Ray Pieniazek of the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, Interviewed on Growing Our Future Podcast

Host Aaron Alejandro and Ray Pieniazek, Executive Director, Agree That Agricultural Science Teachers Go Above and Beyond to Give Students “Unlimited” Opportunities – Mission Matters Podcast Agency

Austin, Sept. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National FFA Organization works to strengthen science and agricultural educational opportunities for students across the country. The Texas FFA Association and Texas FFA Foundation are the largest state organizations in the country.

On this episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Aaron Alejandro introduces Ray Pieniazek, Executive Director of the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, an organization devoted to supporting teachers through professional development opportunities, mentorship, and legal guidance. Drawing on his decades of experience with agricultural education, Pieniazek gives listeners a rare look at the demanding and rewarding reality of ag teachers across the country.

A Day in the Life

Ray Pieniazek, Executive Director of the Agricultural Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT), knows first hand how busy the life of an agricultural educator can be. In addition to teaching as many as 6-7 different classes in one day, ag teachers have the responsibility of managing their specialized learning spaces–from maintaining animal and plant facilities to purchasing supplies and equipment for welding and woodworking. “There’s a lot more moving parts,” Pieniazek says. He recalls bringing a cow to school so students could practice palpation, and remembers another educator using chalk to draw skeletal structures on an actual horse.

Furthermore, an agricultural educator’s job continues after the end of the school day. “Their second day starts when the bell rings,” Pieniazek says. After school, perhaps during FFA meetings/events or Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), teachers are able to build relationships with students that provide that “extra oomph”–in other words, the “competitive edge” that ag education…