Welcome to March! The warmer weather is slowly heading our way, and spring activities such as career and leadership development events and state conventions/banquets are upon us. We are proud of the success experienced and observed during National FFA Week. Thank you for your contribution to successfully highlighting the mission and vision of agricultural education and the National FFA Organization.
As we continue our march through the Value Statements, the action of “embrace” becomes the focus for the month. The verbs “respect” and “embrace” are paired in Value Statement #1, and rightly so. “Embrace” is defined as “willingly and enthusiastically accepting.” Therefore, it stands to reason that the foundational step of “embracing” is to respect the differences in the culture and experiences that make up our organization.
As a young teacher, I stumbled in this area. During that period of my career, a college-prep diploma was the popular track for many students and parents and often the preferred option for those advising students. To counter this, I decided I would start an upper-level ag class and personally select who was qualified to enroll in this class. I could sort students according to their academic performance and thus set our chapter to be successful. However, my principal was quick to catch on. He profoundly explained, “Mr. Woodard, the day I can stand in front of my school and decide who comes into my school is the day you can stand in front of your ag class and decide who enters your classroom.” Clearly stated and explained, I learned a valuable lesson. And quickly, I was redirected to the reason I became an agriculture teacher – to make a difference in a student’s life to the same degree my agriculture teacher made in my life.
After much reflection and a little maturing, I realized that if I had been the subject of those types of qualifications, I would not have had the opportunity to grow as an FFA member. Opportunities provided to our students should not be reserved for the few we can easily pick to be successful. We should exhibit the action of embracing students regardless of their backgrounds. As I further defined my values as a professional, I vowed to connect to students by helping them realize their potential as a student and FFA member.
I would ask us to practice “embrace” beyond a typical dictionary definition. What potential could we unlock for our local chapters if we were to tap into the intrinsic passions of our students and members? Please join me in connecting to our students in a way that enriches their lives regardless of their cultural backgrounds or experiences. I know my life has been deeply enriched because of an ag teacher looking beyond my background. Let’s become a community that aspires to expand our reach through our value of embracing people and their differences.
Here by the Owl,
James
Dr. James Woodard
National FFA Advisor
