Science Class Visit - Sky Op Drones

 I Had the Privilege of Observing Mr. Anthony Casella Teach His Sky Op Drones Class

Students Flying Drones

Fun and Friendly Environment

Mr. Casella, or "Mr. C" as the kids call him, is an inviting teacher as he readily uses humor and wit in his conversation with students. When I visited, the students were flying drones in the school cafeteria which was really fascinating to me. 

The objective of the lesson was for student's to become familiar with the controls of a drone. Even as students were spaced out in the lunchroom, Mr. C was always readily available to answer questions and address any concerns a student may have. 

Practical Industry Knowledge 

Mr. C exhibited a great deal of business like behavior and enthusiasm for the topic as he has a history working in automation, robotics, and engineering. Prior to teaching, Mr. C was the CEO of his own electronics design and manufacturing company. 

Now Mr. C teaches at the Big Spring High School and serves as an adjunct professor at Shippensburg University where he teaches electrical engineering. This is an example of an excellent educator with practical industry knowledge! 

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Visit - Brayden Myers

Big Spring High School Senior Brayden Myers Mounts Himself For Success With An Intuitive Taxidermy Business

Using Flesh Eating Beetles for Taxidermy

Brayden Holding a Clean Skull

Brayden Myers of Big Spring High School shares "my dad and I started doing deer heads when I was really young". He is referring to the passion project which later became his Supervised Agricultural Experience or SAE. 

At first, Brayden and his father would remove animal carcass by boiling a deer head until there was nothing but a clean skull. This process worked well, however they noticed it left the remaining skull weak which made the task of mounting a deer head more challenging.

Intuitively, Brayden began searching for ways to make the cleaning process more efficient without leaving the skull weak for mounting. He says "about two years ago, I discovered I could buy flesh eating beetles online."

Using the flesh eating beetles to clean skulls was very effective because the integrity of the skull remained intact and little processing was needed after being left to the creeping carnivorous creatures. Brayden houses his little helpers in an old chest freezer that he converted into a beetle base.

Cleaning After The Beetles

Looking Towards the Future

Brayden plans to continue taxidermy work into his adult life by expanding the business which started as a father-son project. 

I believe this young man has a great deal of potential and exhibits a promising entrepreneurial spirit. Brayden has no fear in trying new things and working to improve processes, even if he has to fix a few bugs along the way. See what I did there?

Going to the Principal's Office - Mr. Jason Shover - Big Spring High School Administration

Last week I had the pleasure of chatting with Mr. Jason Shover, the Principal of Big Spring High School in Newville, PA. Mr. Shover isn't afraid of being an unconventional trail blazer in his field. Here are the results of our conversation.

Jason Shover, BSHS Principal

What Is Your History in Education?

After graduating with a B.S. in Elementary Education, Mr. Shover began his teaching career in the alternative education space. He shared that his main priority while in alternative education was to keep students in the building by focusing on individual needs. I personally admired the amount of dedication this feat must have required from him because he had to be well rounded as he worked with a variety of students in grades 6-12. 

Later in his career, Mr. Shover took role as Vice Principal at the Mechanicsburg Middle School. During his time as Vice Principal, Mr. Shover began to set himself apart from the traditional school administrator. Shover was never afraid to wear casual dress, show off his impressive ink, and roll up to school in a jeep without doors and windows. 

The non-conforming piece of Shover's personality is what I find to be most intriguing. He isn't afraid to be different and I believe this works to his advantage in a few ways. First, being that students likely feel more comfortable with him. Even as I spoke with him in his office, I never felt intimidated, which is by design. Just by being genuine, Mr. Shover is easily approached by students and anyone seeking his assistance. 

"The Marketplace"

Shover's intuitive thinking came in handy as he fostered the formation of a "Marketplace" at the Mechanicsburg Middle School which combatted food insecurity in a rather creative way. In efforts to reduce the stigma of receiving charity, students were able to obtain food at a school Marketplace that could be taken home for families. The Marketplace is an excellent example of community partnership as it was filled by donations from local organizations and companies. Mr. Shover was even recognized as the 2019 Pennsylvania Vice Principal of the Year mostly and in part because of the original ideas that he brought to life. 

What Is the Role Of High School Administration?

When asked this question, Mr. Shover was quick to include that he wants to "ensure voices are heard", by representing everyone, regardless of who they may be. It is even common practice for Shover to carry a pen and notepad everywhere he goes. He says it is important that he creates time for folks to share their thoughts and will make a note to touch back with them if needed. 

