Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Janet Sims Teacher of the Year and Kansas Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Excellence in Teaching Awards

All applicants are eligible for either award. One overall winner will be selected as KFAC's Teacher of the Year and up to five others will be selected for the KFB Excellence in Teaching awards.

Who is eligible?
All district-certified Kansas teachers who currently engage in integrating agricultural into a non-vocational agriculture classroom setting are eligible. Applications will be evaluated on creativity and utilization of agricultural information, interdisciplinary approach, advancement of educational standards and student impact.

How can applications be submitted?
Applications must be postmarked by June 30, 2020. Application forms are available for download from the KFAC website or by calling the KFAC office. Self-nominations are accepted as well as contact nominations.

How will the selected teacher be recognized and awarded?
Five deserving teachers will be selected as regional winners of the KFB Foundation for Agriculture Excellence in Teaching Award. These individuals will be awarded $600 to apply toward attending the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, or a $200 cash prize to purchase agriculture education supplies for his/her classroom.

In addition, the Janet Sims Memorial Teacher of the year will be selected. The teacher of the year will choose between an all-expense paid trip to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in June 2021, or a $250 gift certificate to purchase agriculture education supplies for the classroom, courtesy of High Plains Journal and AG AM in Kansas.

All six selected teachers will be recognized during the 2021 Ag Day festivities, location and date to be determined.

How will applications be evaluated?
A panel of judges who are familiar with agriculture, education, and KFAC will evaluate all applications using the following criteria for selection.

Criteria for Selection
Teachers must use 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 agriculture's impact on individual lives, our state and national heritage, the environment, state and national security, and the economy. The winning teacher will have developed or utilized innovative, interdisciplinary lessons.

Evaluation Criteria
25% Creativity and Utilization of Agricultural Information
The degree to which sound agricultural concepts have been infused into the classroom. Reference should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning.

25% 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% Advancement of Educational Standards
The degree to which the nominee aligns agricultural learning activities with state and/or national or other established education standards.

25% Student Impact
Evidence of nominee’s impact on student attitudes and overall learning regarding agriculture.

Selected Winners’ Expectations

• Be willing to present a lesson plan/ideas learned during the national meeting at a KFAC workshop, location and dates to be determined.

• Attend the KFAC annual meeting in the fall to present to the board of directors how agriculture is being used in his or her classroom.

• Report back to KFAC during the National Ag in the Classroom meeting (if attending) for quotes, information learned during the national conference for press releases and further marketing.

• In addition, the winning teachers may also choose to serve on the KFAC education committee and assist with developing the programs of the foundation.

Applications must be postmarked by June 30,2020 and emailed to ksfac@ksu.edu or mailed to:

Kansas Foundation for Ag in the Classroom
1990 Kimball Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502

For more information click here.