Future Agriculture Education Teacher Academy Hosted Virtually 

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership hosted the 14th annual Future Agriculture Education Teacher Academy in June 2020. This program was designed to encourage and promote the teaching of high school agricultural education as a positive and promising college major and career choice.   

 

The program is for high school juniors or seniors with a desire to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a career in agricultural education. 15 Participants are usually 

selected through an application process. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic the selection process was forgone and the virtual experience was extended to all applicants. 

 

The academy is facilitated by four current agricultural education instructors and two current OSU agricultural education majors who serve as interns. Each day has its own theme, which includes: teaching a lesson, OSU experiences, Oklahoma agricultural education programs, and Oklahoma agriculture.  

 

“The structure of the academy is great,” said Emily Sewell, FAETA facilitators. “But the sweet spot is the relationships formed between the participants, interns, and facilitators.” 

 

This year, FAETA facilitators worked with OSU agricultural education faculty to develop a virtual experience for participants. Planning for the virtual event included developing Canvas courses through the outreach portal and prerecording video lessons.  

 

The last day of the program is usually recapped with a banquet. However, this week-long experience looked a little different this year as it was hosted virtually, but FAETA facilitators are planning to hold a banquet for participants in the future.  

 

“We were very excited about the finished product and felt that we were able still offer a valuable experience,” Sewell said. 

 

 

The OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership in the Ferguson College of Agriculture is dedicated to developing well-rounded agricultural professionals, educators, communicators and leaders through academic, research and extension and outreach efforts. Learn more at aged.okstate.edu.