College leadership carries into career

    A faculty-selected senior leadership award winner who gave the commencement speech in the College of Agriculture graduation at Colorado State University in 2016, Shauna Brown is following through in her career.
    As a second-year ag teacher at Holyoke JR/SR High, Brown has been selected as the Leader Among Us in Holyoke School District Re-1J for the ninth annual Emerald Awards program.
    “She is a great example for her students that it is OK to step out of your comfort zone and be daring enough to try something new,” said fellow teacher Allie Balog in her nomination letter for Brown.
    Brown is all things agriculture and brings an excitement for the subject to those who previously had no clue that it was an area they could relate to and enjoy.
    Her current Intro to Ag class is comprised primarily of nontraditional ag students. She said she hopes her students are starting to feel more of a connection to agriculture-based activities.
    “I like exposing agriculture to those who are not already involved in family farming operations,” said Brown.
    Every one of her beginning students is required to learn and recite the FFA creed. Brown acknowledges it isn’t their favorite thing to do, but she is adamant. “Their ability to speak in front of people will carry them far in life,” she admonishes.
    She’s right there beside them as a supportive cheerleader for their accomplishments in an unfamiliar and perhaps a little bit intimidating environment.
    Brown has a number of English Language Learners in all of her classes. A couple in her ag mechanics class are, in fact, looking to the trade as a potential career. Welding and carpentry skills are something they hope to use as they pursue their future goals.
    Several students have a strong interest in animal science, as well. Brown enjoys giving them career ideas in both the shop and animal science areas.
    Struggling a bit with a language barrier, ELL students have found a niche in Brown’s classes. While language may be a hindrance, Brown has found some extremely talented students in their hands-on work. Her influence and encouragement have helped shine the light on ideas and opportunities.
    “Many of our ELL students who struggle in regular classes not only learn information in Shauna’s classes but exceed the expectations,” said Balog. “They feel welcome, motivated and pushed to do their best.”
    Brown feels it is her job as a teacher to expose students to careers. Students toured Seaboard Foods’ sow farm this year that showed several opportunities.
    She promotes career development events through FFA in areas such as meat judging, livestock judging, floriculture and much more. The content of FFA contest areas applies to potential career avenues and exposes students to a wide array of opportunities.
    Brown especially loves the contest aspect of FFA. “We’re learning together,” she said of a group of four boys who come in early in the morning to focus on meat judging. “It’s fun to watch kids become knowledgeable and excited about a subject they knew nothing about,” she added.
    When she arrived in Holyoke for the 2016-17 school year, Brown said there were a lot of kids with a lot going in the ag program. They just needed an extra push, which she was willing to provide.
    Then-seniors Tyler Camblin and Wyatt McCallum were both state proficiency award winners, and McCallum went on to earn national finalist honors. “They were leaders and wanted the chapter to be strong,” said Brown.
    She provided that push for strength, and the effort is evident in the chapter visibility and success.
    “She pushed me hard,” said McCallum when talking about Brown’s nudge for updating and completing records. “Without her, I’d probably not have gotten as far with FFA. She’s very deserving of this award,” he added.

The full article and all the Emerald Awards articles are available online for FREE by clicking here!