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As a teacher, your own mind, body, and soul are often set aside or even buried under taking care of everyone else’s. You are often told to “remember self-care,” and it’s easy to roll your eyes when it comes from people who just don’t get it. It’s not that easy for teachers to take time away to travel…until summer, that is.
They can’t comprehend the amount of time, the all-encompassing mental dedication it takes to be a teacher. The way a school year seems to swallow you whole, depositing you into summer feeling washed up and wondering whether you can take another year of this. Sinking gratefully into your time of summer rest while trying to squeeze in everything you couldn’t get done in the last 10 months. And desperately trying to ignore that ceaseless countdown to fall ticking in the back of your mind.
The summer struggle is real. But it is important to make yourself a priority to make up for the months where you simply couldn’t. Even busy agricultural education teachers should try to find some time that they can get away from it all with family and friends by traveling this summer.
One of the best ways to do this is to escape–to take a trip somewhere. While budgets and travel personalities will vary, every single one of you deserves to step away from reality for a bit. We encourage you to check out the article on "Why Teachers Should Travel During Their Summer," and hopefully you discover some reasons to get away from it all this summer.
Source: Kids in Need Foundation, Accessed on 6/3/24.
On behalf of OSPI, we would like to say "Thank You" to all our agriculture education teachers that have proudly served their schools, students, and communities for many years. Your dedicated efforts have truly made a difference in our profession. We wish you all the best in your retirement!
 The Agricultural Education End of Year Report supplies data that can be used to plan for Ag Ed in the future. Last year we had an outstanding submission rate of 96%! In a bid to have all agricultural education teachers submit their data this year, OSPI will once again be utilizing an Alchemer's survey format for 2024. The Ag Ed End of Year Report can be accessed using the link provided, and will remain open only until July 1, 2024. Please see the link for a preview of the questions that will be included on this year's report. There are a few new questions that are included on the 2024 report, so you are encouraged to preview the questions before starting. Also new this year, each individual will receive a copy of their report via email when they submit.
The application to apply for an IRC for the 2025–26 School Year list is NOW OPEN!
Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC's) are a great way to showcase student knowledge and skill at the end of a graduation pathway. If you have an IRC that you would like OSPI to consider adding to the 2025-26 list of IRC's that relates to agricultural education please access the application link: 2025-26-ospi-irc-application-form-required.docx (live.com)
All applications should be returned via email to: cte@k12.wa.us
The deadline to submit is June 30, 2024.
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The Washington Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE) would like to invite all agricultural education teachers to "Come Together" while attending the Annual WAAE Summer Conference on June 23–27, 2024 in Shelton, Washington at the Little Creek Resort and Casino.
OSPI would also like to encourage all agricultural education teachers to participate in this professional development opportunity. The conference is packed with workshops presented by your peers, which lends a sense of collaboration to the event. There are tours of agricultural based industries and a vendor show to help gain resources for the next school year. WAAE Summer Conference is a time to gather as a collective group of teachers to help answer questions, provide mentorship, take part in recreation, support teachers through an annual live/silent auction, and celebrate the accomplishments of our Ag teachers in the field. This conference also helps prepare agricultural education teachers for the upcoming school year.
On behalf of the entire WAAE executive team, we would like to encourage everyone to check out the links included and register to attend the conference at your earliest opportunity. This month we are featuring a list of workshops, tour, and recreation sign-ups as well as family activities available. There are a variety of conference resources available on the WAAE website as well, and you are encouraged to check them out. Let's all "Come Together" and make this year's WAAE summer conference one to remember!
The WAAE Bluebook is a great resource for agricultural educators in the field. It lists the contact information and details for all our WAAE members and is accessible for our WAAE members.
Please fill out the Bluebook link provided to assist in creating our contact list. WAAE is making a completely new document that will be housed in the WAAE documents. If you have not yet filled it out, please complete this before WAAE summer conference. This will help alleviate issues with long lines at conference registration. Thanks for your help with this!
