Teacher of the Year

Each year, we celebrate an outstanding New York teacher who uses agricultural literacy concepts in the classroom to such an extent as to merit statewide recognition. Winning teachers receive an expense paid trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, held in a different location in the United States each year. The 2023 winner will travel to Orlando, Florida to be recognized for their accomplishments. For their excellence in teaching about and utilizing agriculture in their classroom, the winning teacher will have the opportunity to:

Submit an application for the National Agriculture in the Classroom Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture award sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Orlando, Florida on June 26-29, 2023, with expenses paid.
Receive at-school recognition of the teacher and their accomplishments.

The 2024 Teacher of the Year Application will be available in the fall of 2023.

Eligibility

Certified teachers, or a team of teachers, currently engaged in classroom instruction in the Pre-K through 12 levels. Certified agriculture teachers are not eligible.
Teachers must be integrating agricultural concepts into traditionally non-agricultural curricula,
Providing opportunities for students to engage in and study about agriculture,
And/or utilizing innovative approaches to advancing agricultural literacy in the classroom.
The teacher does not necessarily need to be currently using NYAITC curriculum or programs.
Applicants may be self-nominated, or an application could come from an individual or a team of teachers working together.

Review Process

Applications will be evaluated by a review committee who will score based on a rubric of 100 possible points. Scores will be averaged for each application.

Rubric

25 points - Creativity and Utilization of Agricultural Information

The degree to which sound food and fiber concepts have been infused into the classroom curriculum.
References should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning.

25 points - Interdisciplinary Approach

The degree to which agricultural concepts have been applied in a variety of subjects or topics.
Value will be placed on the approach which teaches agriculture across the curriculum or subject.

25 points - Student Impact

Evidence of positive change in behavior, student attitudes and overall learning.

25 Points - Overall Impact, Longevity of the Program

Evidence of historical and new agricultural concepts introduced. This may include food systems.
Sustainable living, local agriculture, carbon footprint, community impact, nutrition, and more.

Meet Our Teacher of the Year

2023 Teacher of the Year – Megan and Clayton Kappauf

New York Agriculture in the Classroom recognizes an exceptional teacher, or teachers, who embody a passion for teachingthrough a lens of agriculture in their curriculum each year.We are proud to announce Megan and Clayton Kappauf, educators at Oxford Primary School, as the 2023 Teachers of the Year. The Kappaufs have created aunique classroomenvironment where students are actively engaged in authentic and hands-on learningthrough integrating food and agriculture,andthey are well-deserving of this recognition.

Programs