NVATA - The Professional Association
for Agriculture Teachers . . .
November 1997
Contents
The Third Step in Moving Ag Ed
Professional Liability Insurance
Toward One Clear Voice
(MeeCee Baker, 1996-97 NVATA President)
During the past year, agricultural education has made remarkable progress in establishing one clear, concise voice. Two landmark decisions aided this development. Beginning in late spring of 1998, a new Agricultural Education Headquarters, in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, will house The National Council for Agricultural Education and NVATA personnel and the USDE staff with ag ed responsibilities. In addition, replication of profession leadership will be reduced with the recent unification of The Council and the AVA Ag Ed Division Policy Committee, which consists of the division president and secretary, and the past presidents, presidents and president-elects of the NVATA (teachers), AAAE (teacher educators) and the NASAE (state staff). (These two decisions were highlighted in the September 1997 issue of NVATA News & Views.) Both of these commitments call on all ag ed leaders to lay personal interests aside for the betterment of the whole.
While these two steps continue to move ag ed toward
a greater solidarity, a third action would strengthen and unite the profession
even further. Establishing a closer working relationship among NVATA, AAAE
and NASAE would facilitate more efficient and effective programming and
leadership. While each group caters to different clientele and has unique
missions, efforts are often duplicated and issues that concern the entire
profession are often only addressed within each organization and not among
the organizations. Marshall Stewart, the AVA Ag Ed Division President, has
committed to continuing this discussion at our convention in Las Vegas.
Plan to participate with open minds and consensual attitudes so agricultural
education's voice resonates loudly and clearly.
1997 NVATA Convention
December 9-13; Las Vegas