Agricultural educators know that preparing the next generation for Nebraska's largest industry is a responsibility that requires them to be at the top of their game. Sharpen your skills as a professional, increase your knowledge of advances in agriculture, and expand your ability to make a difference by participating in professional development opportunities!
Live Online Inservice, afternoons at 4:00 or 4:30 Central Time
Come join the virtual fun by attending a live PDW or viewing a previously recorded session. PDWs can be hosted by anyone (teacher, industry partner, state staff, college faculty, etc), so check back often for the latest list!
Future Sessions Include:
Wednesday, April 26 @ 4:30pm - Summer Student Leadership Opportunitites including COLT and WLC with Jeff Moore and Thomas Dux
Wednesday, May 3 @ 4:30pm - Horse Evaluation (competition and resources for teaching in your classroom) with Abby Knobbe
Join Now!
PDWs are hosted using Zoom Meetings as a free service to Nebraska Agricultural Education teachers. Join by computer, iPad, iPhone or Android phones. (Speakers and microphone are required for computers. Most laptops have these built-in. A webcam is preferred, but not required.) When joining your first PDW, it's recommended to connect 10 minutes early to be sure audio is working properly.
Can't connect via Zoom, or having audio issues? You can dial-in by calling 415-762-9988 and entering Meeting ID 4026-1714-19. It's preferred that you connect via computer so that you can see the screen and participants.
Have ideas for future PDWs?
Contact Krystl with ideas and suggestions for topics and presenters.
Please note that the beginning of this PDW is a bit choppy with connection issues, but the latter half summarizes the beginning and digs into the rules and some clarifying questions.
Update from what was stated in the video: The students will be given 4 Petri Dishes of bacteria to count. There will be 2 General Bacteria Counts (lighter Agar) and 2 Coliform Bacteria Counts (darker Agar). The students will need to know which petri dish (agar plate) is used to count general bacteria and which one is used to count Coliform bacteria.
Fast forward to: Logging in and setting up teacher profile and classes (starts at 3:15); Adding students (starts at 8:30); Student profile (starts at 20:00); Adding student experiences (starts at 30:00); Managing placement experiences (starts at 32:00); Managing entrepreneurship/production experiences (starts at 45:15); Misc AET features (reports, text/email students, & more) (starts at 1:23:00)
As agriculture teachers, we’re also math teachers, English teachers, science teachers, etc. Check out this turn-key professional learning experience designed to enhance instruction in English Language Arts across all disciplines. Currently, three foundational webinars are posted (Core Instructional Model, Formative Assessment and Monitoring and Adjusting Instruction). Most recently, the first strategy specific webinar (Close Reading) was posted. Over the next few months additional strategy-specific resources will be developed and posted. The strategies include: RAFT, Text Coding/Think-Alouds, Self-Check Paragraph Writing, Peer Editing, Class Glossary Mixer, QAR, Inquiry-Research Process Writing, Informative Speaking, and Infographics. The resources are located here.
For more information about this experience, please contact Cory Epler (cory.epler@nebraska.gov).
Online, In-Person, and On-Site, Throughout the School Year
Nebraska Team Ag Ed offers professional development and support for teachers new to teaching agriculture in Nebraska throughout the school year. This support includes:
Monthly Zoom online meetings hosted by UNL beginning in September
Regular mentor support organized by NAEA
Fall Meeting at Ag Ed Symposium in Grand Island on Saturday, November 14; hosted by NDE
Spring Meeting at Leverage/Activate Conference in Kearney on Saturday, March 19, 2016; hosted by UNL
Beginning Teacher Institute (last week in July, dates TBD) in Lincoln hosted by NDE (recommended but optional)
Monthly Meetings
Monthly meetings are designed around a "just in time" philosophy based on the needs and upcoming events of a beginning agricultural education teacher. Each month, you can choose one of the two available Zoom dates to attend a meeting based on your schedule. The first meeting each month will begin at 4:00 CT, while the second meeting each month will take place at 4:30 CT. Note the following dates:
August 23 or 25 via Zoom
September 13 or 15 via Zoom; Special Topic: AET
October 4 or 6 via Zoom
November 5 @ Ag Ed Symposium in Grand Island, from 12:30 - 3:00 (In-Person Meeting)
December 13 or 15 via Zoom
January 11 or 12 via Zoom
February 7 or 9 via Zoom
March 18 @ Leverage/Activate in Kearney, from Noon - 3:30 (In-Person Meeting)
May 3 or 4 via Zoom
Join via Zoom Now!
Beginning teacher monthly meetings are hosted using Zoom meetings as a free service. Join by computer, iPad, iPhone or Android phones. (Speakers and microphone are required for computers. Most laptops have these built-in. A webcam is preferred, but not required.) When joining your first Zoom meeting, it's recommended to connect 10 minutes early to be sure audio is working properly.
