I was searching for new mascara at the store when my phone rang. I looked at the number and recognized it immediately. It was the school.

 

My heart automatically beat just a little faster as I wondered what in the world my kids could have done now. All of them had graduated and I hadn’t darkened the doors of that school in more than a year. (Well – except for a few junior high basketball games, so I guess you could say I hadn’t darkened the doors of that school as a parent in over a year.)

I answered; it was the school secretary explaining that they had recently received funding to reinstate FFA and one hour of ag science in their curriculum. The excitement in her voice was palpable, but honestly, I wondered why she would be calling to tell me this good news.

The deeper we went into the discussion, the easier it was to put the pieces of the puzzle together – and then she got right down to it: “We think you would be a great ag teacher – would you consider meeting with our new superintendent to discuss the idea?” Here are a few random thoughts that ran through my head:

Me, a teacher? You’re joking. With my travel schedule I’ll be there about one day a week – maybe.

What in the world? This job could give me lots of blog fodder.

What has this woman been smoking? I don’t have a teaching degree!

I just got done with being tied to a school schedule for the last 20 years; why would I ever want to be tied to that again? Kids need to know where their food comes from … this is a great opportunity to teach that. I hated school as a kid!

 

I would be a horrible teacher! I’ve always been an FFA fan and the kids could really benefit from this.

Surely they won’t want me after they realize how much I will be gone.

Lost and bewildered in the Cover Girl aisle and obviously in a weakened state of mind, I said, “Okay, I will meet with him – but I’m not promising anything else, just a meeting. Okay?”

There was a way out of this, and his name was Bobby, my husband. I knew when I told him about this he would look at me with an unbelieving expression and say, “Are you crazy? Why would you even consider this?”

When I told him, he said, “Those kids really need to learn more about agriculture and FFA is a great program. I could help you; this could be a really fun adventure. Just think about the things we could teach them and the livestock projects we could have!” And that was that.

Today, Mr. and Mrs. Hart began a teaching “career” together, teaching one hour of ag science per day to help rejuvenate the FFA program in the school where the first pilot program for FFA in Michigan began: North Adams-Jerome.

Full disclosure: There is a program in Michigan where teachers teaching technical courses like agriculture, welding and the like do not have to have a teaching certificate but must have 4,000 hours in the industry.

And no, I do not consider myself qualified to be a teacher, nor would I ever put myself on the level of any public school teacher. They are saints to spend seven hours a day with a bunch of unpredictable kids.

Our travel plans will continue as normal; the school knew when we hired in that we would be gone quite a bit, and has agreed to work with us. One hour per day, one day at a time, with a God who holds all the plans – we will get this done. And, hopefully by the end of the school year, these students will have learned not only where their food comes from but will be able to look you in the eye when they speak with confidence, and know they are uniquely gifted to lead and influence others positively for agriculture.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.