Have you tagged your replacement? I sure would hope by now that you have heard about National Teach Ag Ed Day, February 25, 2010. National Teach Ag Day is a component of the National Teach Ag Campaign, an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education, led by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). It is sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Landmark Nurseries, Delmar Cengage Learning and James Allen Insurance Brokers as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. You should go to www.naae.org/teachag for many resources to get involved including lesson plans for your classes.

Obviously the goal is to encourage our students to consider becoming an agriculture teacher as a career. How many of you have someone to take your place when you retire or move on to other challenges? How many of your students have what it takes to become a great agricultural educator? Have you had a discussion with them about how much you love what you do? Be certain to tag your replacement on February 25^th.

I hope that those of you who attended the NAAE convention in Nashville had a productive trip. We had some great professional development workshops that I am certain many of you took advantage of. If there is an issue you would like addressed by a workshop at our Region 1 conference April 21-25, 2010, in Great Falls, Montana, let me or Kari Hanson know and we will find a presenter. You can make your hotel reservation now. See the attached flyer.

Region 1 teachers have always taken pride in the value we place on advocacy. Many of us have connections with our members of congress. Congressman Travis Childers has filed a resolution with the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing support for National Teach Ag Day, February 25, 2010. Our executive director Jay Jackman will be posting more information on the NAAE Legislative Action Center asking NAAE members to secure their members of Congress as co-sponsors for this resolution. It is time to show the value of the relationship we have developed that allows for communication with our elected officials. Contact your member of congress to have them join congressman Childers in support of this resolution.

As always, if I can be of assistance let me know.

Hugh Mooney

NAAE Region I V.P.

916-319-0488

It is once again that exciting time of year, the beginning of school. It is the time when we develop impressions of our new students and renew our visions of the many possibilities for our returning students. This is also the time of year that some agricultural educators need to break in the new administrator, always an enjoyable task. It is time to remain focused on what really matters, your students.

We have all heard from our educational leaders at the national, state and local level about the need to achieve high standards. Teachers are often told what to teach and the pace that they should teach the material. We hear from those who have been identified by these leaders as a great teacher because they can cover all of the standards at the identified pace. Seldom during those beginning of the year professional development activities do we hear about student engagement or how well students learn. I hope as the year passes, rather then focusing on how well teachers teach, we all concentrate on how we can best engage our students so that they can learn. If that happens, the test scores will take care of themselves.

In the next issue of News and Views we will have information available for the Region 1 meeting to be held in Montana April 21-24, 2010. If you have topics you would like included in our professional development workshops, this would be a good time to share them with me. Also, I hope several of you are making plans to attend the NAAE Convention in Nashville. Both the ACTE and NAAE conventions are housed in the same facility. This will allow greater opportunity for members to select from the many activities available that will best meet their professional development needs.

If you have considered running for office, keep in mind that you must submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the NAAE office by September 15, 2009. The Regional Secretary position is a one-year term and the current regional secretary may run for re-election. I would also encourage you to consider seeking a leadership role on a national committee. The best way to have your voice heard is to have a seat at the table.

As always, if I can be of assistance, let me know.

Hugh Mooney

Region 1 V.P.

916-319-0488