Owl Pellets: Tips For Ag Teachers

Can AI help students become better welders without replacing the judgment and craftsmanship that make them skilled professionals? In the third episode of our Season 12 AI mini-series, AI in the Shop: Feedback, Skill, and Judgment, Alex Stocker joins us to explore how artificial intelligence can support student feedback and technical skill development in agricultural education. From providing faster feedback to helping students evaluate their own performance, this conversation examines how teachers can balance technology, efficiency, and hands-on learning while keeping professional judgment and craftsmanship at the center. Tune in for practical insights on using AI to strengthen learning in the shop

What if AI could help students ask better questions instead of simply giving them answers? In the second episode of our Season 12 AI mini-series, AI as a Thinking Partner: Inquiry, Not Answers, Jeremy Hall joins us to explore how artificial intelligence can support student curiosity, inquiry, and agriscience fair project development. Discover how teachers can use AI to encourage deeper thinking while helping students develop the knowledge and judgment needed to evaluate and refine ideas. Tune in for practical insights on making AI a thinking partner rather than a shortcut to learning!  

What problem are we really trying to solve with AI in agricultural education? In the first episode of our Season 12 mini-series, AI Isn’t the Point: What Problem Are We Trying to Solve?, hosts Brian Myers, Becky Haddad, and Mike Retallick explore how artificial intelligence is changing education and what these changes mean for ag teachers and students. From managing teaching responsibilities to preparing students for a technology-driven world, this conversation challenges educators to look beyond AI tools and focus on what truly matters in teaching and learning. Tune in as we kick off this exciting mini-series!

How can ag teachers continue creating meaningful opportunities for students without sacrificing all their time and energy? In this episode, Finding Your Margin: Turning Noble Sacrifice into Sustainable Teaching, Tiffany Marzolino joins us to discuss teacher margin-the balance between the load teachers carry and the power and resources they have to manage it. Tune in for practical ideas on setting boundaries, navigating busy seasons, redefining success, and building support systems that make great teaching more sustainable. Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2828 Authors: Tiffany A. Marzolino, Aaron J. McKim, Catlin M. Goodwin, and R. Bud McKendree

How can ag teachers make STEM feel less like an add-on and more like a natural part of agricultural education? In this episode, Pulling STEM into Ag: Systems Thinking That Teachers Can Use Next Week, we explore how systems thinking can help teachers connect science, technology, engineering, and math through authentic AFNR challenges. Tune in for practical ideas for connecting classroom/lab instruction, FFA, and SAE while making integrated STEM manageable, relevant, and applicable to students’ everyday lives. Article: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/16/2/253?utm_source=researchgate.net&utm_medium=article Authors: Neil A. Knobloch, Christopher J. Eck, Aaron J. McKim, and Hui-Hui Wang

Can a little friendly competition make a big difference in the ag classroom? In this episode, Friendly Rivalry, Real Learning: Making Classroom Competition Work, Joe Ramstad joins us to explore how SBAE teachers can use competition to increase student engagement, check understanding, and support learning. Tune in for practical ideas for keeping competition fun, fair, low-stakes, and focused on what students are actually learning. Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/3303/2543 Authors: Joe Ramstad and Scott Smalley

What really prepares ag teachers to lead safe, engaging, and effective hands-on learning in the lab? In this episode, Planting Confidence in the Lab: What Really Prepares Ag Teachers, we explore how mentorship, industry experience, teacher preparation, professional development, and real-world experiences shape teachers’ confidence and readiness for laboratory instruction. Tune in for practical ideas for strengthening lab skills, building support systems, and creating meaningful hands-on learning experiences regardless of your program’s resources. Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/3303/2543 Authors: Kevin Sanders, Mark Hainline, Scott Smalley, and Joe Ramstad

What helps ag teachers turn what they know into teaching that actually works for their students? In this episode, From Research to Barn Floor: Building PCK That Works Next Week, Jenny E. Bennett and colleagues explore how agricultural educators develop pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) through experience, professional development, relationships, and their teaching environments. Tune in for practical ideas on building confidence, using your professional network, adapting curriculum, and turning everyday classroom constraints into better learning opportunities. Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/3218/2514 Authors: Jenny E. Bennett, Aryn Baxter, Kellie J. Enns, and Nathan Clark

