EDUCATION

• Major:  M.S. in Agricultural Education and Communication
• Relevant Coursework:  Experiential Learning Theory and Practice, Agriscience Education Instruction, Agriscience Laboratory Instruction, Interpersonal Leadership
• Cumulative GPA:  4.00/4.00
  

• Major:  B.S. in Agricultural and Extension Education, with High Distinction
• Minors:  International Agriculture
• Cumulative GPA:  3.86/4.00

• Coursework:  Global Economics, Extension Program Planning, Russian language
• Research Project:  Economic analysis of Russian agricultural businesses
• Service Learning:  120 hours of English instruction with over 200 students in grades 6-12, instructed agricultural literacy lessons to students in grades 10-12
  
• Cumulative GPA:  4.00/4.00

TEACHING EXPERIENCES

• Instruct 9th grade Ecology and Honors Ecology courses
• Restructuring Ecology course curriculum to meet Eligible Content Standards for Biology I Keystone Exam
• Initiated school-wide recycling, water, and energy conservation programs
  

• Instructed courses in Agricultural Mechanics, Equine Science, Greenhouse Management, Introduction to Agriculture, Landscape Design, Veterinary Science and Wildlife Management
• Wrote new course, Animal Science and Management, which was taught 2009-2010
• Developed standards-based, cross-curricular lessons tailored specifically to student data from Performance Tracker
• Incorporated learning strategies from professional development opportunities into daily lessons, including: Collins Writing, Learning Focused Schools, and Reading Apprenticeship
  
• Constructed challenging lesson plans for multiple learning and teaching styles including: alternative assessments, cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, inquiry-based instruction, laboratory exercises, outdoor learning environments, technology integration, self-guided instruction, and service learning
  
• Integrated engaging student activities into classroom lessons such as: Geocaching, dog grooming, raising small animals, horseback riding, hide tanning, wild game dinners, habitat rehabilitation, tractor driving, orienteering, landscaping projects, and plant sales
• Created Program of Activities (POA), revitalized Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program, initiated semi-annual leadership trip to National FFA Convention, FFA recruitment efforts led to 30% membership increase, served as ex-officio member of the Elizabethtown Agricultural Advisory Committee

• Designed, coordinated, and setup educational displays at more than 30 fairs
• Researched, compiled, and managed resources for PDAs Marketplace for the Mind
• Updated curriculum/designed resource kits for agricultural awareness presentations
• Compiled database of agricultural community stakeholders for the 10 counties in Region V
  

• 15 week in-field student teaching experience with students in grades 8-12 teaching 7 periods each day
• Units completed included: Ag Mechanics (Welding, Cold Metalworking, Masonry), Aquaculture, Food Science (Maple Syrup), Soil Science, Horticulture, Small Animal Science (Dogs, Cats, Fish), Agronomy

• Coordinated all residence life activities for the program including transportation, staff-led recreational activities, staff/community meetings, and program newsletter
• Managed a $250,000 budget, a team of eight counselors, and program technology resources
• Responsible for 12 male scholars as their counselor and teacher’s assistant for scholar classes

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

• Trade mission to Morocco to analyze export market access for US grain, feasibility studies in major port cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir and Tangier
• Met with US ambassador to Morocco to discuss WTO restrictions on trade/recommendations for increasing market access and stimulating local economies
• Study tour of agriculture of Andalusia region in Southern Spain; focus on wine, grain, dairy, olive, and livestock production; cultural experiences in cities of Seville, Jerez, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada, and Torremolinos

• Two week international trade mission which fostered a broad understanding of international agricultural education through visits to The University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, various agricultural high schools, and meetings at the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, and the USDA Tropical Research Experiment Station
• Toured agricultural facilities including; coffee and banana production, livestock feedlots, dairy farms, Bacardi, and Merck Pharmaceuticals

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES

• Deliver presentations which influence and activate teachers and students at the primary, secondary, collegiate and community level to share the importance of agriculture; conducted 20 agricultural literacy visits in Pennsylvania
• Spread the positive message of agriculture based upon foundations of economic importance, environmental stewardship, sustainable agriculture and sound science
• Conducted 20 hours of agricultural literacy instruction at Gymnasium № 1576 in Moscow, Russia in April 2006 as part of my Agricultural Ambassador experience

• Assistant Youth Program Manager working with FFA and 4-H Programs managing youth enrollment and reports
• Spearhead statistical analysis of demographics from 102,379 students, 9,677 volunteer leaders, and 123,568 individual student projects from 67 county reports into spreadsheets, briefings, and fact sheets for Pennsylvania 4-H, National 4-H, and Penn State Cooperative Extension
• Assisted in the coordination of state governmental education program and leadership conferences for 4-H youth across Pennsylvania

• Traveled over 30,000 miles representing the 8,000 Pennsylvania FFA Association members at board meetings, promotional events, fundraisers, and conventions
• Conducted 35 educational school visits, 5 state-wide leadership conferences, 2 national leadership conferences, and traveled to Puerto Rico for Export for Scholars Program
• Spoke at over 75 events including inaugural ball for then newly elected Governor Edward G. Rendell, the National FFA Convention attended by 52,000 members, and presided over the 2003 State FFA Convention attended by 1,500 students

CERTIFICATIONS

• Instructional I Agriculture (K-12)
• Instructional I General Science
• Instructional I Biology
• Instructional I Environmental Education (K-12)
  
• ServeSafe (Food Safety Certification)
• National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operator, Community Lead Instructor
• PA Private Pesticide Applicator
• PA Class B CDL Endorsed S, P

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• 2007-2010        Lancaster County Agriculture Teachers Association
  
• 2006-Present    National Association of Agricultural Educators
• 2006-Present    Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators
• 2005-Present    National FFA Alumni
• 2005-Present    Pennsylvania FFA Alumni
• 2003-Present    Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association