Month: June 2018

We had a 5 day professional development learning experience at NCCAT in Cullowhee, NC from June 18-June 22, 2018.  This was an amazing opportunity!  Among the many things I learned was how to use social media tools such as Twitter for a Professional Learning Network and other tech tools such as blogs, Google Tools, GooseChase, and INaturalist.  An interesting part of the PD was learning our own Myers-Briggs personality type and strategies on how to work with others based on their personality type.

I enjoyed the Branding session and worked to create my brand based on input from others.  I am a positive educator that maximizes student potential for career matchmaking!

Other PD that I will put to practical use was on digital portfolios, project based learning, and culturally relevant pedagogy.  We had such deep, rich conversations about these topics and this helped me to reflect on how I can put this to use as a Career Coach.

Wednesday was a lot of fun as we explored Cullowhee while completing a team scavenger hunt using GooseChase.  This would be a wonderful learning experience for students around their school!

The entire PD was an enriching experience that I will be able to use as I implement Agriculture awareness in the classroom.

Founded in 2000, the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership addresses the critical need for high-quality professional development for educators, and is the largest (science, technology, engineering and math) STEM-focused teacher leadership program in North Carolina.

To learn more about Kenan Fellows including the fellowships, click HERE.

On June 12 and 13, 2018 I visited “The Farm” in Dobson, NC.  This husband and wife farm has a produce and agribusiness.  Their top produce is cucumbers, tomatoes, and winter squash.  They also produce watermelon, cantaloupe, okra, green beans, squash, zucchini, peppers and broccoli.  Using hydroponics in a greenhouse, they produce lettuce, kale, and swiss chard.  They have recently added chickens for egg production and after their fall agribusiness shuts down they slaughter their pigs for sausage.  They have recently started a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program with over 30 members.  The cost to join was $300 for 10 weeks of fresh food.

They have around 90 acres of produce at two different locations and are also harmonized GAP certified which means that they adhere to the highest food safety standards from the USDA.  Their agribusiness starts in September and runs until November each year.  This is a family fun business that features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn box, pizza farm, playground, hayrides, chicken coop, barrel train rides, sunflower patch, rat race, bouncin’ barnyard, pipe slide, animal viewing area, popcorn garden, apple cannon, fire pit, petting zoo, and concessions.  This business works well with the local school systems and childcare centers for field trips that are planned by the owner Mayghan Watson, a former elementary teacher.  Mayghan makes sure there are lots of educational opportunities for children.

While at the farm, I learned a great deal about the business, helped load and clean cucumbers on a conveyor belt cleaning machine, make deliveries, and prepare items for the upcoming CSA.   I noticed how hard the work was, but could see the dedication that Mayghan and her husband Josh have to The Farm and the community!

First day of Kenan Fellows Summer Institute has been awesome!  We are gathered at NCCAT in Cullowhee, NC for professional development.  I’m looking forward to working with Surry County Farm Bureau to increase Agriculture awareness in Surry County Schools.  I had a good time working with new colleagues learning how to set up a blog!