BEST
Beginning Educators Support Team
The increasing shortage of agricultural education instructors in Kansas proves it is vital we increase the retention rate of teachers in our profession. There are several partners working to provide resources, but they are focusing on one aspect of the teachers’ needs rather than a comprehensive program. The BEST program brings together the resources provided by the Kansas FFA Foundation, Kansas State University Agricultural Education, the Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators (KAAE) and the Kansas Center for Career and Technical Education (KCCTE) and unites the resources under one coordinating body to create a system of support for induction and novice agriculture teachers in Kansas.
Objectives
The BEST Program will be set forth to increase the retention rates of Novice Agriculture Education Professionals to 80% within the first three years of implementation. In order to accomplish that, the following specific objectives have been set forth:
- Improving the overall quality of agriculture teachers in Kansas
- Build positive, dependable, and supportive relationships among new and experienced teachers in Kansas
- Provide new teachers with access to information that will assist them with managing all aspects of the agriculture education program
- Support teachers through challenging times to increase retention in teaching
- Develop a sense of belongingness among the new Kansas Agriculture Teachers.
On-Site Visits
The BEST program features an on-site to visit for the observation, coaching, and mentoring of new teachers in their new school and classrooms. The one-day, on-site visit by a teacher/coach is being made available at no-charge to the school district or FFA chapter.
This visit will help answer questions or address concerns of a new educator/FFA advisor which may encompass classroom management, FFA program activities and reporting, arrangement of laboratory/shops, student safety in classes, implementing the use of SAEs in their classroom, working with advisory councils and more.
Mentoring
A comprehensive mentoring program can be provided for CTE teachers through the Kansas Center for Career and Technical Education (https://kccte.pittstate.edu/). Beginning teachers are paired with a content-specific mentor who support requirements unique to Ag Education teachers and their role as FFA advisors.
