AgEd Student Spotlight: Bethany Newtson

Bethany Newtson is a senior at the University of Idaho with a rich background in both agriculture and education, which has led her to studying agricultural education. She is also pursuing a minor in agricultural communications and leadership. Newtson grew up in Helix, Oregon and owes her passion for agriculture to working on her family's dryland wheat farm. “I’ve walked miles and miles in the fields pulling rye and hoeing weeds, drove tractor since 8th grade, and I have trained a few highschoolers to drive during harvest,” Newtson states when reminiscing of home. She was also very involved in 4-H through showing pigs, completing other fair projects, and helping in her local club and county 4-H office. 

Newtson is connected to the UI community through her campus involvement. She is a member of a sorority on campus, Kappa Alpha Theta, serves as an ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and works as a teaching assistant in the welding shop. Newtson loves playing intramural volleyball and spending time volunteering at local nonprofits. 

When asked for a piece of advice she would give students pursuing a degree in agricultural education, Newtson focused on building relationships with peers and professors. She recommends getting to know as many students in the department as possible. Newtson says these students have provided a family atmosphere for her. They are great mentors and role models that pass along invaluable advice. 

Newtson also states, “CALS professors are phenomenal - they care about your education, are exceptional in their respective fields, I could go on and on.” She recommends connecting with professors during office hours or asking questions in class because these connections could be extremely valuable in the future. 

It’s exciting to see future educators with a passion for working with youth, especially in agricultural education. Newtson's future career goal is to be an educator either in the classroom or in the communications/extension field, while also staying involved in her family’s wheat farm. She proudly shares that she will be a fifth-generation educator, and along with her brother, the fifth generation to work on her family farm. When asked about her career goals, Newtson says, “I honestly could be happy going in a lot of different directions, and I’m looking forward to seeing what doors open or close after graduation and potentially a master’s degree.” We’re excited to see where Newtson’s combined interest for agriculture and education take her in the future!

 

 

Written by Lynnsey Tracy

Fall 2020

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