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 WAAE is an approved clock hour provider! For any professional development events happening after WAAE conference, anytime during the summer, and in the fall prior to WAAE Fall Exec that you would like to earn clock hours for as an agricultural education teacher, the WAAE has created an online application for you to fill out. All clock hour applications are Due by June 15. All applications require some additional information about the clock hour opportunity you are applying for and the following events cannot receive clock hours:
- Individuals serving as the instructor for a course for which that individual is the only participant
- Routine meetings to discuss or explain operational policies or administrative practices
- Business meetings of professional associations to discuss operational policies or practices
- Social hours or actual mealtime
If you have any questions or need assistance please contact Lori Sanderson at lsanderson@lrschools.org. The clock hour application is available at the link provided.
The SAE for All training will be hosted on June 22–23 prior to WAAE Summer Conference. This 1.5 day training will provide an opportunity to learn more about SAE for All, the types of projects that are considered Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's), how student SAE projects connect to FFA degrees and award applications, and learn how to manage and supervise SAE projects each year. The cost to attend is $25 and payment can be made through the WAAE Square site. The Deadline to sign-up is June 15. Clock hours will be available through OSPI.
Come join the fun and learn how you can to make SAE for All a meaningful experience for your students enrolled in agricultural education courses. Check out the link to register to attend this pre-conference event. If you have any questions please contact Tamara Whitcomb at tamara.whitcomb@k12.wa.us
Come join us June 22–23 for a great professional learning opportunity! We will certify you in the CASE AgX curriculum. Every lesson includes unique and engaging hands-on activities and projects encouraging student exploration of the agricultural value chain from industry to consumer. In addition, the curriculum includes fresh and personalized assessment tools with laboratories, games, and questioning exercises. Projects throughout the course prepare students for selecting exploratory SAE projects they can implement after completing the course. The cost to attend is $300/participant. Clock hours will be available through OSPI.
This is a curriculum that truly works in all types of situations and can easily be modified to meet your needs as a teacher and your student's needs as well. Check out the link to register to attend this pre-conference event. If you have any questions please contact Randi Krieg at randi.krieg@gsd404.org.
STIHL Northwest and Washington State University are pleased to offer you a training at the STIHL NW headquarters in Centralia, WA. There is still one spot left if anyone is interested.
This will include an online module of training prior to the event (The Bronze training). Once you complete the online training “at home” you will be awarded the certificate of completion that warrants your training in Centralia on the evening of June 21 and all-day June 22. Clock hours will be available through OSPI. If you have any questions please contact J.D. Baser at jbaser@wsu.edu
We are pleased to announce the 2024–2025 Washington State FFA Officer team. The following individuals will be proudly serving as student leaders this year in the Washington FFA Association. Congratulations and good luck!
State President - Emily Ryder (Ellensburg)
State Vice President - Luke Kukes (Quincy)
State Secretary - Ashley Landt (Reardan)
State Treasurer - Makenna Barron (Waitsburg)
State Reporter - Jordan Jelinek (Richland)
State Sentinel - Kassidy Wilfong (Pateros)
The state deadline to submit Agriscience Fair, National Chapter, and Proficiency Award applications has been pushed back to June 20. This is to allow proficiency winners to participate in a virtual workshop on June 17 and 18 through the AET. We encourage all proficiency winners to participate. You should receive an email with further details from AET. Although this workshop is only for proficiency winners, we are choosing to push back the deadline for all award applications, to avoid any confusion. When students are ready to submit their final applications please have them click on "Complete/Save Your App" one final time so that all changes are included, and send an email to both Lisa Baser and Tamara Whitcomb to let state staff know they are ready for consideration at the national level.
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Washington state FFA chapters look forward to attending and competing at National FFA Convention each year. This year's convention is scheduled for October 23–26 in Indianapolis, Indiana. To prepare for your FFA chapter experience, you are welcome to visit the National FFA Convention and Expo website for information on registration, activities, and a preliminary schedule of events. National FFA will continue to update information on the website as we approach National FFA Convention.
