NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Nancy Bell, the agricultural educator at North Montgomery High School in Crawfordsville, is one of six agricultural educators nationwide to receive the 2020 National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Teacher Award, given at the NAAE annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, Dec. 1-5.
The Outstanding Teacher Award is given to educators who have excelled during their career which Bell has showcased through her dedication for two decades. Bell’s single teacher program has evolved to include nearly 90% of her classes offering dual credit at Ivy Tech Community College, strengthening community relationships and focusing on effective education for the diversity of her students. Bell’s program includes eight agricultural courses, 17 supervised agricultural experience programs and eight acres of farm plot. Bell also strives to enhance her program by creating partnerships to dedicate funds as scholarships and advancement to her program. With these resources Bell’s program is being remodeled, two scholarships are offered to students attending Washington Leadership Conference and revenue from the farm plot is used as scholarships to seniors.
Bell has found a successful balance in curriculum education, real world experience and facilitating successful learning environments. Bell provides differentiated programming allowing students of different backgrounds and understanding to develop educational skills including collaborative learning, organization, note taking, research and intrapersonal skills.
“One of the most important aspects of a classroom which a teacher must realize is every student is different through their learning styles, learning abilities and levels of motivation,” Bell said. “This curriculum setup allows each student regardless of graduation track, ethnic or social background, interest or disability to find their place in my program.”
Bell realizes the importance of evaluation and evolving the construction of her curriculum frequently to assess the success of understanding in her students. Bell utilizes several professional resources to develop her curriculum and she also focuses on having “leadership days” where she takes time to teach valuable life skills including respect, effective leadership, goal setting and team building. Bell has also advanced her program through points system awards, creating an ag advisory board and encouraging her student’s work through publication.
Bell has been a member of the NAAE for 19 years and has received the Outstanding Middle Secondary Program. Bell is also a member of the Indiana Farm Bureau, a Cooperating Teacher for Purdue Student Teachers and Cooperating Teacher for Purdue Block I and II Education Students as well.
The National Association of Agricultural Educators was founded as the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers’ Association in 1948. Today, the NAAE has grown to become a federation of state agricultural educator associations, providing service to more than 8,000 members nationwide in advocacy for agricultural education as well as professional development for and recruitment and retention of agricultural educators. Our mission, “Professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” is echoed through the various programs and trainings offered to our members. For more information on the NAAE and agricultural education visit us at www.naae.org or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/naaeagedu.
