Professional Development
Agricultural educators know that preparing the next generation for Nebraska’s largest industry is a responsibility that requires them to be at the top of their game. Sharpen your skills as a professional, increase your knowledge of advances in agriculture, and expand your ability to make a difference by participating in professional development opportunities!
Live Online Inservice
Come join the virtual fun by attending a live PDW or viewing a previously recorded session. PDWs can be hosted by anyone (teacher, industry partner, state staff, college faculty, etc), so check back often for the latest list!
Future Sessions Include:
- AET Q&A with State Staff – December 12 @ 4:30pm CST
- Proficiency Awards with Brett Evans- December 18 @ 4:30pm CST
Join Now!
PDWs are hosted using Zoom Meetings as a free service to Nebraska Agricultural Education teachers. Join by computer, iPad, iPhone or Android phones. (Speakers and microphone are required for computers. Most laptops have these built-in. A webcam is preferred, but not required.) When joining your first PDW, it’s recommended to connect 10 minutes early to be sure audio is working properly.
Can’t connect via Zoom, or having audio issues?
You can dial-in by calling 415-762-9988
and entering Meeting ID 458-267-3123.
It’s preferred that you connect via computer so that you can see the screen and participants.
Contact Larry with ideas and suggestions for topics and presenters.
Tip: When viewing a video, click the small gear icon in the bottom-right of the video player to select a higher quality stream.
- Parliamentary Procedure with Jeremy Vlasin – December 5, 2019
- National Chapter Award– January 23, 2019
- Agriscience CDE Perch Dissection– January 14, 2019
- Degrees and Stars – January 9, 2019
- Good Standing and Membership – August 22
- State Convention – February 27
- Meats Evaluation with Chad Schimmels – February 14
- Agriscience CDE with Dr. Conner – January 31
- Agronomy with Mark Bloss – January 24
- Star Applications with David Gibbens and Monty Larson – December 20
- Proficiency Applications with David Gibbens – November 29
- Ag Issues with Amy Tomlinson – November 15
- World Food Prize Student Exchange with Ann Dvorak – November 1
- Agriscience Fair and Hall of Chapters with Sarah Knutson and Brent Nollette- October 11
- Livestock Evaluation with Julia Schwartz – October 4
- Fundraising and the Nebraska FFA Foundation with Stacey Agnew – September 20
- Good Standing Process, 2017 – September 6, 2017
- Nebraska FFA Foundation Blue Jackets. Bright Futures Program with Stacey Agnew – September 1, 2017
- Using Committees to Complete and Implement the POA, and being Recognized through the National Chapter Application – August 30, 2017
- Equine Evaluation with Abby Knobbe – May 3, 2017
- Supplemental Document for Equine Evaluation supplied by Abby Knobbe
- Summer Leadership Opportunities for Students (COLT & WLC) with Jeff Moore and Thomas Dux – April 26, 2017
- DELTA Conference and Beginning Teacher Institute with Siera Meyer and Bailey Kobs – March 22, 2017
- Natural Resource CDE Learning Outcomes with Drew Tyre – March 15, 2017
- 2017 Nebraska FFA Convention Planning – March 8, 2017
- FNS & CASE – March 1, 2017
- Natural Resources with Drew Tyre and Allison Zach – February 1, 2017
- Food Science with Sara Roberts and Julie Reiling – January 18, 2017
- Biotechnology with Leah Sandall – January 11, 2017
- Livestock Management CDE Series by Dr. Bryan Reiling – January – March, 2017
- To join these Zoom webinars, please click this link: https://nebraskaextension.zoom.us/my/bryan.reiling.
- Archived Livestock Management Videos can be found on the Livestock Management CDE page.
- State Degree Application and Record Books – December 21, 2016
- Proficiency Applications – December 15, 2016
- Agriscience CDE, Fetal Pig Dissection – December 7, 2016
- SAE – November 9, 2016
- Agricultural Sales CDE – November 3, 2016
- Conduct of Chapter Meetings & Senior Parliamentary Procedure – October 26, 2016
- Please note that the beginning of this PDW is a bit choppy with connection issues, but the latter half summarizes the beginning and digs into the rules and some clarifying questions.