National Convention Housing is also open for booking! Washington FFA has a state block open to only Washington FFA chapters. Hotel information, important booking dates, and additional details can be found on our website under Events/National FFA Convention or by accessing the link provided. Please be sure to certify for FFA CDE/LDE's by September 1.
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Celebrate Your State Through #SpeakAg Showcase
Tell your state’s story through the #SpeakAg Showcase program! #SpeakAg Showcase allows FFA members to tell their states’ agriculture story to a broader audience. Click here for more information on the program. The submission deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 25, so start telling your story now! Chapters who submit videos will have an opportunity to showcase their story on the Student Showcase Stage at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo. Winners will be announced during convention.
2025 Awards and Recognition Program Notification
Each year, FFA provides information regarding national-level awards and recognition areas for the upcoming calendar year. The 2025 Awards and Recognition Program is now available.
Still Time To Register for the Washington Leadership Conference
Registration for the 2024 Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) is still open for Weeks 4–6. WLC registration is on a rolling deadline, with the deadlines to register as follows:
- Week 4: the deadline to register is Tuesday, June 11.
- Week 5: the deadline to register is Tuesday, June 25.
- Week 6: the deadline to register is Tuesday, July 9.
More information on WLC can be found here. Interested in finding out more about the student experience during WLC? Click here for the WLC Curriculum Companion Guide.
Judging Season for the Awards Team Almost Here
This is the last reminder to make sure you and any qualified judges in your state complete the interest form ahead of judging season, which kicks off this summer. Look for your invitation to register next week.
Alumni and Supporters Annual Fee and Roster Reminders
As we approach the end of the National FFA membership year, remember that all FFA Alumni and Supporters chapters should submit their annual fee and a roster of at least 10 members (annual, life or associate) before Wednesday, July 31, to remain active. We recommend the online payment option. If you would like to allow or force online payment for the 2024–25 membership year, make that change in your state profile program/chapter section before July 31. There will continue to be no annual fee for corporate, collegiate and past state officer chapters, but these nontraditional chapters must submit/update their roster of a minimum of 10 members annually. Read more information.
Apply for Chapter Funding From Smithfield
Smithfield works every day to produce good food, the right way, with respect for its people, animals, community, and planet. As part of that mission, Smithfield is providing FFA chapters with funds to increase diversity, culture, and engagement; break down financial barriers by providing chapter operations funds; and supporting community service projects that focus on food insecurity. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Funds will be distributed quarterly. Apply now.
Last Chance to Enter to Win a Private Concert for Your Chapter
The deadline is approaching for the Firestone Ag Rock the Crop Sweepstakes. Enter your chapter to win a private concert from Grammy-nominated artist Hailey Whitters. Entries must be submitted by FFA chapter advisors by Thursday, June 6. View complete rules and instructions for entering.
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Each year, Washington state has openings for agricultural education teaching positions at various locations across the state. As openings for agricultural education teachers are made available this school year, please contact J.D. Baser, Associate Professor at Washington State University at jbaser@wsu.edu, to provide details on the posting. All openings submitted will be made available for anyone to access using the provided link. |
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Come explore the new NAAE website! We're excited to launch our new website for agricultural educators at every age and every stage. We appreciate your support and patience as we continue to create the best possible website for member engagement. |
Join us in San Antonio this year December 3–7 and experience the premier Ag Ed professional development event of the year: the 2024 NAAE Convention. Find the piece to your professional development puzzle in over 80 different Ag Ed specific professional development workshops or network with your peers from across the nation. There is no better way to invest in yourself as a professional! You won't want to miss it!
Registration
Registration is now open for the 2024 NAAE Convention! If you're planning to join us for NAAE Convention, we encourage you to register early to take advantage of the early bird registration rate. Early bird registration ends July 31!
Convention Lodging
The 2024 NAAE Convention will be held at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk. We expect the NAAE Housing Block to sell out quickly. Please do not hesitate to make your hotel reservations if you would like to stay at the Grand Hyatt.
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