Mary Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher, attended the National Association Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference November 30 – December 3, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana. This four day professional development conference was attended by Agricultural Instructors from across the nation.
Hoffmann received the Region III NAAE Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award while at the conference. Hoffmann was the state winner of this award in July which was forwarded onto Region competition. Region III includes: Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. She was then chosen the winner of the entire region.
As a member and Secretary of The National Council for Agricultural Education, Hoffmann helped to plan and carry out the Ag. Education Summit in New Orleans, which was held in conjunction with the NAAE Convention. This was a brainstorming session to look at the priorities and strategies of The Council and to start conversations about what best practices are already in place around the country as well as what we should focus on and what new programs or initiatives could be developed.
While at the conference, Hoffmann also attended professional development workshops, committee meetings, and general sessions. Some of the professional development workshops and tours that Hoffmann attended while at the conference included: Experiential Learning Cycle, Managing All the Performers in an Ag Ed Program, Ideas for the Metal’s Laboratory, Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour, Sand Slides: Interactive Soil Science, Conservation/ Recreation-Based Science Curriculum, and Water Beads in Floriculture and Science.
“It was an excellent opportunity to attend a National Conference and learn from others in the same profession. It’s great to spread my network of Ag. connections and resources to teachers across the nation. I come back from a conference like this refreshed and with new ideas to implement into my classroom!” Hoffmann says.
Hoffmann added, “It was also a great honor to represent the Ag Teachers of Minnesota and win the Region in the Outstanding Ag. Teacher of the Year category!”
Caption: Mary Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher, wins the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region III Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award. She accepted her award at the NAAE Convention in New Orleans.