Cache Valley Teacher Receives National Agriculture in the Classroom Recognition

Théo Anderson of Providence Elementary was chosen as a winner of the National Agriculture in the Classroom Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award. Only six teachers in the nation receive this prestigious award, according to the National Agriculture in the Classroom website. Earlier this year, Anderson was chosen as Utah Agriculture in the Classroom’s Teacher of the year which qualified her to apply for the national award.

“Winning this award is a tremendous honor and validates my methods and philosophy of teaching,” Anderson said. “I am a firm believer in providing my students project-based, real-world connections with authentic assessments. Providing engaging, hands-on agricultural-based activities, while still incorporating the state core curriculum, gives my students the best of both worlds.”

Anderson goes above and beyond her regular teaching duties while integrating agricultural education into her curriculum. She began by hatching chickens in her classroom, and now she has helped her students plant a school garden, start an egg-selling business for charity, and maintain a year-round chicken coop.

As part of the award, Anderson will receive $500 and will be honored at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. According to the National Agriculture in the Classroom website, the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference will start June 16 in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I am very excited to attend the National Conference in Louisville this summer,” Anderson said. “I have already signed up for workshops and appreciate the opportunity to learn and provide my students with more agriculture projects in the future.”

Anderson has 31 years of teaching experience and is a member of the Utah Science Teachers Association, Cache Education Association, Utah Education Association, and the National Education Association.

Utah Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a federally funded non-profit focused on increasing agricultural awareness through education. Utah AITC works closely with the US Department of Agriculture to develop and distribute accurate educational resources that improve agricultural literacy and instill in students an appreciation for our food and fiber system.