2023-2026 NAAE Region III Vice President | Agricultural Educator at Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School, Minnesota
Email: paarsvold@isd2899.k12.mn.us
Career Profile:
Agricultural Educator in Minnesota for 33 years
Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education, University of Minnesota
Master of Science in Agriculture Education and Communication, University of Minnesota
Professional Accomplishments:
NAAE Region III Vice President (2023-2026)
NAAE Region III Secretary (2020-2023)
Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame (2017)
Minnesota Farm Bureau Advisor of the Year (2013)
ACTE Carl Perkins Community Service Award National Finalist - 2023
Value of NAAE:
NAAE is important to me because it brings together people who share a passion for agricultural education and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of students.
For over 33 years, I have had the privilege of being an agricultural educator, and NAAE has played an important role in my professional journey. Through professional development, leadership opportunities, advocacy, and networking, NAAE has helped me grow as an educator and connect with incredible people from across the country.
To me, one of the greatest values of NAAE is relationships. We may come from different states, teach different subjects, and have different experiences, but we share many of the same challenges and successes. NAAE provides a network of educators who understand what we do, support one another, and are always willing to share ideas and lend a helping hand.
As someone who has remained in the classroom every day, I appreciate having an organization that advocates for our profession and works to support agricultural educators at every stage of their careers. Whether it is professional development, teacher recruitment and retention, or simply connecting with someone who understands the challenges we face, NAAE makes a positive difference.
Agricultural education has given me so much over the years, and NAAE has provided me with opportunities to give back. I believe strongly that when we support agricultural educators, we strengthen our programs, our profession, and ultimately, the opportunities we provide for our students.
For me, the true value of NAAE is its people, the relationships we build, and the collective commitment to making agricultural education better for everyone.
What do you want to accomplish as you serve as President-Elect in our organization?
As president-elect, one of my primary goals would be to ensure that NAAE continues to be an organization where every agricultural educator feels supported, valued, and connected, regardless of their pathway into the profession.
We need to continue providing strong professional development, resources, and networking opportunities for educators who have entered through traditional teacher preparation programs, while also recognizing the growing number of educators entering our classrooms through lateral-entry and alternative pathways. These educators bring valuable experiences and perspectives to agricultural education but may have different needs when it comes to classroom management, curriculum development, FFA advising, and understanding the many responsibilities of an agricultural educator.
I believe NAAE has an important role in ensuring that all educators have access to the tools, mentorship, and professional support they need to be successful. This means listening to our members, identifying gaps in support, and working collaboratively to strengthen the resources and opportunities available to them.
Equally important is building relationships and creating a sense of belonging. Whether someone is in their first year of teaching or their 30th, I want them to know that NAAE is their professional home, an organization where they can turn for guidance, encouragement, and support.
Ultimately, my goal is to help strengthen our profession by supporting the people who make it successful—our agricultural educators. By listening to our members, supporting their needs, and leading together, we can continue building an organization that serves every agricultural educator and strengthens agricultural education for generations to come.
2023-2026 NAAE Region VI Vice President | Director of Development and Leadership at Georgia
Agriculture Education, Georgia
Email: naaeregionvivicepresidentag@gmail.com
Career Profile:
Director of Development and Leadership at Georgia
Agriculture Education
Agricultural Educator (1992-2022)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education, University of Tennessee
Knoxville
Master of Education, Educational Administration and Supervision,
Lincoln Memorial University
Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) Educational Administration and Supervision, Lincoln Memorial University
Professional Accomplishments:
NAAE Region V Vice President (2023-2026)
NAAE Region V Secretary (2020-2023)
NAAE Region V Outstanding Agriculture Teacher Award Recipient (2016)
NAAE Region V Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award Recipient (2018)
ACTE Lifetime Achievement Award
NAAE is important to me because agricultural education changed my life, and I believe every educator deserves the support, encouragement, and opportunities to experience that same kind of impact. As a first-generation college student from a small family farm, FFA and my agriculture teacher helped me see possibilities I could not yet see for myself and inspired me to become an agricultural educator. More than 30 years in this profession have reinforced my belief that when educators are connected, supported, and encouraged to grow, they make a lasting difference in the lives of students. The value of NAAE is its ability to unite our profession, amplify our collective voice, develop leaders, advocate for agricultural education, and ensure that no educator has to navigate this profession alone. Through professional development, mentorship, networking, and opportunities to lead, NAAE helps educators become stronger teachers, better advocates, and more effective leaders. At its heart, NAAE is a grassroots organization built on the belief that we accomplish more when we share our experiences, learn from one another, and work together for a common purpose.
Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand that the strength of agricultural education rests on the people who dedicate their lives to serving students and communities. As a teacher, mentor, and leader at the state and national levels, I have learned that our greatest responsibility is not simply to protect the profession we inherited, but to strengthen it for those who will follow us. As President-Elect, I want to help turn our shared vision into meaningful action by listening to our members, strengthening collaboration among states and regions, and focusing our efforts on the issues that matter most to agricultural educators. That means investing in teacher recruitment, retention, and recognition; expanding mentorship and professional development opportunities; increasing awareness of the value of NAAE membership; and ensuring that first-year teachers, alternatively certified educators, experienced professionals, and retired teachers all have a meaningful place in our organization. It also means preparing our profession for the future by embracing innovation, while preserving the strength of the three-circle model of agricultural education: classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experiences, and FFA.
I believe leadership is measured not by the title we hold, but by the people we develop, the relationships we build, and the progress we help others achieve. As President-Elect, I will work to strengthen the connection between NAAE's national leadership and the educators serving in every state, region, and community. I want to help translate member feedback and strategic priorities into practical resources, stronger partnerships, increased engagement, and visible results. We must continue telling our story more effectively, demonstrate the value of membership, and build partnerships that expand our reach and strengthen our resources. Most importantly, we must continue creating a culture where every member knows their voice matters and their contributions make a difference. I will bring a servant-leadership mindset, a commitment to collaboration, and a willingness to do the work necessary and continue moving our profession forward. Agricultural education changed my life, and I want to help NAAE continue changing lives by investing in educators, strengthening our collective voice, and creating opportunities for the next generation of agricultural educators and the students they will serve.
What do you want to accomplish as you serve as President-Elect in our organization?As President-Elect, I will work collaboratively with NAAE leadership, staff, regional vice presidents, state associations, and members to strengthen the organization and keep educators at the center of our decisions.
My priorities will be:I believe NAAE is a place where agricultural educators are united by a common purpose, even when we bring different experiences, perspectives, and ideas to the table. We will not always agree on every issue, but we should always be able to work together with mutual respect and a shared commitment to our students and our profession.
My goal is to continue building a connected, responsive NAAE where members feel heard, supported, and proud to belong and where our collective voice helps agricultural educators and their students succeed.