- Agriscience Fair – October 12, 2016
- POWERRful Speech Development and Delivery – October 6, 2016
- LSE Updates – September 21, 2016
- Professional Organizations – September 14, 2016
- Completing the POA and National Chapter Application & Using Committees – August 24,2016
- Range Judging Updates and Best Practices – August 17, 2016
Partner PDWs
As agriculture teachers, we’re also math teachers, English teachers, science teachers, etc. Check out this turn-key professional learning experience designed to enhance instruction in English Language Arts across all disciplines. Currently, three foundational webinars are posted (Core Instructional Model, Formative Assessment and Monitoring and Adjusting Instruction). Most recently, the first strategy specific webinar (Close Reading) was posted. Over the next few months additional strategy-specific resources will be developed and posted. The strategies include: RAFT, Text Coding/Think-Alouds, Self-Check Paragraph Writing, Peer Editing, Class Glossary Mixer, QAR, Inquiry-Research Process Writing, Informative Speaking, and Infographics.
For more information about this experience, please contact Cory Epler (cory.epler@nebraska.gov).
Events below this header are hidden
Events Offered by Team Ag Ed
Are you a teacher with 7 to 15 years of experiencing? Join us June 17-18 in Lincoln for XLR8! This all expense paid professional development opportunity is brought to you courtesy of the Star Program focusing on teacher retention. Teachers attending this experience will receive a $200 stipend in addition to all expenses covered on-site.
The XLR8 Institute will:
- Tackle work-life balance
- Develop strategies to lower work load stress
- Gain insight on why saying no means saying yes to the most important things
- Improve overall career satisfaction
- Earn 8 hours of professional development and continuing education credits for recertification or education requirements
Registration is open now and closes on May 31st. Visit this website to register: https://bit.ly/2Ktwbbs
Hurry, there is only space for 15 teachers!
The Power, Structural, and Technical Program of Study focused technical skill workshop offerings provided by NDE this summer. Registration is currently open and will close on May 10th. Click this link and see all the workshop offerings/details and begin your registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kNKyDIcbf1ZJoWbaJ_YZwWDfwbbHx2rpvlu3Sx6HLc4/edit
NDE is covering the cost for your registration fee. If you have a change in plans, ALL CANCELATIONS without penalty must be done prior to May 24th. If you cancel after May 24th or do not show up there will be a $50 cancelation fee. There is a required number of registrants to offer a workshop in order to pay for the instructor and any materials used.
Do you want to earn graduate credit for the above workshops with UNL? Tuition is approximately $840 for the 2 credit hour classes. You will need to complete registration by July 14, 2019:
- Be a graduate student at UNL. If you are not currently a UNL graduate student, follow the instructions at this link: https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/teachneb
- Obtain a permission code from Christina Franklin at cfranklin3@unl.edu . You will need to provide her with the class number, which is ALEC 893, and the UNL section number. The section number is located next to the workshop you have selected. Christina will send you a permission code to register for the graduate course at UNL.
- Register for the UNL class through the MyRed online registration system at the My RED Online Portal.
The Beginning Teacher Institute (BTI) is designed for teachers who have completed their first through third year of Career and Technical Education instruction. The core purposes of the 2019 BTI are:
- Explore and define your CTE Program.
- Learn how to facilitate classroom and laboratory experiences with students.
- Internalize and practice classroom management strategies.
BTI will take place July 15-17, 2019 in Lincoln. Registration Deadline is May 15, 2019.
Attendees will have mileage and meal reimbursement as well as lodging will be provided by NDE.
