Enhancing Kentucky Agricultural Education Programs through UK faculty Professional Development

The purpose of this project is to refine, develop and implement new content strategies to the UK Agricultural Education program. UK Agricultural Education teachers educators will participate in comprehensive, intensive and innovative professional development activities. These opportunities will be integrated in the undergraduate and graduate curriculums in Career and Technical Education, specifically Agricultural Education. Bringing new activities and content will better prepare tomorrow's career and technical educators. Faculty professional development is a key aspect of this proposal. As budgets are tightened, this funding will provide faculty opportunities to travel, thus providing more opportunities for attending important research conferences and professional meetings. Topics may include utilizing effective teaching skills and methodology, improving research for the improvement of teacher practice, teaching applied academics (math and science), working with special needs studentes, and using technology as a teaching tool. Ultimately, the goal is to gain valuable knowledge and skills to bring back to UK to meet the educational needs of all students. These national, regional and state professional development opportunities will strengthen the knowledge base of faculty, therefore bringing the most current research to Kentucky pre-service teachers. Funding through this project will allow faculty to provide a learning environment that actively involves all students and enhances technology applications through the curriculum. New methods of teaching and strategies for instruction will be implemented to reach all types of learners. Students will learn new technology such as digital portfolios and websites. These skills will also be utilized to communicate with parents, students, businesses and community about their program. Community leadership experiences through the undergraduate student organization, Agricultural Education Society will continue. Leadership to others across the Commonwealth will result from participation in faculty development. As a member of the Kentucky Team Ag Ed, UK faculty will collaborate with inservice teachers, state program consultants, and other teacher educators to become more effective in teacher education for agriculture.