Agriculture Educators balance a number of things on their plate at one time. This could include understanding curriculum, making lesson plans, managing a greenhouse, teaching shop and ag lab classes and prepping for numerous different competitions all at one time. This list only includes school-related activities, add on family responsibilities, and then burnout becomes a real possibility. Fortunately, in Nebraska, a program supported by the Nebraska FFA Foundation exists to help solve that problem. The XLR8 Program works to support teachers in their sixth or higher year of teaching by giving them space to identify career and personal goals and how to balance the two of them.
Through the XLR8 Program, mid-career agriculture teachers attend workshops centered on professional development, avoiding burnout, increasing career satisfaction and finding balance in the busyness of life. One of the teachers that attended XLR8 is Nicole Mowry, the FFA Advisor of the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca FFA Chapter in Syracuse, Nebraska. Nicole grew up in Arlington but becoming an agriculture teacher wasn’t on her radar in high school because they didn’t have an FFA program. She says, “It was while I was attending Northeast Community College that I found my love for teaching while helping my classmates with an agri-business class.” After her time at Northeast, she transferred to Northwest Missouri State University and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She is now in her eighth year of teaching and her fifth year at Syracuse.
The biggest takeaway Nicole gained from the XLR8 Program is that 1% change is enough change. If she can do 1% better each day it will all add up to make a big difference in the lives of her students. One of the biggest ways she wants to change how the program is run is by increasing delegation opportunities. This will help her avoid over-working and give her students valuable chances to take matters into their own hands and learn how to be leaders that act. Delegating will allow her students to grow as leaders and take more ownership in the classroom, their activities and personal SAE projects. Nicole is sure that these small, but meaningful changes will benefit herself, her family and her students.
With the support of the Nebraska FFA Foundation, Nicole and Syracuse FFA will continue to learn and grow. This chapter boasts over 70 students from grades 7th-12th, and numerous classes to choose from including small animal care, animal science, large animal management, natural resources, agricultural mechanics, plant science and horticulture. Programs like these ensure Nebraska FFA continues to move forward and grow leaders for the next generation.
