![]() Greetings, NY FFA! This convention was an exciting one. We had teams and competitors in every single event. Our National Officer Candidate, Morgan Shaver, represented the very best of our state with grace and enthusiasm. State Officers made some of the most compelling, logical arguments for a key constitutional change I’ve seen in five years observing and helping with the national delegate process. On stage, NY students shone – students from Granville, Stockbridge Valley and Tri-Valley lit up the stage in the band and chorus. Behind the scenes, NY alumni made convention work. Several key roles were filled by OUR FFA alumni members. The Expo was loaded with former members helping students make strong decisions about college and careers. And of course, every NY student had a chance to recognize that they can achieve the highest levels of leadership in FFA as one of OUR members, Kenny Quick, served the last few days of his National Officer year of service. This success can be credited to the advisors who have built this association with their dedication to students and to agriculture. We’re starting to see greater success on a level beyond New York – and it is well deserved. But just as the officers challenged our members – we have room to grow as well. I think a phenomenal example of this is the Tri-Valley FFA earning the national Model of Innovation award for Community Development. This is not the first time they’ve applied, nor is it the first time they’ve been a finalist – but after years in the making, the chapter was finally recognized for something they’ve been doing well – and improving steadily – for years. As a state, we do many things well. Our classrooms are packed with relevance and taught by caring teachers. Our FFA members are eager and filling state level events. Student SAEs are diverse and there are some phenomenal projects throughout the state. The things your chapters do for students, for your schools and for your communities are practically unrivaled. I believe we can continue to see more NY students and schools being recognized by continuing to emphasize and facilitate the recognition process. We can take student development and the level of instruction we’re delivering to the next level. I’m going to do my part from the state office to provide as much support as possible, and as a state we can continue to grow the value of what we do for our students and our chapters. A little success brings a desire for greater success – and this is an exciting time to not only celebrate what NY FFA has already accomplished but to envision where we will go, together. I believe we’ll see schools making impacts in their community’s fight against hunger; students developing better speaking skills than we’ve ever seen on the local level; SAE projects that are garnering attention beyond our state convention stage and chapters being recognized for the full value of what they are delivering. Let’s start by telling our story. I’d encourage you to have your students write an article about their convention experience and send it to local media. Have them connect with your local supporters – partners, administrators, school boards – to share with them the value of what they just did. Sit down with your chapter officers to identify how they want to grow their membership and grow your chapter’s success. Capitalize on the post-convention enthusiasm. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. Congratulations on all the success you earned this week in Indianapolis. Thank you for making me proud to say that I represent NY FFA. Sincerely, Juleah Juleah Tolosky NY FFA Executive Secretary ![]() The following content was a series of 2 emails sent out to Cornell's "Ag Ed List-serve". They were co-authored by Dr. Travis Park and Dean Kathryn Boor. After reading this email, if you would like to contact these individuals, please make sure you email both individuals the same message so responses can be tracked. Plus, the following link is from the Cornell Daily Sun: Cornell Will Not Renew Masters Program in Teaching. Dear Alumni and Friends of the MAT Program and Education Minor,
Below you will find an email that has been shared with our students yesterday afternoon. As you can see, this decision is the result of an ongoing dialogue between the college and the program, and we are confident that this outcome will continue to serve the needs of our current students and future students who are interested in pursuing education as a career choice. Please let us know of any questions or concerns. Thank you, Travis Park ([email protected]) Associate Professor Director, Cornell Teacher Education Kathryn J. Boor ([email protected]) Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear students, Through collaborative discussions between CALS leadership and faculty within the MAT/education minor programs, a decision has been made to not pursue reaccreditation when our current accreditation expires. The College has reached an articulation agreement with Ithaca College for the MAT program; the popular Education minor will remain, and continue to be developed, as will a majority of the courses in the minor. Thus, students interested in educational studies at Cornell will be able to complete the minor with challenging and relevant courses. Further, completing the Education minor will prepare students to complete teacher certification through the Ithaca College Master of Arts in Teaching. We are committed to ensuring that our current students have every opportunity to certify as teachers. Students currently enrolled, or soon to apply to the MAT, have the opportunity to certify if they graduate by December 2013. We have requested an extension of our current accreditation to July 31, 2014, so students able to complete by that date will be able to certify if we receive an extension. We are pleased with CTE’s recent growth. We will continue to support students and maintain our nearly 100% placement of graduates. Our faculty have a strong commitment to consistently and successfully serving our students. We are proud of our Cornell Teacher Education program, one of the few in the nation that focuses solely upon the preparation of science teachers. This summer, CTE was awarded a National Science Foundation Robert F. Noyce Capacity Building grant to recruit science teachers and build capacity within the program. However, we will be modifying the activities associated with the grant to focus on further developing the education minor, recruiting science teachers, and building strategic alliances with other teacher preparation programs. The decision to not seek reaccreditation follows the 2012 CALS announcement to close the Education Department. This decision was made as part of the university-wide strategic effort, Reimagining Cornell. With the closing of the Education Department, the majority of professors have either relocated to other academic departments or left Cornell University; two retired and two obtained positions at other universities. Given the departure of core teacher education professors, and the intention of no replacement hires, reaccreditation will not be pursued. We will continue to work to provide excellent learning and encouragement for Cornell students who wish to find challenging and rewarding careers in all fields of education. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to Travis, Bryan, Jeff, or Bobbi. We will keep you informed about the extension of our current accreditation. Thank you, Travis Park Associate Professor Director, Cornell Teacher Education Kathryn J. Boor Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ![]() Here is a quick plug for Oswegatchie's short promo video used to promote maple sugaring education and syrup production. We have had a tremendous amount of progress with our sugaring operation the past 2 years. Oswegatchie's resident sugar-maker, Jamie Thibodeau has led the charge in making expansions of sugar lines, partnering with local producers, and acquiring new equipment like a new evaporator and a vacuum system. Click here to learn more our maple education programs offered every March and April! Thank you to all of the individuals and entities that have provided donations, sweat equity, and grant writing to make our maple improvements possible. On Behalf of Todd Lighthall, Bill Waite Oswegatchie Program Director |
The New York FFA Foundation The NYSFFALTF, Inc., chartered in 1946 by the New York State Board of Regents, is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that provides businesses, associations, other foundations, and individuals the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our New York youth. Our mission is to build and maintain a financial base that will allow the New York FFA to generate well-educated and career focused productive citizens. Email our Director at [email protected] . Archives
February 2021
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