HOYT, Kan.- Lauren Van Allen, agriculture teacher at Oxford Junior/Senior High School in Oxford, Kansas, was named the Kansas Association of Career and Technical Education (K-ACTE) Young Teacher of the Year award winner at the 2021 Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators Ag Ed Symposium that was held virtually on January 21st and 22nd.
“As an agricultural educator, it is my aspiration to offer all my students the opportunity to discover what they are passionate about,” said Van Allen. “It is my ultimate hope that I can assist my students in developing a passion for agriculture and that they will work to advocate and educate others about the industry.”
“Students want to be in Lauren’s classes because she cares about her students and pushes them to be better everyday. The leadership she has developed in students in the short time she has them is nothing but impressive. Students want to be leaders, they want to be the best, and they will work outside of school to do what she wants of them. They search for community service opportunities and want to give back to others. She has grown the number of students participating in FFA in her two years at OHS. The members are competitive and place in every event they enter. They have been recognized as a top state organization,” said Dr. Cathi Wilson, Oxford Superintendent and Principal.
Agriculture programs prepare students for high-demand careers in cutting edge industries like biotechnology, renewable energies, engineering, food production, and more. They also teach students how to be leaders and prepare them to take on the challenges of the next generation.
The Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators is an organization of teachers of agriculture at the high school, postsecondary, and adult levels who seek to advance agricultural education in Kansas. The KAAE strives to provide leadership opportunities, service, and advocacy for its members.
The KAAE is affiliated with the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).