In honor of Teacher Appreciation Day on May 3, learn how four FFA Teacher Ambassadors have impacted their chapters and supported the next generation of leaders in agriculture.
Millie McKinney: Pine Grove FFA – Pine Grove, Miss.
Not only does Pine Grove FFA advisor Millie McKinney take her students’ goals seriously and help them make their dreams a reality, but she also serves as their No. 1 cheerleader. For students like Billie Jade Chapman, that level of support has made all the difference.
“Ms. McKinney encouraged me to chase my dream of becoming a Mississippi FFA state officer and was by my side every step of the way,” says Chapman, the 2021-22 Mississippi FFA president. “She helped me prepare, supported me throughout the process, and helped me boost my confidence and believe in myself. Because of Ms. McKinney and the example she’s set, I plan to pursue a career in agricultural education. She’s my role model.”
Madison Hynes: Riverside FFA – Boardman, Ore.
Riverside FFA advisor Madison Hynes has helped her chapter grow stronger – both in membership and morale. According to Riverside FFA president Brenda Trujillo-Vazquez, Ms. Hynes combines expert leadership with kindness and care to help each member feel valued, supported and inspired. As a result, the chapter is thriving.
“Ms. Hynes truly cares about each member of our chapter,” says Trujillo-Vazquez. “She notices when we’re feeling down and checks in on us, and we know we can trust her. Ms. Hynes also inspires us to work hard and push ourselves to reach our full potential. We couldn’t ask for a better advisor.”
Grace Godfrey: Chief Washakie FFA – Worland, Wyo.
Better known to her students as “G,” Chief Washakie FFA advisor Grace Godfrey serves as a mentor for many of her students, including Chief Washakie FFA president Odalys Osorio-Alcala. Ms. Godfrey works tirelessly to ensure members get the most out of their FFA experience.
“G helped us apply for grants that made it possible for us to purchase chicks and build a chicken coop for an egg production operation, along with materials to build raised garden beds for growing fruits and vegetables,” says Osorio-Alcala, a senior at Worland High School. “Thanks to her, we have access to opportunities we probably wouldn’t get otherwise.”
Jessica Brown: Columbia FFA – Columbia, Tenn.
After realizing she no longer wanted to pursue a career in the agriculture industry, Columbia FFA reporter Maddy Underwood still decided to stay in FFA. That was an easy choice, she says, due to the close connection she has with her advisor, Jessica Brown.
“Ms. Brown is amazing,” Underwood says. “After deciding I didn’t want to become a veterinarian as I’d originally planned, I’ve stayed in her classes and remained in FFA because of her positive influence in my life. She’s taught me so much, helped me apply for college, and has gone out of her way for my fellow members and I more times than I can count.”
