Problems Facing Beginning Agriculture Teachers

Abstract

One of the most pressing issues facing agricultural education as a profession is the shortage of qualified teachers to fill existing and future secondary agricultural education vacancies. To date, the agricultural education profession has been only moderately effective in recruiting and retaining teachers (Camp, Broyles, & Skelton, 2002). The purpose of this study was to develop a consensus listing of the major problems facing beginning agricultural education teachers. By gaining a better understanding of the major problems beginning agricultural education teachers face, pre-service teacher education programs can better prepare potential teachers to deal with these obstacles. Likewise, professional development programs for current teachers could be established and/or modified to address these problems. This study utilized the Delphi method to develop this listing of major problems. An expert panel of teachers with three or fewer years of experience was established. This panel identified 11 major issues facing beginning agriculture teachers. The top five, as rated by the panel members, were: organizing an effective alumni chapter, organizing an effective advisory committee, organizing and planning FFA chapter events and activities, the management of student discipline in the classroom, and recruiting and retaining alumni members.