The Agricultural Education Program Team with Clemson Extension continues to operate to support its teachers and students throughout South Carolina. Having recently completed a virtual FFA Convention to end the 2019-20 school year, the team turned its focus on providing in-service to the 150 Agricultural Education teachers across the state. Resources are currently being added to the Agricultural Education Program Team website. In addition, the team will provide in-services for both teachers and school administrators through the SC Department of Education’s Education and Business Summit, which will be held virtually July 21–23.
However, the highlight of the summer programs will be a virtual agricultural teacher conference to be held at the end of July. On July 23, agricultural teachers will have an opportunity to assemble with teachers in their area of the state for a virtual region meeting. Plans for the upcoming year will be discussed as well as providing opportunities for feedback from teachers on their needs and suggestions for how they might assist each other. In addition, the SC Association of Agricultural Educators will release a virtual awards presentation video on the evening of the 23rd, followed by a series of online workshops. Workshops will be held July 28–30 and will be conducted live by members of the Agricultural Education Program Team as well as South Carolina ETV, Piedmont Technical College, and agricultural teachers. The programs will range from resources for managing an FFA Chapter, to conducting an adult education program, to eLearning opportunities and resources. All teachers attending will receive professional development credit.
The pandemic has forced teachers out of their classroom, and, as a result, they have had to learn alternative ways of teaching. The Clemson Extension Agricultural Education Program Team understands the challenges that teachers and students are facing and are working to ensure that every available resource is provided to them to ensure that teachers can continue to teach and, more importantly, students can continue to learn.
Submitted: by William Keels, Director South Carolina Agricultural Education