As a follow up question, I asked how being a principal is different from being a teacher. Shover responded by noting that as building principal, he must take in consideration the requests of an entire school and community stakeholders. Furthermore, it is imperative that he opens communication with other buildings in the district as we consider the profile of a graduate at Big Spring High School. Therefore, as an administrator, "I focus on seeing a larger perspective", says Shover. My personal opinion is that Mr. Shover is perfect for this role as he has proven to be an excellent advocate for others. 

Mr. Jason Shover - A Progressive and Community Oriented School Administrator

As indicated by our conversation, Mr. Shover is just getting warmed up in his career as a school administrator. Shover shared that he is currently pursuing his doctoral degree which helps him continue seeing the broader perspective. It will be exciting to track his progress and it was a pleasure to work alongside Jason Shover as a member of the Bulldog Family. 

Ever, Always Strong! Bulldogs!

"At the end of the day, it's all about the kids." 
-Mr. Jason Shover, Big Spring High School Principal

Week 14 As the Intern - You're Gonna Miss This

 Only One More Week In My Student Teaching Internship... And I'm Feeling It!

These Students Are One of A Kind

With only one week left in student teaching, I am wondering how I will maximize my time with the students I have met here at the Big Spring High School. You see, I'm sort of not supposed to say this, but some of these students are legitimately my friends. Of course when managing a classroom, the students are students, not friends. 

Nevertheless, in conversations and interactions, I feel that I've built relationships with these individuals. Likely because I'll probably never teach a group of such well mannered students again. I'm not exaggerating when I say that. I am impressed with the caliber of students that are leaving Big Spring High School. Surely, I will miss them.

I've Got Excellent Mentors

My cooperating teachers have been an excellent asset for a young buck such as myself. Moreover, they've never failed to give me sound advice and effective feedback. As I proceed in the future, I hope to find mentors like them regardless of my occupation. Furthermore, I hope to use what I learned from them to be a better mentor for others in the future.

Not only my cooperating teachers, but all the teachers at the Big Spring High School have left their impact on me as a group of professionals seeking to maximize their potential as educators.

It's Going to Get Hard... And That's Okay!

I'm preparing to leave this internship, which has me focused on the unknown and difficult facets of being an adult. Even recently, I had a birthday which reminded by the adulthood is rapidly approaching. Believe it or not, I'm ready for the struggles because after all, these struggles almost always fuel growth. Time to rock out one last week of student teaching!

Newspaper Article - Being New in Newville

Being New in Newville
Justin Kurtz
PSU Student Teacher; Agricultural and Extension Education

Hello! My name is Justin Kurtz, and I’m a Penn State Student Majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education which is another way for me to say that I’m going to school to be a Rockstar teacher like the ones at the Big Spring High School.

For the past 14 weeks or so, I have been a student teacher in the Big Spring High School where I’ve had the opportunity to stand on the other side of the desk as I’ve taught courses such as Food Science, Leadership, Equine Science, Small Animal Science, Plant and Greenhouse Science, Essential Home Projects, and Small Gas Engines. 

I’ve learned many things these past 14 weeks, including that a school district or high school works just like a Small Gas Engine. In that a small gas engine is composed of many parts of various sizes and functions that work together to serve a common purpose which is to exert power. So too is a school district composed of parts which I’ve identified as a supportive administration, an active community, and an excellent team of teachers, faculty, and staff. All of which work together to exert power. 

A supportive administration was evidenced in a meeting with Mr. Jason Shover when he shared his thoughts on the role of school administration. He mentioned that as Big Spring High School Building Principal, he must take a more holistic approach as he considers the needs of all departments and individuals. He says foremostly though, “it’s all about the kids”.

An active community became very apparent to me after coming to my first school board meeting. I even saw this active community before I made it to Newville. When asked by Sherisa Nailor, one of three FFA advisors at the Big Spring High School, Ms. Donna Webster opened her home and family to a student teacher like me. I can assure you that such a relationship between teachers and community is not one that can be taken for granted.

Lastly, I got first hand experience with excellent teachers, faculty, and staff by learning from the best in the state, and country depending upon the criteria. Working alongside Mrs. Sherisa Nailor, past President of the National Association of Agricultural Educators, I recognized the importance of working in cooperation with others to accomplish bigger picture tasks at hand. Alongside Mrs. SaraBeth Fulton, I took notice of the imperative role teachers play in a students life as she eagerly offered herself to hear student concerns which ranged from academic progress to how to cope with a poor home life. Ms. Madelyn Bentz showed me how new teachers pour themselves into providing a high quality education, even outside of contract hours which is different from many other professions. 

Trust me when I say that these are merely 3 examples of excellent teachers, faculty, and staff because I’ve witnessed the dedication put forth by all at the Big Spring High School, as they work to support students in any way they can. 

