The Southern Door County School District’s Agriscience Instructor, Jeanna James, was recognized as the state winner for the Teacher Turn the Key Award during the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE) 95th annual Professional Development Conference, June 25-28, 2012 in Green Bay, Wis. The Teacher Turn the Key Award is a scholarship sponsored by RAM Trucks for NAAE (National Association of Agricultural Educators) members who are in their second, third, or fourth year of teaching to attend special programming during NAAE’s annual conference. The scholarship covers all travel, lodging, meals, and registration for the conference. This year’s conference will be in Atlanta, Georgia, November 27- December 1.
James was also recognized as the Sectional Winner for the Outstanding Young Member Award for a second year in a row. James was nominated by her peers and had to complete an application for the award. In the application, James highlighted that in her 4 years of teaching she had many accomplishments. Among them: a 75% completion rate of student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience Projects in the classroom and creating community contacts for guest speakers and field trips.
Overall, James had a busy week at the conference. She is currently serving on the board of directors as the Section 9 Alternate Vice-President. As a board member, responsibilities include assisting in the planning and facilitating of the annual Professional Development Conference as well as overseeing the administration of the WAAE. Each member elected to the board will serve a two year term as an alternate followed by 2 years as vice-president of the organization. James is also chairman of the Resources Committee and presented a workshop entitled “PDPs for Initial Educators” to thirteen WAAE members.
WAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators in Wisconsin. Members include 295 middle school, high school, technical college and university educators. The focus of the association is to provide professional development, legislative support and educational resources for teachers to enhance their local agriculture education programs.
Photo: Jeanna James is congratulated by Mark Denk, Instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College, as the State Winner of the Teacher Turn the Key Award
