By Andi Anderson
Melissa James, a science teacher at Center Point-Urbana, has been named a recipient of the 2023 Iowa Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation. Recognized for her exceptional efforts in incorporating agriculture into her classroom curriculum, James stands out as an educator committed to promoting agricultural literacy.
The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation serves as a vital resource for educators and volunteers seeking to impart knowledge about agriculture to students in the state. James expressed gratitude for the foundation's extensive resources, including summer workshop classes and in-classroom materials, which have been instrumental in providing valuable learning opportunities to her students on diverse agricultural topics.
"I’ve always wanted to incorporate agriculture, but I didn’t grow up with any agriculture connections," shared James in a recent news release. "I appreciate the vast resources that the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation offers."
With over 30 years of teaching experience, James has been a part of the Center-Point Urbana Community School District since 2002. Colleagues commend her as a model teacher who consistently integrates agriculture and real-life examples into her daily science curriculum.
"Melissa is the model teacher to showcase how we can inspire educators to integrate agriculture into their classrooms," stated Kelly Foss, Executive Director of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation.
As a recipient of the award, James will receive a $500 stipend to further support her efforts in integrating agriculture into her classroom. Additionally, she has the opportunity to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2024.
The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation aims to build trust among educators by serving as a credible source for Iowa academic standards in agriculture education. Collaborating with a diverse group of educators and community partners, the foundation empowers the promotion of agriculture literacy throughout Iowa's educational landscape.
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Categories: Iowa, Education