Sarah Madsen (right) and her father, Jeff Cooksey (left).
Individuals who select the career path of agricultural education must be committed, passionate and have grit both in and outside the classroom. They must create and deliver curriculum while simultaneously preparing to spend many hours outside the classroom as an advisor. This can range from coaching Career Development Event (CDE) teams to helping a member receive their state degree.
Although this job can be challenging, these educators step into the classroom every day, determined to help their students succeed and inspire countless FFA members.
Meet Sarah Madsen
Sarah Madsen is the current advisor of the Weld Central FFA Chapter located in Keenesburg, Colo. After graduating from Weld Central High School in 2013, Madsen decided to pursue an agricultural education degree at Colorado State University. She was a student-teacher at Merino High School under the guidance of Todd Everhart before eventually making her way back home, where she would leave a lasting mark.
“I teach because I want to serve my students and the community around me,” Madsen says. “I want students to find their purpose and passion in their life, whether it’s in agriculture or not. I want to give students opportunities and experiences they will remember their whole lives that are rooted in hard work and hands-on learning. I want students to feel valued and have a purpose in this world.”
Todd Everhart (left) and Sarah Madsen (right).
Early Success
Whether in the classroom or on the road, Madsen’s tenacity and spirit have made her FFA program flourish. In a short span of time, Madsen has accomplished incredible feats.
As head of the agricultural education department, she taught and coached state officers, gold-rated CDE teams, state-winning teams and national finalists—all while consistently receiving a National Chapter Award. She has also inspired many of her students to pursue agricultural education or related fields.
Madsen and her agricultural business class visit her family farm.
Madsen’s inspiration has now become colleagues who continue to support her every day.
“My agriculture teachers, Mr. McMillan and Mr. Kendall, my high school teachers turned colleagues, Mrs. DeVoe and Mrs. Baumgartner, my cooperating teacher from student teaching and Mr. Everhart are the ones who have inspired me to teach agriculture,” Madsen says. “I am very passionate about teaching all circles of the three-circle model and credit that to everyone who inspires me. All of these people also taught me to teach from the seat of the learner and to put the student first. I am grateful for all they have taught me.”
This year, Madsen has taken up the responsibility of being a district advisor for the first time. Advisors can only accomplish this if one of their members is elected as district president. For the second year in a row, Madsen has two members serving on the Colorado District 14 officer team, which has a rigorous and challenging election process.
Madsen and her advisor, Tad McMillan, at the annual Colorado FFA State Convention.
When she is not busy getting students excited to learn or hitting the road for a competition, Madsen spends time with her three daughters.
Despite being put in challenging situations, Madsen continues to defy all odds and be diligent in her work. Her passion for teaching the next generation of agriculturists is reflected in the hours of work and success that has come from it. She is the embodiment of what it means to be an educator and a servant leader.
