Snowy School Days

Tis the season for winter weather, and this week was nothing shy of a winter wonderland.

Our area received nearly 3 feet of snow this past weekend, so we had a slow start to our school week. School left out early last Friday, due to the incoming weather, and we did not return until Wednesday this week. Classes were in session Wednesday and Thursday but on 2 hour delay schedules, so class time was modified once again. Friday, (today) was parent-teacher conferences, so students were not in school today.

Moral of my week, was learning how to adapt to changing schedules.

This week I began teaching Dairy Science to our Animal Care and Management (ACM) students. One of my favorite aspects of teaching this week, was having both of my ACM classes create a KWL chart on their knowledge of Dairy Science.

We filled in the 'Know' column as well as 'Want to know' column. I felt this was a fun interactive way to get my students think about dairy science and what prior knowledge they have and what they wish to learn throughout the next few weeks. A few of my students told me they enjoyed this approach to beginning a new lesson.  At the end of this unit we will follow up on our charts and complete the 'Learned' column.

As a result of all the snow we received at school, our heat system in our greenhouse took a turn for the worse and broke over the weekend. So on Wednesday, my Horticulture II students stepped away from our floriculture unit to rearrange our hydroponics system in the greenhouse. Because of the low temperatures in the greenhouse we decided to bring our hydroponics system into the classroom and save as many cucumber and tomato plants as possible.

 This was very stressful, because we had a lot to do in a short class time, but I think this was a great opportunity for team building. I saw each one of my 4 students working well with each other and helping wherever they were needed. Also, I think this was a great team building experience for Ms. Smith and I as we got to see how we work together under stress and keep composure to ensure our class stays in order.

At the end of the day we had the hydroponic system set up and functioning in our classroom, and our plants are still hanging in there.

This week was crazy, but I am looking forward to a regular scheduled week next week, teaching dairy science in the morning and floriculture in the afternoon.

Ms. Timmons


"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire". -Anonymous

I love teaching...so far!

This week, was my first week teaching one of my classes at Kennard-Dale. The week began with a staff development day on Monday. This was fun for me to continue to interact with my colleagues in the building. We participated in a Ed Camp, which I thoroughly enjoyed! I believe this is a great way to make professional development fun and beneficial for each specific teachers needs. I learned how to properly write press releases which I will use to promote our FFA chapter events and accomplishments. In addition, Ms. Smith and I attended a workshop on effective classroom instruction, which was great for me to see how other teachers ensure their class runs efficiently and productively.

Finally, Tuesday rolled around and I was able to have my first day of actual teaching. This week I began teaching Ms. Smith and I's ninth period Horticulture II class. This class is fun, energetic, and...small. There are 4 students in this class (3 boys and 1 girl)! Having four students in a class is a great way to start teaching. I felt very comfortable teaching to a small group of students I feel I know well. However, on the first day of class, I only had two students. And my lesson plan for that day went right out the window. Actually, it really was not that bad, I just had to rearrange some materials and activities I had planned.

As the week progressed, all my students were in class and we were back on track and running smoothly again. All is well in Horticulture II. Looking ahead this week coming up my students will get to practice their floriculture skills through constructing a candy arrangement.

This week I had the opportunity to attend our monthly school board meeting with Ms. Smith and 5 of our FFA officers. Our officers got to share their gratitude and appreciation for all the events that the school board allows us to attend. To show our appreciation, we wanted to give the school board members an overview of how the events and activities we participate in our growing our program and our students as individuals. I know Ms. Smith and I both were proud of our students and for the accomplishments that we have and are able to continue throughout our program.

Next week will be a great week. I will continue teaching Horticulture II however, I will also begin to teach animal care and management which is a course taught two periods each day. I am looking forward to more time in front of the classroom and growing as a teacher.

~Ms. Timmons

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

I Get to Wear a Teacher's Badge!!

When I was little I always played 'school'. My 'school' consisted of me teaching imaginary kids sitting on the floor in my living room. Now, since I was little I didn't really teach much of anything rather I just perfected my teaching desire.

I only needed two things in order for me to feel like a teacher as I played 'school'. Those two things were a stack of white computer paper, and a teacher's badge.

That's all that mattered to me! At a young age (long before I met Dr. Foster) all I need in order for me to feel like a teacher was my papers to pass out and a badge with my picture on it.

I felt like a teacher because I got to pass out paper! Let me tell you, I perfected that skill and today I am a pretty good paper passer outer. But I could not pass out paper unless I was wearing my teacher's badge. Of course I did not have anything like a real teacher's badge so I had to improvise.

