Agriculture and Life Sciences

University-Wide Teaching Award for Meritorious Departmental Achievement in Instruction The University of Arizona Vice President for Research sponsors this award to recognize and reward departments or programs that have made unique and significant contributions to the teaching efforts of the university and to the education of students. An emphasis is placed on providing evidence that an instructional culture is primary to the department's mission. "Instructional culture" implies an attitude toward teaching ingrained in the entire department/program. This should be reflected in many ways, including the regular program review process, outcome assessment data and the program's reputation outside the institution. Having a few "superstar" teachers is not sufficient to earn an award. Instructional quality is emphasized, not instructional quantity. The winner of this award is not eligible to compete again. The honor comes with $25,000 a year for 3 consecutive years.

The department of agricultural education comprises just eight faculty. But the teamwork and dedication to excellence in teaching in the department has turned a program into a powerhouse.

The department ranks first in the country for agricultural education departments without a doctorate program. Undergraduate enrollment is increasing. And over the last decade, all graduates desiring employment have been placed in teaching and business positions.

As this year's winner of the University-Wide Award for Meritorious Departmental Achievement in Instruction, the agricultural education department receives $25,000 annually for the next three years to focus on what it does best: teaching. It is the only teacher education program in Arizona designated by the Board of Regents to prepare teachers of agricultural education.

"Our core mission is to prepare secondary teachers of agricultural science," says Jim Knight, a professor in the department. "We want to produce outstanding students and teachers by being outstanding teachers ourselves."

Housed in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the program began 80 years ago and currently serves about 100 undergraduate and 25 graduate students majoring in either teaching or the agricultural technology management option. The department's strong reputation draws students from high school agricultural science programs across Arizona and from other states.

Instruction focuses on using the most appropriate methods and techniques available, and the technology to deliver it. Faculty-developed multimedia learning centers, a 24-hour computer laboratory, web cameras and other tools assist on-campus and distance education, and produce graduates literate in the latest in computer and agricultural technology. Student course evaluations consistently yield an overall course effectiveness of 4.7 on a 5-point scale.

Each faculty member has attained a national reputation within his or her area of specialization, and all have won numerous campus and national awards. Because they model effective teaching every day, their research focuses on teaching methods and issues. Department teachers have written three textbooks and developed seven curriculum guides for high-school use. All faculty are student advisers, and students are encouraged to join clubs and organizations operating through the department.

UA agricultural education has a statewide presence as well. The department conducts an average of 18 outreach efforts annually. For 10 years it has led an Arizona Department of Education professional development project designed to assist Arizona public school teachers in becoming more effective educators. The faculty are currently involved in helping develop an articulation between the community colleges and the University of Arizona.