#16 – What is the one thing that you could do to help your students reach their potential and achieve whatever they want in life? What about an agriculture program that will help them succeed not only in class but also in their lives as well?
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education at middle school and high school level. James Woodard is the national FFA advisor, board chair, and the former superintended of Morgan Charter School Systems in Madison, Georgia. His 7th and 10th-grade teachers plus his parent’s guidance led him to agriculture education when he was a troubled kid heading in the wrong direction.
The role of the teacher is to engage students while helping them to realize and work towards their full potential. James has a philosophy of touching and motivating through the heart using the three Rs (rigor, relevance, and relationship). He believes that the educator has to first create a relationship with their students and then motivate them to be what they intend to be. He shares a story of how his teacher encouraged him to take on public speaking after noticing his speech impediment.
Students of agriculture education receive a basic certification. There is a network in the agriculture education program that educators can find competition through FFA. Friendships and mentorships can be formed through these networks.
There is a power in conducting servant leadership– leading your team with your support and guidance as opposed to assigning them tasks. James explains the qualities he believes make a power teacher- those that separate them from the crowd in dealing with students, colleagues, and their leaders.
Key Moments:
[1:51] He explains the role of FFA in preparing young people with their careers.
[3:13] How James’ troubled youth, his two teachers, and his parents’ guidance led him to FFA.
[8:43] The role of the teacher in engaging students to reach their potential.
[11:34] How to build a relationship and engage with your students individually.
[16:35] James narrates a story of how his teacher encouraged him to participate in public speaking to improve his speech impediment.
[19:06] He explains some of the initiatives that have expanded the academic aspect of the FFA program making it successful.
[23:39] How educators can benefit from the FFA agriculture program.
[25:40] The clipboard leadership vs. towel leadership– the importance of servant leadership.
[29:56] James explains the qualities that make a powerful teacher.
Quotes:
“It is the relationship that builds the heart for a servant type leadership.”– James Woodard [27:32]
“Improvement is a process. I don’t expect anyone to be perfect, but I do expect them to improve, and to reflect.”– James Woodard [32:18]
Find Dr. Woodard on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-woodard-543a1863/
Website: https://www.ffa.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NationalFFA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalffa/
Contact Nick:
Website: https://nickzizi.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en
