Robin Grundmeyer
Corona Norco Unified School District
Norco High School
Agriculture Department Chair/FFA Advisor
9-12 Grade
Floral Design, Advanced floral Design, Agriculture Government/Economics
I
Being an Agriculture Teacher isn't really a career choice...it's choosing a lifestyle. This "job" is not a 7:00 am to 3:00 pm for nine months out of the year. Agriculture Education is a year round profession; teaching classes, developing student leaders, building community relationships, developing career pathways, maintaining a working farm, mentoring students, fostering an appreciation for the agricultural industry, coaching teams, and part time veterinarian. The work is demanding, both physically and emotionally. Twelve to fourteen hour days are typical...but I wouldn't have it any other way. The rewards of this profession are immeasurable; the FFA mission statement says it best. "FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through agricultural education."
Norco has been home for most of my life, I treasure the uniqueness of this place dubbed "Horsetown, USA". This town has allowed me to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment which taught me the importance of community and the true meaning of volunteerism. I am continually humbled by the spirit of this town. My family has chosen Norco to be the place where we will raise our children. My two boys are active in the community; playing baseball with Norco Little League and being members of the Alvord Aggies 4H group. The small town atmosphere of Norco is the perfect place for my children to grow up.
Being an Agriculture Teacher isn't really a career choice...it's choosing a lifestyle. This "job" is not a 7:00 am to 3:00 pm for nine months out of the year. Agriculture Education is a year round profession; teaching classes, developing student leaders, building community relationships, developing career pathways, maintaining a working farm, mentoring students, fostering an appreciation for the agricultural industry, coaching teams, and part time veterinarian. The work is demanding, both physically and emotionally. Twelve to fourteen hour days are typical...but I wouldn't have it any other way. The rewards of this profession are immeasurable; the FFA mission statement says it best. "FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through agricultural education."
Norco has been home for most of my life, I treasure the uniqueness of this place dubbed "Horsetown, USA". This town has allowed me to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment which taught me the importance of community and the true meaning of volunteerism. I am continually humbled by the spirit of this town. My family has chosen Norco to be the place where we will raise our children. My two boys are active in the community; playing baseball with Norco Little League and being members of the Alvord Aggies 4H group. The small town atmosphere of Norco is the perfect place for my children to grow up.
WHY HUNGER?
In the Agriculture Program we are afforded the privilege of having students for three to four years of their high school career. It is such a blessing to see the growth and development of these young people. During this time relationships are built that are unique, the level of trust between Agriculture staff and Agriculture students runs deep. That type of trust allows for openness and authenticity. Through the years I have found that several of our students struggled with hunger. Sometimes it was just a short period of time and for others it was a chronic issue. I have always been the teacher that had food available in my classroom for students, every campus has those teachers who keep a stash of food on hand for hungry students.
During the TLCA program I decided that I should try to develop a program that served more students. End Hunger, Increase Learning was developed as my Capstone project. It is my hope to spread the program to other schools through Agriculture Education programs in Riverside County. There is absolutely no reason why children should be hungry, ever.
In the Agriculture Program we are afforded the privilege of having students for three to four years of their high school career. It is such a blessing to see the growth and development of these young people. During this time relationships are built that are unique, the level of trust between Agriculture staff and Agriculture students runs deep. That type of trust allows for openness and authenticity. Through the years I have found that several of our students struggled with hunger. Sometimes it was just a short period of time and for others it was a chronic issue. I have always been the teacher that had food available in my classroom for students, every campus has those teachers who keep a stash of food on hand for hungry students.
During the TLCA program I decided that I should try to develop a program that served more students. End Hunger, Increase Learning was developed as my Capstone project. It is my hope to spread the program to other schools through Agriculture Education programs in Riverside County. There is absolutely no reason why children should be hungry, ever.