Teacher Check-In: Olivia Zurcher

Olivia Zurcher graduated from the University of Idaho (UI) in 2017 with a degree in Agricultural Education and is currently in her third year of teaching at Prosser High School in Prosser, Washington. Zurcher grew up in Connell, Washington on her family's third generation dairy farm. Throughout high school, Zurcher was heavily involved in FFA which lead to her career as an ag teacher. Olivia Zurcher said she had, "always wanted to become a teacher," and had always had a strong passion for agriculture. When Zurcher realized she could do both, her career path was set. So far, her favorite part of teaching is getting to know both the students and community of Prosser.

While attending UI, Zurcher made many fond memories but some of her favorite stemmed from being involved in extracurricular activities. She enjoyed travelling with clubs and classes from National FFA Convention to the National Meat Evaluation Competition as well as the Livestock Judging Contest. She was able to participate in many different activities and meet many people which she says is the one thing she really misses.

Zurcher shared that one of the most influential professors she had was Dr. Matt Doumit. Doumit helped her get involved in meat sciences through her livestock and carcass Evaluation Class. She also says that Marvin Heimgartner was a huge influence in teaching her about the shop aspect of her current and also provided her with great advice.
Some of the most useful parts of her college experiences were the labs she took with some of her courses. Zurcher says, "those experiences and hands on opportunities stuck with me even if I took those classes 6 years ago." She says they taught useful skills that she often uses on a daily basis when teaching her classes.


Written by Tessa Taylor
Spring 2020


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