• Association Representative
• Cooperative Extension Agent
• Crop Consultant
• Extension Specialist

7
Professional Organizations
National Association of Agricultural
Education 300 Garrigus BuildingUniversity of
KentuckyLexington, KY 40546-0215 Interview
http//www.naae.org/
National FFA Organization The National FFA
Center Career Information Requests P.O. Box
68690 Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960 Internet
http//www.ffa.org
USDA Internet http//www.usda.gov Agricultural
Careers Internet http//www.agcareers.com Agric
ulture Online Internet http//www.agriculture.co
m