University of Idaho Capstone Trip
2015 University of Idaho Capstone Trip!
By: Jemma Morrow, UI Teacher Candidate
First off, I want to say thank you to the University of Idaho Agricultural and Extension Education Department along with Dr. Falk for this amazing trip. There were so many firsts and new experiences for everyone who was on the trip. The trip started on Saturday, May 2. Michelle Ball, Dr. Falk, and I flew into Philadelphia. We spent the evening in Philly eating Philly Cheese steaks and exploring this historically important City. We saw the Liberty Bell and the grave of Benjamin Franklin. The city was very humbling.
The next day we explored Washington DC. We started at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic Church in America. The sheer size of the building was amazing. Then we went to the National Mall. We saw the Air and Space Smithsonian Museum and the Natural History Smithsonian. We also saw the Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II Memorials. Before we left this city we drove past the White House.
The next stop on the trip was in Smyrna, Delaware. We stayed at the Mallard Lodge and Research Center on wetlands. We stayed here until Thursday with teacher candidates from Pennsylvania State University, Virginia Tech, and University of Delaware. The first night, we met students and staff from other universities. Karen Hutchinson from the National FFA discussed Professional Development plans and working with your Local Program Specialist.
Day one at the lodge consisted of taking a tour of the Delaware Governor’s House and Legislative Hall. We also had Krista Pontius share the benefits of joining the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). She also discussed why it was important for teachers to be involved with professional organizations along with the NAAE. We also started working on our Professional Development Plan. We identified what our ideal position looked like and what the gaps were to getting our ideal position. That evening we went to the Delaware Aquatic Education Resource Center and learned about Horse Shoe Crabs from Gary Kreamer. Once we learned the basics and did interactive labs, Gary took us to Delaware Bay to see Horseshoe Crabs.
Day two at the lodge was a lot of tours around Delaware. We visited Delaware Technical Community College to see their facilities and eco-friendly house. Then we saw Woodbridge High School Agricultural Facilities. Then we traveled to Smyrna High school and had Bart Gill give an update on Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Standards. We also had Dr. Robert Frick give interview tips and tricks to help us get hired.
Day three at the lodge was full of professional Development. We started with a presentation from Patricia P. McGonigle, General Counsel; Delaware State Education Association. She described how to maintain a professional distance with students and the use of social media. Then we took a virtual tour with a TED Talk. Then we took an actual tour of Dogfish Head Brewery. Then we went to see the Atlantic Ocean. It was the first time for Michelle and I to touch the other side of the country.
Day Four at the lodge all of the teacher candidates attended a Natural Resources In-Service Training. We also worked on finalizing our Professional Development Plan. Once the training were over the lodge was full of goodbyes to both new and old friends as we departed for graduation and grown up jobs. The UI crew headed to Pequea Valley Pennsylvania where we connected with Doug Masser, a vandal masters alumni. We got to see his program and talk with the retiring teacher in the program for interview recommendations and the Ag education career path.
On Friday morning we headed to Easton Pennsylvania, where went to the Crayola Experience. We got to see different agricultural products that are popular. Then we headed to New York City. The first stop was the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was so incredible to see what so many immigrants saw after their long voyage to get to America. Then we went to see the 9/ 11 Memorial at Ground Zero. It was so sad, proud, patriotic, and angry. It was an experience that Michelle and I could really understand because we were alive to remember when the events happened. Then we went to see the Lion King on Broadway. If there was another event on this trip that made us breathless this was it. The costumes, dancing, and music was so moving. After the Broadway Shoe we went to see Time Square. So many lights and screens it was really something that we had to see in person to describe.
Overall the trip was one that I will never forget. Not just because of all the new experiences, but also because of the great connections I made to Michelle and Dr. Falk, but also to the different universities. I know that we were so lucky to be able to explore the east coast and meet with other teacher candidates. I hope that other student teachers in the future have to opportunity to experience the networking and new skills that we did on this trip.
Once again, thank you Dr. Falk, Michelle, and the University of Idaho Agricultural and Extension Education Department. For a closer look at our trip,
Comments
Post a Comment