Every student who walks through Mary Coolbaugh’s classroom door at Marcus Whitman High School is encouraged to take advantage of opportunities and to try something new.
Coolbaugh, who teaches agriculture, also advises the school’s FFA chapter (formerly Future Farmers of America) and is one of the team members who guide the school’s maple syrup operation, said that’s how kids learn, how they grow and how they become great community members.
Coolbaugh was recognized for her efforts with a district-level Golden Owl Award, which is presented by the New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation, in partnership with Nationwide Insurance and New York Farm Bureau. In addition to a surprise presentation on March 26 at the school, Coolbaugh, who was among nine other district winners, also received a $500 prize and plaque.
The overall state winner of the award, which comes with a $3,000 check, will be announced May 16 at the FFA state convention in Buffalo.
Why are ag teachers in NY being recognized?
The award recognizes ag teachers who have a “profound impact” on students and go above and beyond what is taught in the classroom, according to Todd Lighthall, executive director of the FFA Foundation.
The recognition effort also is designed to boost resources for ag education in the classroom.
“These teachers are models of hard work and community service who are cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders,” Lighthall said in a statement.
Marcus Whitman students praise their teacher
Ava Gage, a Marcus Whitman junior who is president of the school’s FFA, said Coolbaugh not only guides students in class, activities and career development events, but she devotes a lot of time outside school to those efforts.
“She helps everybody,” Ava said. “She’s always willing to lend a hand.”
Sophomore Owen Grefrath can attest. He is running for district president of FFA and Coolbaugh has helped push and prepare him for achieving his goal, which he will find out later in the spring.
“I would not be able to make it through this process without her,” Owen said.
Marcus Whitman’s Mary Coolbaugh: Ag education is important
Agricultural education is important, Coolbaugh tells her students in a number of ways. The lesson also applies to those outside of her classroom as so many are removed from the day-to-day operations of the agricultural industry.
“You need to be educated consumers about where your food is coming from,” Coolbaugh said. “The production piece of agriculture is so important.”
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY ag teacher wins ‘Golden Owl’ award
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
