By Mindy Smits
Change can be scary, difficult, nerve-wracking…the list goes on and on. Yet change is happening all around.
For some of us it is starting college or transitioning out of college. For some it is wondering what your summers will be like after your last county fair. For some the ...
Personal
Hometown: Shabbona
Family: My husband Curt and I farm south
of Shabbona. We have two grown daughters, Hilary and Rachel.
College/Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Child Development from NIU, Master of Arts
in Education from Aurora University
What did you want to be when you
grew up? A teacher, of course!
Favorites
Quote: “Be the reason someone smiles ...
DeKalb County Farm Bureau congratulates this year's State FFA Degree recipients from DeKalb County. Eighteen young people were recognized with the State Degree at the Illinois FFA Convention last month.
The State FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the organization ...
Teaching
Teacher: Miss Brenda Woker
School: Jefferson Elementary School, DeKalb
Grade: 4th Grade
Subjects: All
Number of years teaching: 21 years at Jefferson Elementary
Farm Bureau/Ag Literacy connection: I use Ag Literacy materials in my classroom and take my students on farm field trips. I have also participated in the following: Ag Literacy Committee, 18 years; ...
Summer Ag Institute over the years: 1999-2019
By the numbers…
20 Summer Ag Institutes conducted (1 cancelled)
391 Teachers participated (240 unduplicated)
39 Percentage of teachers who have repeated the course
91 Farms and ag-related businesses toured
118 Speakers and panelists
56 Total schools represented (35 in-county, 21 out-of-county)
19 Average class size
Every year ...
Ten inquisitive educators gathered in June for a unique opportunity that has taken place in DeKalb County for two decades.
The teachers were participants in the 20th Summer Ag Institute (SAI), a graduate course and professional development opportunity designed for educators. “Exploring STEM Tools in Food & Farming” was the theme ...
“I smell something!” It’s a common reaction when non-farm kids disembark their school bus on a farm field trip.
Unaccustomed to the aromas of livestock, many students initially cover their noses when they first arrive at the farm. Soon the newness of the odors is forgotten as students eagerly accompany their ...
Growing Knowledge of Agriculture in the Classroom
Personal
Hometown: I was born in Baltimore, MD and have lived in DeKalb, IL for 41 years.
Family: My husband Kevin & I have been married 39 years. We have 3 married children and 10 grandchildren: Stephen (Abby) with Cecilia, Eero and Joe; Jessica Lehan (Jim) ...
DeKalb students experience Ag History Expo
“In the hallways I hear kids talking about getting in the combine, as well as getting their hands in the soil!”
DeKalb School District instructional coach Emily Weller still hears students converse about the memorable History Expo that took place at Farm Bureau this spring. About ...
For nearly 30 years, DeKalb County children have been invited to illustrate their agricultural knowledge.
First introduced as a poster contest in 1990, then as a t-shirt design challenge from 1993 to 2002, the Food for Thought Placemat Design Contest encourages elementary teachers across the county to incorporate lessons about agriculture.
Teachers ...
