12 Month Employment Contracts For Agriculture Teachers- hosted by Bailey Warren

This episode of Squabbles of the Soil explores the possible advantages and disadvantages of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers. Many believe that this structure of employment offers no time for agriculture teachers to have a personal life, time outside of the school, or takes them away from their families, children, spouses, and so on. There are some that argue that teachers should not be seeing students outside the normal school year, and most often it comes down to one thing: money. The first argument commonly made is that teachers are just not paid enough to spend an extra two months doing work in or related to the classroom. This episode has also been structured to be used as an instructional opportunity in classroom.  

Teaching Guide  

Topic: 12 Month Employment Contracts for Agriculture Teachers   

Host: Bailey Warren   

Guests:   

Dr. Lori Brown, Director of CTE for Maury County Schools  

Mr. Byron Peery, 2nd Generation Agriculture Teacher for Culleoka Unit School  

Objectives:  

1. I can identify at least one advantage and one disadvantage of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers.   

2. I can form my own opinion on the topic of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers.  

3. I can understand why there are 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers.   

Pre-Viewing Questions:   

1. Why might 12 month contracts be controversial?   

2. Do all agriculture programs and teachers have to be on 12 month contracts?  

3. Why are 12 month contracts usually used for agriculture programs?   

Guided Questions to follow along (to ensure participation in the podcast from students):   

1. What is normally accomplished in the 2 extra months of employment in a 12 month contract?   

2. Do you feel all agriculture programs should be 12 month programs?  

3. Do you feel that 12 month employment contracts have the potential for burnout for teachers as well as students?  

4. Do you feel as though students gain more out of the two extra months of possible instruction?   

5. What do you believe is the biggest benefit/downfall of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers   

Post Listening questions:   

1. What is your stance on 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers?   

2. What is at least one advantage and one disadvantage of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers?   

3. Do you think agriculture teachers should get a bonus incentive for the two extra months of work?