Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award

Who can apply for the 2027 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year?

Educators who meet the following criteria:

• Certified teachers currently engaged in PreK-12th non-vocational agriculture classroom instruction
• Teachers who have attended AITC professional development and/or the AITC summer professional development

What is the Ag in the Classroom 2027 Teacher of the Year Award?

• One PreK-12th grade teacher will be recognized for his/her creative efforts to teach students about the importance of agriculture and will be named 2027 AITC Teacher of the Year (TOY). 
• Award presentation date and location TBD.
• The AITC TOY will receive a plaque & cash prizes valued at approximately $1,500 which will include: registration & accommodations to attend the 2027 AITC National Conference in Oklahoma City, OK from June 29th - July 1st, 2027.
• During the summer AITC professional development tours, workshops, and state conference, the AITC TOY  will share his/her AITC teaching experiences.
• The TOY will be expected to fill out an application for the 2028 National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award and will attend the 2028 National AITC Conference.

Criteria for Selection

Teachers must integrate/utilize agricultural information within their classroom curriculum in an effort to assist students in learning the importance of agriculture. Teachers should highlight how they are using AITC lessons, activities, and resources to share their passion for agriculture with their students.  Innovative, integrated, and interdisciplinary programs are encouraged.

 Evaluation Criteria

1. Educator Narrative:  Share your “Ag in the Classroom Story.”  Suggested ideas to include: How did you become involved with AITC? What lessons and activities do you utilize in your classroom?  How has using AITC made a difference in your teaching career?   Why do you have a passion to educate your students about agriculture?  In what AITC training opportunities have you participated?   25 points
2. Creativity and utilization of agricultural information: Reference should be made to the creative methods utilized in advancing student learning about agriculture.  Evidence of your impact on student attitudes towards agriculture should be evident.  Suggested ideas to include: How has using AITC impacted your students’ lives?  What creative ideas have you added to the AITC lessons to make them your own? How do you involve parents, the community, or students outside your classroom?  Share how you use grants, community extensions, etc. in your classroom.  25 points
3. Interdisciplinary approach:  Share how you teach agricultural concepts in a variety of subjects and disciplines.  Value will be placed on teaching agriculture across the curriculum, however if you teach a content specific subject, such as biology or art, then share how you use AITC to expand your content and also encourage students to see agriculture as it relates to not only your subject, but others as well.  25 points
4. Documentation and photos:  Show evidence of using AITC lessons, resources, and activities in your classroom by including photographs of students engaged in AITC activities, news articles, photos of bulletin boards related to agriculture literacy, community outreach, school newsletters, grant award letters, etc.   25 pts
5. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required - one from an administrator and one from a colleague or parent. 20 pts
6. Formatting of application:  The degree to which the applicant has completed the application in accordance to the instructions.   5pts
7. Teacher must also upload a headshot photo (school photos work well!). 0 pts

Evaluation of Applications

A panel of judges familiar with agriculture, education and AITC will evaluate all applications.