Teacher of the Year Award

North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom (NCFB AITC) program will honor a practicing North Carolina teacher who emphasizes agricultural concepts across the various areas of study. Agriculture is an important part of everyone’s life. Clothing, food, fuel, housing, medicine, and much more are rooted in agriculture. Agricultural issues can support the teaching of many academic disciplines.Recognizing this, we would like to honor educators across North Carolina that are effectively integrating agriculture into the classroom curriculum. Enclosed are the award guidelines, and the application. Teachers will be asked to submit award applications that describe their methods for incorporating agricultural concepts into their classrooms.

Ag in the Classroom is a non-profit educational foundation sponsored by NCFB, which was created to promote an awareness and recognition of the importance of the sources of our food and fiber.Agriculture and related agribusinesses is the number one industry in the United States and in North Carolina. The program, comprised of three parts—curricula, professional development workshops for teachers, and county Farm Bureau support—is available to all North Carolina educators at no to sometimes little cost.

Licensed North Carolina teachers currently teaching Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in public, private, charter, or home schools, and are integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula (i.e. reading, writing, math, science, etc.) are encouraged to apply. Agriculture teachers will not be considered for this award. NCFB AITC reserves the right not to select a recipient for this award if applicants do not meet the selection criteria.

A panel of judges will review the applications and evaluate them on the following criteria:

The lesson/unit/project must be creative and interesting for students and help them become more knowledgeable about the food and fiber system. Reference should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning. A lesson/unit/project description (two page limit, single sided) must be included, citing original sources, if adapted. Optional related materials may be included, such as photos, student work sample or citing of additional resources. (20 points)

This portion will focus on the degree to which agricultural concepts have been included in a variety of subjects and disciplines within the grade level. Value will be placed on the approach which teaches agriculture across the curriculum. Evidence is required to demonstrate that the project implements Ag in the Classroom lesson plans and/or related Ag literacy materials. (20 points)

The degree to which the nominee aligns agricultural learning activities to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study must be addressed by the lesson/unit/project in two or more disciplines. Interdisciplinary programs are highly encouraged. (20 points)

The degree of evidence from the teacher’s impact on student attitudes and overall learning directly connected with the lesson/unit/project. The lesson/unit/project should be adaptable for use by other teachers. (20 points)

The degree to which a letter submitted by a school administrator substantiates the nominee’s excellence in, and dedication to, the teaching role. Project motivation should show teacher appreciation for agriculture and its current role in society. (20 points)

The winning teacher will be notified in March 2023, and will be:

*All conference arrangements must be coordinated through NCFB AITC prior to the conference registration deadline. Funds may only be used for allowable travel expenses incurred by the recipient. They are NOT to be used to cover the costs of recipients' guests to the conference. Furthermore, it is at the discretion of NCFB AITC as to how the funds will be disbursed.

2023 NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award (To be submitted by the teacher)