2021-2024 NAAE Region II Vice PresidentEmail: daleck@bps-ok.org
Career Profile:
Agricultural Educator in Oklahoma for 12 YearsElgin High School
Newcastle High School
Bartlesville High School
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education, Oklahoma State University
Master of Science in Agricultural Education, Oklahoma State University
Professional Accomplishments:
OkACTE New Teacher of the Year, 2017
NAAE Region II Outstanding Young Member, 2017
NAAE Region II Ideas Unlimited, 2017
CASE Certified in AFNR, ASP, and AgX
Why is NAAE important to you?
NAAE is important to me because it serves as the unifying voice for agricultural educators, ensuring that our profession is supported, appreciated, and continually advancing. From the very start of my career, being an active member in this organization connected me to a network of passionate professionals who not only shared their expertise but also encouraged and supported me. Those early experiences provided me with essential resources, mentors, and professional development opportunities that kept me motivated and confident in the classroom.
Through NAAE, I found a community that stood by me, helping me navigate the challenges of teaching and inspiring me to stay in the field. Now, I want to give back in the same way — by advocating for, mentoring, and empowering our current and future educators. I believe that through my involvement and leadership in NAAE, I can help ensure that every ag teacher, especially those just starting out, whether through traditional or alternative certification, has access to the same kind of meaningful support and guidance that I received. NAAE has made an impact on my career and life, and I am committed to serving in a way that helps sustain and expand that impact for others.
What do you want to accomplish as you serve as President-Elect in our organization?
As President-Elect, I want to strengthen three key areas within NAAE: advancing teacher wellness and engagement, strengthening partnerships and public perception, and enhancing communication.
Advancing Teacher Wellness and Engagement: The well-being of our educators is essential to the success of agricultural programs. I want to prioritize initiatives that promote teacher engagement, work-life balance, and overall wellness, no matter a member’s career stage, so they feel connected and empowered to contribute. This includes expanding our resources such as wellness workshops, increasing leadership development pathways, developing new platforms for networking and collaboration, and creating more avenues for members to share feedback and directly influence the direction of our organization. When our educators feel supported, they are more effective in the classroom and more likely to stay in the profession. By deepening engagement, we can better serve our members and harness the collective expertise within NAAE.
Strengthening Partnerships and Public Perception: Agricultural educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of the industry, yet our contributions often go unnoticed. NAAE thrives when we leverage partnerships with industry leaders, community organizations, and other educational associations. I want to elevate the visibility of NAAE and its members by strengthening our public relations and storytelling efforts. I aim to deepen existing collaborations and actively seek out new ones that can provide additional resources, curriculum enhancements, and funding opportunities for our members. By building these strong relationships, we can amplify the reach of agricultural education and ensure our programs and association remains at the forefront of career and technical education.
Enhancing Member Communication: Clear and consistent communication is essential for keeping our members informed, engaged, and connected. I want to focus on streamlining communication channels within NAAE, making it easier for members to access information, share their experiences, and stay updated on organizational initiatives. This could include expanding our existing digital tools like newsletters, social media, and member forums, as well as creating more opportunities for dialogue through roundtable discussions and virtual meetings. Improving how we communicate will strengthen our sense of community and collaboration across the organization.
By focusing on these areas, I aim to ensure that NAAE continues to be a vibrant, forward-thinking agricultural education organization that meets the needs of all its new and experienced members and amplifies the essential work we do every day in our local schools and communities.