So I’ve identified three generic components to the Small Gas Engine that we call the Big Spring School District. A supportive administration, an active community, and excellent teachers, faculty, and staff. As you may notice, I have not identified students as a part of this machine. That is because the students are the power that we produce.

This generation of students are challenged to solve the problems that we can’t. And the work they do will not only impact us here in Newville, Pennsylvania, or the United States, but rather the entire world because we are global citizens. Even my university supervisor, Dr. Kevin Curry, gave a positive testament to our students as he shared that I likely wouldn’t have it as easy if I went somewhere else. 

I believe that he is correct and that he is able to provide this compliment because of work that is being done right here in our community, and in our schools. I’d like to say thank you for allowing me to participate in my student teaching experience here at Big Spring, and that I believe that as long as we continue to work together, our Small Gas Engine will remain ever, always, strong. 

Teachers Talk to Teachers

 Unity Among the Ag Ed Profession is a Must and is Practiced Often

PAAE Meetings

Agricultural Educators in Pennsylvania can choose to join a professional organization called the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE). Throughout the year, PAAE has regional meetings to discuss matters of teacher retention, curriculum improvement, policy processes, and anything else regarding Ag Ed life. 

As a requirement of my Student Teaching Internship, I am to attend a regional PAAE meeting. However, I was unable to attend my regional meeting because we had an OAC meeting on the same night.

"South-Central Region Teacher Dinner"

Even though I was unable to attend the South Central Region PAAE meetings, I had the privilege of joining a handful of teachers at the South Central Region Teacher dinner organized by Ms. Darla Romberger. Just like a PAAE meeting, this was an excellent opportunity to share joys and discomforts with other teachers in the area. 

Most notably, this meeting was a tool of reflection for the student teachers in attendance. We discussed what we've learned in our weeks of student teaching and listened to the wiser teachers give insight into the profession we are joining. 

Unfortunately I was unable to attend my regional PAAE meeting but I do find the value in having a professional organization that fosters unity among agricultural educators. 

Week 13 As the Intern - Matters of Enthusiasm

 I Can Teach Anything I'm Excited to Learn About

Workforce Friday's

I'm dedicating Friday's in Small Gas Engines and Essential Home Projects to develop skills related to being in the workforce, regardless of occupation. Last Friday, I touched typical onboarding processes and shared W4, W2, and I-9 IRS tax forms with my class so they have an idea of what they will experience when beginning a job. 

This Friday I taught elements of an effective resume and tasked students with creating or improving upon their current resume. Overall, I am excited about this opportunity in teaching as I am hopefully preparing students for any career they choose to pursue. 

Sexual and Asexual Plant Propagation

I've got so caught up in teaching animal sciences that I forgot I'm a plant person! This past week I had fun teaching the difference between sexual and asexual plant propagation. I started on a high note as I previewed a video called "Corn Sex and the City" which displays how plants can be bred by the joining of a male and female gamete. 

Additionally, I am teaching various methods of asexual plant propagation which has jazzed me up. Did you know that if you cut the veins on the underside of some leaves, they can produce a variable amount of exact clones? Just imagine if humans shared this evolutionary trait with plants. Every time we got a cut, we'd get a clone of ourselves!

The Point Is

I'm trying to convey that I'm legitimately excited to learn and teach on these topics. Having enthusiasm in the classroom has made a difference of night and day with the responsiveness of students. It also helps that the students at Big Spring High School are hungry for real world vocational education!  

Week 11 As the Intern - Out With the Old and In With the New

Week 11 is a Benchmark in My Student Teaching Experience as My Course Load Lightens and Changes With a New Marking Period

WE ARE More Than Classroom Educators

This past week of student teaching has been a breath of fresh air as I have found variation in my schedule and new challenges to face. 

On Tuesday, I assisted my cooperating teacher with the facilitation of an area public speaking LDE. It was a new experience to sit on the administrative side of the podium, as opposed to being a participant. This event was pivotal in developing my understanding of the job description that comes with being an agricultural educator. Not only are we required to teach in the classroom, but the onus of coordinating CDE's and LDE's is placed upon the ag teacher.

Of course this is a labor of love as I witnessed the next generation of American agriculturists speak upon topics they believe to be the cutting edge of our industry. 

WE ARE Better Than We Thought 

After reducing from 4 to 2 classes, I'm noticing that I have more time to dedicate to planning which has dramatically affected my performance in a positive way. I'm starting to see where I have been strengthened since week 1. My overall improvement is encouraging because it is indicative of true growth. 

Just like a muscle, the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required from teachers is built over time under tension. Yes, I still have growth to make if I want to successfully carry a full course load but I at least know that I have the ability to improve my performance in the classroom!