Throughout a member’s time in FFA, FFA advisors can become more than simply teachers. Whether they are chauffeurs who taxi groups from one contest to another or New York Times-level editors during scholarship application season, their daily presence goes far beyond the job description. There is no question that ag teachers deserve appreciation. Here are some creative options to express your gratitude for your advisors’ hard work and dedication.
- Give the gift of development.
Premier leadership. Personal growth. Career success. The FFA mission isn’t just for members, but for all involved in agricultural education. Purchase a leadership book for your advisors and sign the interior cover as a gift. Register your advisors for an online MasterClass. Use your own knowledge to develop a presentation that explains the latest media trends and help your teachers become better advisors.
- Share thanks in a way only ag can.
Express your thanks in a big way through your supervised agricultural experience (SAE). Whether you plant a corn maze or shear sheep outside the classroom, you can come up with plenty of creative ways to include your appreciation in your projects. Post your ag-inspired messages of thanks to social media so members across the country can help share your thankfulness.
- Make a donation in your advisors’ honor.
Honor your advisors’ service by giving back. Find a cause they are passionate, such as agriculture or the environment or animal shelters, and share their enthusiasm with a related charity. Make a donation in your teachers’ names to recognize their contributions while also paying it forward to others.
- Take your appreciation outside of agricultural spaces.
To extend your thanks beyond the classroom, check in with your school administrators and secretaries. Teachers’ lounge areas often have a space for announcements and bulletins. Have every member of your chapter write some words of encouragement on brightly colored paper and post them throughout the lounge. It’s a small effort that can go a long way during a trying year.
- Advocate for your teachers.
For years, your advisors have been developing your skills in leadership and advocacy. Put them to use! Contact your congressperson and advocate for additional benefits for teachers throughout your state. Whether it’s improved health care coverage or increased access to the state board of education, your efforts could make a long-term difference for your teachers.
