Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

2012 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Program

application packet (MS Word, pdf)

December, 2011

Dear Ag in the Classroom Teachers:

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is pleased to announce the 2012 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year program. This competitive program will focus statewide attention on the critical role of teaching. Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom (OAITC) will honor one pre-K-8 Oklahoma teacher who emphasizes agricultural concepts in curriculum.

Applications are invited for this year’s award. Enclosed is the application packet. The deadline for postmark of completed applications is January 31, 2012. Submit to Ag in the Classroom, Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. All candidates will receive notification of the results by February 28, 2012.

Who can apply for the 2012 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year?

Educators who meet the following criteria:

Certified teachers currently engaged in preK-8 classroom instruction
Teachers integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula
Teachers who have attended OAITC professional development and/or the OAITC summer professional development

What is Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom?

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a joint project of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. The purpose of Ag in the Classroom is building agriculture literacy. Curriculum developed to that end uses agriculture-related activities and research-based background material to teach pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade core curriculum in language arts, math, science, reading, social studies and the visual arts.

What is the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award?

One preK-8th grade teacher will be recognized for his/her creative efforts to teach students about the importance of agriculture. The OAITC Teacher of the Year will be recognized during Ag Day festivities at the state capitol in the spring, and the teacher will be presented with a plaque and a $500 honorarium. During the summer OAITC On the Road professional development, the OAITC Teacher of the Year will share his/herO AITC teaching experiences. In addition, the OAITC Teacher of the Year will be responsible for serving on a review panel to select recipients of the OAITC/Oklahoma Pork Council grants for the spring and fall semester during his/her tenure. Registration, travel and accommodations for the OAITC Teacher of the Year will be provided to attend the 2012 AITC National Conference.

What are the criteria for selection?

The teacher must utilize agricultural information and/or materials within the classroom curriculum in an effort to assist students in learning the importance of agriculture. Learning activities may include, but are not limited to, an understanding of the impact of agriculture on personal lives, our state and national heritage, the environment, state and national security and the economy. Innovative and interdisciplinary programs are encouraged.

Evaluation Criteria

Creativity and utilization of agricultural information—the degree to which sound agricultural concepts have been infused into the classroom curriculum. Reference should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning. - 25 points

Interdisciplinary approach—the degree to which agricultural concepts have been included in a variety of subjects and disciplines. Value will be placed on the approach, which teaches agriculture across the curriculum. - 25 points

Advancement of educational standards—the degree to which the nominee aligns agricultural learning activities with state, national and/or other established education standards. - 25 points

Student impact—evidence of teacher’s impact on student attitudes and overall learning. - 25 points

How will applications be evaluated?

A panel of judges familiar with agriculture, education and OAITC will evaluate all applications.

How can applications be submitted?

Submit the following:

The completed information form
The completed application form
Two letters of endorsement (one from an administrator and one from a colleague or parent)

Deadline for postmark of completed applications is January 31, 2012.
Submit to:
OKLAHOMA AG IN THE CLASSROOM
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTRY
2800 N. LINCOLN
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom 2012 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Program application packet (MS Word, pdf) December, 2011 Dear Ag in the Classroom Teachers: Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is pleased to announce the 2012 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year program. This competitive program will focus statewide attention on the critical role of teaching. Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom (OAITC) will honor one pre-K-8 Oklahoma teacher who emphasizes agricultural concepts in curriculum. Applications are invited for this year’s award. Enclosed is the application packet. The deadline for postmark of completed applications is January 31, 2012. Submit to Ag in the Classroom, Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. All candidates will receive notification of the results by February 28, 2012. Who can apply for the 2012 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year? Educators who meet the following criteria: Certified teachers currently engaged in preK-8 classroom instruction Teachers integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula Teachers who have attended OAITC professional development and/or the OAITC summer professional development What is Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom? Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a joint project of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. The purpose of Ag in the Classroom is building agriculture literacy. Curriculum developed to that end uses agriculture-related activities and research-based background material to teach pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade core curriculum in language arts, math, science, reading, social studies and the visual arts. What is the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award? One preK-8th grade teacher will be recognized for his/her creative efforts to teach students about the importance of agriculture. The OAITC Teacher of the Year will be recognized during Ag Day festivities at the state capitol in the spring, and the teacher will be presented with a plaque and a $500 honorarium. During the summer OAITC On the Road professional development, the OAITC Teacher of the Year will share his/herO AITC teaching experiences. In addition, the OAITC Teacher of the Year will be responsible for serving on a review panel to select recipients of the OAITC/Oklahoma Pork Council grants for the spring and fall semester during his/her tenure. Registration, travel and accommodations for the OAITC Teacher of the Year will be provided to attend the 2012 AITC National Conference. What are the criteria for selection? The teacher must utilize agricultural information and/or materials within the classroom curriculum in an effort to assist students in learning the importance of agriculture. Learning activities may include, but are not limited to, an understanding of the impact of agriculture on personal lives, our state and national heritage, the environment, state and national security and the economy. Innovative and interdisciplinary programs are encouraged. Evaluation Criteria Creativity and utilization of agricultural information—the degree to which sound agricultural concepts have been infused into the classroom curriculum. Reference should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning. - 25 points Interdisciplinary approach—the degree to which agricultural concepts have been included in a variety of subjects and disciplines. Value will be placed on the approach, which teaches agriculture across the curriculum. - 25 points Advancement of educational standards—the degree to which the nominee aligns agricultural learning activities with state, national and/or other established education standards. - 25 points Student impact—evidence of teacher’s impact on student attitudes and overall learning. - 25 points How will applications be evaluated? A panel of judges familiar with agriculture, education and OAITC will evaluate all applications. How can applications be submitted? Submit the following: The completed information form The completed application form Two letters of endorsement (one from an administrator and one from a colleague or parent) Deadline for postmark of completed applications is January 31, 2012. Submit to: OKLAHOMA AG IN THE CLASSROOM OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTRY 2800 N. LINCOLN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.