By: Rilee Hall ’23
Walking through empty hallways, being the only one in the classroom, setting foot in an empty barn and teaching through a computer screen with a webcam this became the new normal for Jason Guidry‘05.
Guidry, a former Corps of Cadets member, teaches agricultural science at Royal High School in Brookshire, Texas. Teaching during this time is undoubtedly different, so Guidry shared his first-hand views about agricultural education during a nationwide pandemic.
From the beginning, Guidry knew becoming an agricultural science teacher was meant to be his path. He grew up rural with a family rooted in agriculture. They were teaching, raising livestock, being active members of the FFA organization and more.
This led to attending Texas A&M University and graduating with a degree in agricultural science. Being a member of the Corps of Cadets while in Aggieland played a large role towards his teaching career as well.
“Aside from having mandatory study times helping me keep my grades where they needed to be, the Corps taught me the necessary discipline needed to succeed,” said Guidry.
Texas A&M and the Corps prepared him for a lot, both inside and outside of the classroom. However, there was one thing they failed to touch on: being an educator in the middle of a pandemic.
The outbreak of COVID-19 affected many aspects of his career as an agriculture teacher. Especially the ability for students to participate in the hands-on learning traditionally taking place in Guidry’s classroom.
Under normal circumstances, Guidry’s students spend time in the school barn handling livestock, working with outdoor equipment, or even in the shop practicing welding techniques.
Through COVID-19, students primarily learn online with the option to attend school in-person later in the academic year. Even if students chose to attend school in-person, the hands-on learning experiences would not take place as they did before.
“The component which makes agricultural education courses so unique is not even possible through a computer screen,” Guidry explained.
The FFA organization and participating in supervised agricultural experiences play fundamental roles within high school agriculture science courses. With career development competitions, leadership development events, conventions and livestock shows canceling, the students who planned to participate were affected tremendously.
In March of 2020, Royal FFA canceled their annual livestock show and sale due to COVID-19. Roughly 65% of the students who participate in the local livestock show depend on funds made from the sale to attend college and pay for their next project.
This resulted in numerous Royal FFA members not being able to buy animals for the upcoming school year, and many were fearful of what could happen if they did. Buying a livestock project is a large financial endeavor. The possibility of not exhibiting adds an element of fear, especially for those who compete at the state and national levels, such as at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Despite the unforgiving circumstances, Guidry and his fellow agriculture teachers did not give up. Agricultural education courses hold high importance and do more than educate students about the agriculture industry.
“These classes teach life skills and allow students to build the leadership skills they need to be successful, no matter what path they take in life,” said Guidry.
A worldwide pandemic will not stop Guidry from ensuring students can participate in the same opportunities as before. He recognizes the importance of agriculture education and continues to share his passion for agriculture and every life lesson coming with it. Even if it means replacing hands-on learning with lessons over a Zoom meeting, wearing a face-covering in the show ring or standing six feet apart from your team members in a public speaking contest.
