Contact

Teacher Feature – Tracey Sanderson

Growing Knowledge of Agriculture in the Classroom

Teaching

School: Hinckley-Big Rock High School, Hinckley

Grade: High School

Subjects: Agriculture

Number of years teaching: 14

Farm Bureau/Ag Literacy connection: I teach agriculture and am the FFA Advisor. I often work with Farm Bureau’s Ag Literacy program through the Sandwich Fair petting zoo and FARM (Food and Agriculture Resources Monthly) Bags.

What is your favorite unit to teach? I love to teach the introductory unit on Agriculture-Soils.

What do you enjoy most about teaching? I like seeing students grow and develop into future leaders that are living to serve. It’s humbling to watch the impact that agricultural education/FFA has upon a student’s life.

What is something unique that you do in your classroom? Within the classroom, we use our community as an extension of our learning. You will see us identifying trees in town, planting village planters, volunteering at the food pantry, or preparing floral arrangements for an event.

Why is it important for students to learn about food and farming? It is important for students to learn about food and farming so they are educated consumers and aware of career options.

Personal

Hometown: Waterman

Family: Husband, Barrett, and children, Lillian (9) and Annabelle (6)

College/Degree(s): Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Master’s in Educational Literacy from Northern Illinois University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Aurora University

What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian

Favorites

Quote: “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Hobbies: Creating art, being outdoors, kayaking, bicycling, running, hiking, camping. I really enjoy Shabbona Lake State Park.

Books: The “Harry Potter” series

Music: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Sports team: Chicago Cubs

Travel destination: The Netherlands