The Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership in conjunction with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Oklahoma FFA Foundation and the Oklahoma Alumni Association provided the inaugural Future Agricultural Education Teachers Academy on the campus of Oklahoma State University June 18-22.

The purpose of the academy was to encourage and promote the teaching of high school agricultural education as a positive and promising college major and career choice. The Future Agricultural Education Teacher Academy and Scholarship Program is aimed at

FFA members who:
1. Have a sincere desire to pursue a career as a high school Agricultural Education teacher and FFA advisor.

2. Have a sincere desire and the academic credentials to be admitted as an incoming freshman at Oklahoma State University, and to major in Agricultural Education

3. Have a sincere desire to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of an agricultural education teacher to meet the needs of a diverse society.

The academy format focused on different aspects of the profession throughout the week beginning with a look at the purpose of agricultural education in secondary schools. The rich history of Oklahoma State University was highlighted through tours and interactive presentations; exposing students to opportunities available at OSU was an important goal of the academy. Team AGED and the family of professionals that cooperate to deliver outstanding programs across the state will be facilitated through a tour of selected agricultural education programs. The art of teaching was highlighted through teacher demonstrations and diagnosis of the teaching process. All of these activities, combined with one on one interaction with practicing teachers provided an in-depth look at the career path and preparation required to become an agricultural educator.

Academy participants will be eligible for a $1000.00 scholarship upon their acceptance and enrollment at OSU, their major must be agricultural education for the scholarship to be awarded.

Jacye Fye, Karie Smith, J.C. Bunch and David Turner served as teacher facilitators. Their charge was to share their passion and experiences as teachers with these future agricultural educators.

The academy is a result of the collaboration between the Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership Department and our partners. This effort is designed to recruit highly motivated students to the agricultural education profession and to highlight the opportunities for a career in Agricultural Education.