NoVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 | NAAE CONVENTION

In This Issue

Front Page

President's Message

Washington Beat

Bylaw Amendment

Know Your NAAE Benefits

Advocacy, Professional Development, and Teacher Recruitment at the NAAE Convention

NAAE at the National FFA Convention

2011 NAAE Convention Details

Meet the Candidates

Innercity Students Learn Soilless Growing Techniques

Ideas Unlimited:
A Jar that Demonstrates Forest Succession

National Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award Winner Elizabeth Knapp

Outstanding Teacher Award Program
Mike Patrick

Teach Mentor: Damon Morgan

Teach Ag Update
Teach Ag Day State Contest Winner Spotlight - Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators

Communities of Practice
Ideas to Share

NAAE Calendar

Small Hr
Teacher Mentor: Damon Morgan

Damon Morgan
2010 Teacher Mentor
Region V

 

Damon Morgan has been an agriculture teacher at Morristown West High School in Morristown, Tennessee since 1971. In that time, he has worked with his co- teachers to develop an agriculture program that provides great opportunities for students, other teachers, the school, and community. With four areas of study from which to choose: natural resources, structures, horticulture systems, and horticulture production, students are able to find an area where they can excel.  Because the agriculture program is based on the agriculture in the community, students are also able to find local businesses where they can apply their classroom learning.
           
Through the development of his program, Morgan has been able to mentor many students, colleagues, and aspiring teachers. David Tripucka, a former student and the colleague who nominated him for the Teacher Mentor award, credits Morgan for his own decision to become an agriculture teacher. With Morgan’s guidance and inspiration, Tripucka chose a career in agricultural education and was given the opportunity to return to Morristown West High School to teach with Morgan.
           
“For the past fourteen years, I have had the pleasure of working side by side with Mr. Morgan as a fellow agriculture teacher,” said Tripucka. “I just would like one day to be half the teacher, overall person, and friend to students that he has been to me.”
           
In addition to Tripucka, Morgan has also mentored many student teachers, early-career teachers, and former students who also chose careers in agricultural education. He is currently mentoring a new teacher at Morristown West High School.

Each of the six regional Teacher Mentor award winners received a travel stipend to attend the NAAE convention in Las Vegas and was recognized with a plaque during convention.  CEV Multimedia sponsors the Teacher Mentor Award. For more information about the Teacher Mentor award and other NAAE awards, visit http://www.naae.org/awards/applications/.

 

print