Can't connect via Zoom, or having audio issues? You can dial-in by calling 415-762-9988 and entering Meeting ID 4026-1714-19. It's preferred that you connect via computer so that you can see the screen and participants.
Questions? Contact us!
Matt Kreifels Beginning Teacher Program Coordinator matt.kreifels@unl.edu 402.617.1419
Location: Rock Springs Ranch 4-H Center just south of Junction City, Kansas
Time/Dates: Sunday, July 9th starting at 4:00 pm through July 12th at 3:00 PM
Cost: Free—meals, room and board are included!
(Note, cancelling after June 15/no show teachers will be assessed a $300 fee.)
Exclusively for Ag Teachers from Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas...
Do you feel like your students lack creativity, wonder, and internal drive? Has the educational system programmed students to wait for the spoon-fed answers instead of questioning the process? Are you tired of teaching with the same old methods and are you ready for a change?
About the Agriscience Inquiry Institute
The Tri-State Agriscience Institute is designed to help teachers develop their skills in the art of integrating science, math and language arts into the already existing agriculture curriculum utilizing inquiry based instruction. During this conference, 30 teachers will spend three full days participating in an interactive, hands-on application-based agriscience training program and will walk away with science kits, a wealth of knowledge, and revised lesson plans using the inquiry method. You’ll be in Kansas but the training will be presented by the same team utilized by the DuPont Agriscience Academy.
Here is what previous participants had to say after the conference:
“I realize that I have been denying my student the joy of discover and enabling them to be passive learners by always giving them information. Your lessons this weekend have shown that I can modify just a bit of what I do to better engage them and take responsibility for their own learning.”
“Opening my eyes to new methods of instruction and ways my ag content can blend with academic content. Using inquiry in my classroom will strengthen my abilities as a teacher as well as encourage my student to take more active roles in their learning.”
“Best day of teaching ever!!!! I'm happy... the students are happy! They are engaged and learning with very simple changes!”
Register Now!
Registration is managed by the Smokey Hills ESC (Kansas version of ESU). Nebraska has 10 guaranteed spots and they will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis!
Teaching Science Concepts using Animal & Food Sciences
Locations: SEM High School, Scottsbluff High School or Keya Paha High School
Cost: FREE plus stipend!
Participate in a two-day workshop with 12 months of support focusing on enhancing science concepts by participating in a rigorous professional development program that teaches real-world science through the context of genetics, muscle biology, microbiology, nutrition, and inquiry-based teaching methods. Our project addresses three measurable, outcome-oriented objectives for high school agriculture and science teachers: (1) improve content knowledge within the sciences (genetics, muscle biology, microbiology, nutrition); (2) improve instructional approaches within the sciences (inquiry based learning techniques); and (3) increase teachers' ability to use principles of animal and food science, as a context for teaching science.
Available Dates
July 18 & 19 at SEM High School (Sumner, NE)
July 27 & 28 at Scottsbluff High School
August 3 & 4 at Keya Paha High School (Springview, NE)
Registration
Space is limited in each session, please register now!
Location: Courtyard by Marriott, Lincoln (Haymarket)
Cost: Free, including mileage, lodging, meals and parking!
The Career Education Beginning Teacher Institute will be held Monday, July 17, 2017 – Wednesday, July 19, 2017 in Lincoln. The Beginning Teacher Institute is designed for Career Educators who are finishing their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of teaching.
This event allows beginning CTE teachers to build positive, dependable, and supportive relationships among other CTE teachers in Nebraska. Additionally, the Beginning Teacher Institute will provide participants with practical skills that related to classroom instruction, student engagement, and classroom management. The participants will also explore ways to market and communicate the value of their Career Education program.
The expenses associated with participation in the Beginning Teacher Institute will be covered by the Nebraska Department of Education. This is made possible in part through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. This includes round-trip mileage to and from Lincoln, double-occupancy lodging (if more than 60 miles one-way from Lincoln), meals, and parking. Additionally, two graduate credit hours will be offered through the ALEC Department at UNL for those wishing to earn credits from their participation.
Because of the focused nature of this learning experience, a maximum of 35 participants will be able to participate. Once 35 participants have been confirmed, additional participants will not be able to participate this year. Please use the following link to indicate that you would like to participate in the Beginning Teacher Institute: Register Now!
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Ryan Foor at ryan.foor@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-2494.
Events Offered by Partner Organizations
None available at this time. Contact State Staff to notify them of potential opportunities.
Other Dates to Consider...
The following is a list of student-related summer dates to consider as you plan your summer:
