Welcome to
Maryland Agriculture Teachers Association Inc.
Supporting Agricultural Education in Maryland one teacher at time!
MATA Teacher Spotlight
Dr. Stacy Eckles
Dr. Stacy Eckles- Southern High
How many years have you been teaching?:
5 Years at Southern High School
10 Years at Murray State University
Where did you attend college and what degrees?
Murray State University BS in Animal Health 2001
Murray State University MS in Agriculture Science 2003
Purdue University PhD in Agriculture and Biological Engineering 2006
How many schools have you been at?
Southern HS and Southern MS
Classes you teach?
CASE Plant and Animal Pathways
Ag Xplorer
Organic Growing
Cleaner World Through Plants
Environmental Science
Organizations you are part of and offices held:
MATA President Elect
Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau Secretary
Maryland Farm Bureau Ag Education Policy Committee- Member
Anne Arundel County Livestock Auction Committe Vice President
Anne Arundel County Executive Agriculture Commission - Member
Harwood 4H Livestock Club Educational Leader
Best memory you have as an agriculture teacher:
Having students overcome fears and compete in competitions outside of FFA representing and advocating for agriculture. Participating in FFA is an expectation but for students to want to be active in the fair and farm bureau is awesome. They demonstrate that what we teach is more than just the content in the classroom.
Who has impacted your teaching role in Agricultural Education the most?
My College Professor Dr. Driskill at Murray State. He was my mentor on my master's degree and then my Supervisor while teaching and he was a great role model who gave his all to his students and truly supported student growth and learning. He focused on relationship building and would have us over on Friday nights to play dominos and eat pizza, he ate lunch with his students every day and often bought our lunch. One other influence was Dr. Radford who I had for pharmacology, she would often invite her students to study around her kitchen table so she could manage her work/ life balances taking care of her kids and her students. It was very impactful to watch them build relationships with their students!
Activities/hobbies you do for fun?
I enjoy watching and helping my kids with their livestock projects and showing Jackpot Shows
I enjoy camping and traveling. I do kinda dub myself as a professional volunteer as well.
Interested in nominating a Maryland Agricultural Educator for the MATA Spotlight? Email: richard.stonebraker@fcps.org
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