AMES – The Iowa Department of Education for the 2016-2017 school year has once again identified Agriculture Education as a teacher shortage area. The Iowa Association of Agriculture Educators (IAAE), as part of a Teach Ag grant program, are focusing efforts to combat this shortage.
High school seniors and college transfer students who are committing to pursue a degree in Agricultural Education (Teacher Certification) will be participating in the 2nd Annual Letter of Intent Signing Day for Future Agriculture Teachers at the 89th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 10, 2017 on Iowa State University’s Campus in Hilton Coliseum.
The purpose of the event is to recognize those students who are pursuing an Agriculture Education degree at the institution of their choice and committing to teach upon completion of their degree. The signees will receive a cap from the college they will be attending, a Teach Ag t-shirt, a Teach Ag Hootie Owl, a lapel pin, and more.
Last year, Iowa was the first in the nation to conduct a signing event for a Letter of Intent to Teach. This year, 30 students are committing to Teach Agriculture and pursue a degree in Agricultural Education (Teacher Certification) at: Iowa State University, Northwest Missouri State University, and Oklahoma State University.
The Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference is the fifth largest state FFA Conference in the nation, reaching attendance of nearly 5,000 students, parents, educators, and agriculture industry leaders.
Today’s FFA members are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Through agricultural and hands-on learning, they are preparing for more than 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industry.
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About Iowa FFA Association The Iowa FFA Association is a youth organization of over 14,700 student members as part of 232 local FFA chapters across Iowa. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Iowa FFA Association was organized by delegates from 23 schools at Iowa State College on May 17, 1929 and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The Iowa Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the Iowa FFA Association online at IowaFFA.com, on Facebook, and Twitter.
About Iowa Associations of Agricultural Educators The Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators’ vision is “To be the premier professional organization for advancing agricultural education.” The mission statement is “To foster a network of professionals that values and supports the advancements of agricultural education.”