For additional information visit our website at https://www.education.ne.gov/nce/ under Conferences, Workshops, and Special Events. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN3Exg8fvJOj2W6nVUScHTsZRY6bapleeP5-MvUeKRN2JP7Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Online, In-Person, and On-Site, Throughout the School Year
Nebraska Ag Ed State Staff offers professional development and support for teachers new to teaching agriculture in Nebraska throughout the school year. This support includes:
- Monthly Zoom online meetings hosted by NDE Staff beginning in August 2019
- Fall Meeting along-side Ag Ed Symposium in November 2019
- Spring Meeting along-side 212/360 Conference in February 2020
- Beginning Teacher Institute (July 15-17, 2019) in Lincoln hosted at no cost to participants by NDE
Monthly Meetings
Monthly meetings are designed around a “just in time” philosophy based on the needs and upcoming events of a beginning agricultural education teacher. Each month you will be invited to join a meeting to discuss what is currently happening in Ag Ed, FFA, and CTE in general. The meetings will be recorded and shared out so you can watch them later if you are unable to join the live meeting.
Events Offered by Partner Organizations
How can ag biotechnology contribute to food security? Learn about the latest seed research, the impact of environmental issues and sustainability, participate in lessons designed to meet the Nebraska science standards, meet industry experts, and get free classroom materials. Food costs are covered by the Nebraska Corn Board.
Participants are encouraged to come and bring colleagues to this one-day event that will introduce ALL PARTICIPANTS to biotech skills and how they are incorporated into agriculture, food science and biofuels. Industry speakers will emphasize the use of biotechnology tools in agricultural research and development.
Each teacher will receive over $300 worth of classroom lab supplies. 8 hours of contact time will be awarded for the 1 day workshop.
PLEASE NOTE: These workshops are geared toward middle and high school teachers. The content covered is above the level of elementary grades science.
Notify Dr. Lloyd Bell at lbell1@unl.edu by Wednesday, May 15th of you’re interested in participating in this workshop . A $25 registration fee will be required. For those who register, a brief needs assessment will follow your registration to better define the workshop content.
Enhancing Your Welding Instruction, June 27-28, Blue Hill, NE
Blue Hill Agricultural Education Welding Lab
Melissa Bonifas
Melissa Bonifas and her father, Jon Moore, an accomplished welding entrepreneur, conduct the workshop and explore and discuss questions you need answered. Significant hands-on time is spent in the areas of SMAW, MIG and O/A welding to practice technique and build confidence. This workshop will be limited to the first 12 applicants and designed for both pre-service (undergraduates) as well as in-service instructors desiring to enhance basic welding instructional confidence. Opportunity may be available for graduate credit but will require independent study activity in addition to workshop completion.
Excellence in Ag Sciences Day will be June 13, 2019 at the State Fairgrounds in Grand Island, again in the Raising Nebraska building. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. (CST) Program starting at 8:50 and concluding by 4:00 p.m.
Teachers will experience two educational games focused on the corn-water-ethanol-beef (CWEB) system nexus. Provided lessons and resources equip students to develop systems thinking skills through exploration of the food-energy-water nexus, build interest in STEM-related agricultural careers, and gain understanding of the role of technology in sustainable agricultural production.
Stipends will be available, a free board game will be given to participants which can be used in the classroom, along with free access to an online game simulation. The focus is on ag sustainability. Lunch will be provided.
Please register by June 1st for planning purposes.
Contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu with any questions.
Are you needing that “pick-me-up” to rejuvenate your classroom instruction? Do your lessons need to be invigorated and made student centered? Do you need a community of like-minded peers to support and lift you up in your profession? Are you looking for a conference that will change your life? If you answered yes to any of the above, then the Delta Conference is for you! Check out the flyer that is attached. Kansas has graciously opened a few spots for Nebraska teachers. Registration is a very low $350 for Nebraska teachers.
Attached is information about the Delta Conference to be held this June 11 – 15 at NCKTC in Beloit. Registration deadline is May 1, 2019.
Please go to the registration site at: https://www.smokyhill.org/vnews/display.v/ART/56b3be630730c?in_archive=1