Cameron Frazier, South Putnam High School, has successfully completed the 2022 Agricultural Mechanics Academy, a national agricultural educator training event hosted at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.
Frazier was one of 20 participants from across the United States selected to participate in the 2022 Agricultural Mechanics Academy.
“I enjoyed honing in on my ag mechanics skills with 19 other ag teachers from across the country! It allowed me to enjoy and feel more confident teaching this subject. I want to thank you South Putnam Middle/High School for your support as well as Janna Oxford, North Putnam High School Agriculture Teacher for recommending me for this opportunity. I’m excited to teach the Ag Powers, Strutctures and Technologies course this year!”
This year was the second year of the Agricultural Mechanics Academy, an intensive 10-day training that included hands-on learning and train-the-trainer style lessons in agricultural mechanics focused on small gas engines, residential wiring, and welding. This first of the kind training was held Aug 2-11 under the direction of Dr. Ryan Anderson, professor in agricultural education and agricultural mechanics at Texas State University. Dr. Anderson was able to develop and host this training at no cost to the participants through funding by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
“The agricultural mechanics academy provided a tremendous opportunity for teachers across the nation to receive the training and skills necessary to be successful in the agricultural mechanics courses that they teach. Agricultural mechanics is a critical component of many rural communities and a core part of many agricultural education programs,” states Dr. Anderson. “This is an opportunity I wish I had as an early career educator.”
Participants of the academy received numerous classroom items and teaching resources for being selected and participating in the academy. Those items include curriculum, and tools from Briggs & Stratton with training provided by Power Distributors; welding gear packs, curriculum, and training from Lincoln Electric; and Agricultural Technical Systems and Mechanics textbooks from American Technical Publishers. Participants in the academy exceeded over 120 Continuing Education Credit hours for participating.