Melody Thieme, a fourth grade teacher at Crimson View Elementary, has been selected as the state recipient of the Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award.
Melody utilizes a self-sustaining greenhouse to implement agricultural literacy outcomes including "Agriculture and the Environment," "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math," and "Culture, Society, Economy, and Geography" into core standards. For the past seven years, through trial and error, Melody has created a year-round pacing guide for 4th grade that results in hands-on learning with agriculture.
"In more than eight years of using agriculture as a context to teach core standards, I have yet to have a student not be excited to work in the greenhouse and grow plants and raise fish. Teaching is a difficult profession, but when students get involved and take ownership of their learning, it makes my job so rewarding!"
The Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award is a competitive award that annually recognizes an outstanding teacher who increases student awareness about agriculture and instills in students an appreciation for our food and fiber system. Click the link below to read more about Utah's Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award winners.
