At the Nebraska FFA Foundation, part of the everyday mission is to invest in agricultural education by “Growing Leaders.” One way we accomplish this lasting goal is to assist ag educators in continued professional growth and development. We believe that agriculture educators are at the helm of preparing our next generation of agricultural leaders, and the impact they make on the lives of students is invaluable.
Therefore, to encourage teachers to participate in professional development opportunities and assist them in doing so, the Foundation offers teachers scholarships to attend a variety of PD opportunities offered during the summer months.
Through both in-person and virtual options, CASE 4 Learning (Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education) provides professional development opportunities for teachers. This summer, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ALEC Department, and the NAEA Professional Development Committee hosted a week of professional development BriefCASE sessions at UNL East Campus. A BriefCASE is a shortened version of a CASE curriculum course that ranges from five hours to three days. During a BriefCASE workshop, teachers network with fellow educators, learn new curriculum and skills, and prepare for how to incorporate the material into their classrooms for the upcoming school year.
A total of 18 Nebraska AFNR teachers applied for and received funding through the Nebraska FFA Foundation to attend the summer BriefCASE trainings. The scholarships, provided by the Growing a Brighter Future for Nebraska FFA Grant, funded by theHoward G. Buffett Foundation, covered the full registration costs of $800 per participant.
“I truly believe that professional development is one of the most valuable investments we can make as educators,” reflects Cheyenne Harms, ag teacher and FFA advisor at Omaha Bryan Hight School. “Teaching is a profession of lifelong learning, and every opportunity to grow helps us become better teachers for our students.”
The NeFFA Foundation offered scholarships for two specialized PD workshops: AgXplore (AgX) BriefCASE and Animal Health and Veterinary Science (AHVS) BriefCASE. Teachers could apply for scholarships to attend one or both of the workshops.
In AgX, middle school students explore the daily impact of agriculture over roughly 60 days of instruction. The curriculum introduces students to the plants, resources, energy, and animals we use and consume due to agricultural technologies.
“AgXplore gives around 60 days of curriculum, which introduces middle school students to plants, resources, energy, and animals. This will give students insight into agriculture and FFA, which will hopefully convince them to join FFA in junior high or high school,” shared Savannah Siebrandt, Bertrand-Loomis (BerMis) FFA.
AHVS is a semester-long program emphasizing inquiry-based learning and technical skill development. This course provides an in-depth examination of veterinary science, focusing on the relationship of factors affecting animal health. Through structured inquiry activities, projects, and problems, students address practical challenges, fostering critical thinking and an understanding of the intricate relationships between animal health and care. Skills in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment techniques are applied through hands-on practice. Students integrate knowledge into case studies, which further develop problem-solving abilities and provide insight into the practical implications of veterinary science across diverse contexts.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend the AVHS BriefCASE training. The presenters, hands-on training and curriculum are all top-notch, said Kylie Penke, teacher and FFA advisor at Oakland-Craig. “I found the information and skill development to be so useful. I cannot wait to incorporate the activities into my own courses!”
By prioritizing lifelong learning and professional development of our educators, the Nebraska FFA Foundation is committed to our mission to ensure effective leadership is cultivated for years to come!