Let me tell you what my 'teacher's badge' was. You know when you go to amusement parks and on some water rides a camera will take your picture  as you going down the ride. And at the end of the ride you can purchase a small keychain picture. Well I happen to like those water rides so I have a few of those little keychain pictures. So I put one of those pictures on my handy dandy Penn State lanyard and I was a teacher! Now there were a few extra heads in my teacher picture but that was okay.

I felt like a teacher! I was a' teacher' because I wore a teacher's badge....and passed out paper!

A dream of mine came true this week. A desire, a passion, a goal, and an amazing opportunity came true. I got a real teacher's badge!

Now as you can see my teacher's badge does not say my name nor does it have a picture of my lovely face on it. Instead it says substitute, and I'm okay with that!

After this first week, I feel confident in myself, and the knowledge that I have gained about becoming an effective, powerful agricultural teacher. I feel as though I have the knowledge and the ability to wear this substitute teacher badge.

But, this badge, unlike my amusement park picture badge, does not have my picture on it. This badge is not permanent for me (and believe me I would love to have a permanent badge at KD). Rather this badge is not permanent for me yet, because I don't feel as though I am ready for a real badge with my name and face on it. I have the knowledge but I want the experience. I want to earn my REAL teacher's badge that says Ms. Timmons.

This first week of student teaching inspired me to continue and to honestly, entirely committed earn a permanent teacher's badge.

I got to watch an amazing, inspiring agriculture teach this week. I got to have a dog stay in my classroom (as a guest) one day this week because we were finishing an animal unit on dogs. I got to sit in on our monthly FFA meeting. I got to see my students every single day this week. I got to meet a welcoming family of faculty and staff this week. I got to have lunch in the teacher's lounge each day and listen to some of the funniest conversations you could ever hear in a school.

This was a great week of observations. But, observing is not going to make me an amazing agriculture teacher. Observing is not going to earn my permanent teacher's badge.

I am so excited for the weeks ahead. I am so excited to teach and to share my voice with my students. I am ready to finally earn my teacher's badge!

A few weeks ago at National FFA Convention, I told Ms. Smith that I could not wait to spend every day with her at Kennard Dale. After a week with her and our students, I feel even more excited to see her and our kids each day!

I can't wait for the rest of this semester and for all the dreams that keep coming true.

Love,
Ms. Timmons

"And I will rise when He calls my name"-Chris Tomlin

Mid-Winter Convention at the 100th PA Farm Show

Time really does fly by!

Not only was today a mark in time for the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, it was also my very first day of my student teaching experience, and let me tell you, it was a great day! Today I had the great opportunity of visiting the PA Farm Show with my cooperating school. Ms. Smith and I were grateful to attend the farm show with 20 of our agricultural students.

The PA Farm show is the largest indoor agricultural exposition. So of course as a farm girl, a lover of agriculture and now an agricultural teacher, this is an exciting event for me to attend. Today the farm show hosted the FFA Mid-Winter Convention. During this time, FFA students are awarded for their achievements and accomplishments.

One of the rewards that FFA members are able to receive during this time are the blue corduroy FFA jackets. This is an honor to receive as allows members to become part of a legacy.

Today Ms. Smith and I had 5 students receive their FFA jackets. This was an honor for me to witness and be a part of. I was moved by the dedication and commitment my students were making to their future, our FFA chapter, and to others. I feel blessed to be able to impact these five students as they become active members in our FFA chapter. I am so excited for the many opportunities these students will have as they proudly wear their blue jackets. Each one of these students are very deserving of the one and only blue FFA jacket.

In addition to receiving FFA jackets, members also if eligible are able to receive their Keystone degree at Mid-Winter Convention. The Keystone degree is a symbol of the great accomplishments service, and dedication FFA members have given through their service in the FFA.

Today, Ms. Smith and I had two seniors earn their Keystone degree. These two students are both officers within our FFA chapter and their willingness and commitment to our chapter is unwavering. I am so proud of Brooke and Josh for their hard work. They spend countless hours working to ensure our FFA chapter is active and impactful throughout our community. Brooke and Josh also excel in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) as they make strives to apply the knowledge they are learning in their agriculture class to their real life experiences. They received this award with great honor!

Today was filled with joy! I think spending the day with Ms. Smith and a few of our students gave me a greater appreciation for the tremendous opportunity I have at Kennard Dale. Today, as I saw 5 students make a commitment to serving their FFA chapter, I was reminded of my commitment I am making to myself as I become an agriculture teacher and to my students at Kennard Dale as I will serve them and positively impact their educational career. I was also inspired by Brooke and Josh as I witnessed them receiving their Keystone degree. They demonstrated their hard work and dedication, which reinforced to me that I will need to work hard these next few weeks, but in the end the rewards I will receive from this student teaching experience will be greater than any degree could offer.

Ms. Timmons

"Great leaders do not desire to lead but to serve." -Myles Munroe