In this episode of Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers, Brian Myers, Becky Haddad, and Mike Retallick sit down with Jason Dossett to discuss his research, Conceptualizing Curriculum Planning: Analyzing Agricultural Educators' Instructional Planning Processes. Whether you're a first-year teacher building your first lesson plans or a veteran educator looking to refine your planning process, this episode offers research-based strategies that can help you create meaningful learning experiences while navigating the everyday realities of agricultural education. Research Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/3284/2524 Authors: Jason Dossett, Sadie Hundemer, R. G. (Tre) Easterly III, and J. C. Bunch

Do you know what the start of a new school year means? It is time for a new season of the Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers Podcast. We are excited to be back to releasing new episodes weekly. But first, we want to hear where you are listening from and who you are sharing this episode with! 

Another end to the school year, another end to an Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers season. Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike wrap up season 11. 

Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. However, in this episode, they are meeting a very special guest. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into how the book came to be and some of Michele DiPietro's advice for both teachers and students. Come along as we wrap up our season 11 mini-series. 

Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the eighth and final section of the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdges, Michele DiPietro, Susan Ambrose, and Maria Norman focused this book on making learning work for you and your students! Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike chat about how taking a step back and letting your students self-direct their learning helps them, even outside of the classroom. 

Ready to boost your STEM teaching confidence? William Norris and Lacey Roberts-Hill deliver crucial insights from research exploring how agricultural educators perceive their ability to integrate STEM-based AFNR standards! We unpack findings on specific STEM concepts where teachers excel and areas where more support is needed. Learn about the vital role of preservice training and actionable recommendations for professional development to strengthen your skills. This episode is packed with practical ways to confidently bring real-world STEM applications into your lessons, setting your students up for success.   Journal article: Meaningful skills for the agricultural workforce: Assessing the confidence levels of agricultural educators to integrate STEM into their curriculum

Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the seventh section of the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdges, Michele DiPietro, Susan Ambrose, and Maria Norman focused this book on making learning work for you and your students! Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike chat about how creating a safe space with high expectations can affect your students' learning. 

Ever feel like your PD doesn't quite deepen your ag literacy instruction? This "pellet" uncovers vital research on a professional development program that's all about equipping ag teachers for success! Learn how relevant, discipline-specific content (think animal and plant science!) from experts was highly valued for its direct impact on teaching core agricultural knowledge. We'll explore why hands-on, immediately applicable strategies are essential for helping you build students' comprehensive understanding of agriculture, emphasizing the need for PD that truly supports robust ag literacy outcomes in your classroom.   Journal article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2487

Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the sixth section of the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdges, Michele DiPietro, Susan Ambrose, and Maria Norman focused this book on making learning work for you and your students! Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike chat about how intentional practice and feedback can enhance the learning experience. 

Want to elevate your students' communication skills for the modern ag industry? This "pellet" delivers crucial insights from research on how agricultural communication is being integrated in SBAE classrooms nationwide! Learn about the rapid growth in ag comm offerings, the current state of content consistency, and the vital design, writing, and software skills students are mastering. This episode underscores how ag teachers can leverage their program's unique structure to bridge gaps, promote entrepreneurship, and build ag literacy, giving you practical ways to strengthen your ag comm instruction and boost career readiness.   Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2754

Ready to dive into the world of middle school ag ed and supercharge your SAE program? Jacob Englin digests two powerful research articles! First, we explore trends, gaps, and teacher needs in U.S. middle school agricultural education, revealing where we need more up-to-date research. Then, we dive into how top teachers create high-quality SAE experiences by focusing on student growth, leveraging competition, and fostering accountability. Get ready for practical takeaways on scaffolding SAEs for independence, maintaining high expectations, and tailoring projects to keep all students engaged!   Journal Articles: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2782 https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2783

How can your ag classroom be a haven for students impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? William Norris and Shannon Norris Parish share vital research exploring how SBAE teachers compassionately support these learners! Discover actionable strategies like providing hygiene items, purchasing meals on Ag trips, and offering emotional support. We'll highlight the deep personal commitment educators make to create safe spaces, fostering healing and learning. Get ready for practical ways to make your classroom more inclusive and responsive to students' life challenges, boosting both well-being and educational outcomes.   Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2900