2025 NAAE State/Region Professional Development Institute Request

XLR8
Background of Program
Retaining quality experienced teachers is important to the future of agricultural education. In 2013, NAAE developed XLR8 — the eXcellence in Leadership for Retention professional development program — to meet the needs of mid-career agriculture teachers by improving career satisfaction and increasing the overall retention of agriculture teachers. 
 
Since its inception in 2013, NAAE has developed the skills of over 300 teachers related to career satisfaction through the program and ninety-eight percent of program participants remain in the agricultural education profession today.  Due to its overall success, state ag teachers associations have requested the training within their states.  Currently the program has expanded to include regional and state institutes across the nation. 

In addition to the national year-long program, there will be ten (10) NAAE XLR8 Regional/State Institutes throughout the nation. 

Format of Program:

• The program shall consist of at least 6-8 hours of professional development related to the objectives of the program.
• NAAE Facilitators will be responsible for presenting high quality professional development and providing follow up of the program.

Objectives of Program
The NAAE XLR8 Institutes at the regional and state level:

• Provide programming focused on the needs of 7-15 year agriculture teachers to increase overall career satisfaction
• Focus on topics related to work-life integration, time management and prioritization, effective delegation, stress management, and teacher leadership
• Create a cohort of well-balanced teacher leaders who will promote career satisfaction and retention within their region and state  

Ag I2
Background of Program
The NAAE Agriscience Inquiry Institute (NAAE Ag I²) was developed out of the need for more state focused professional developments related to inquiry based teaching and the enhancement of science in agricultural education.  The format and core of the state NAAE Ag I² is based on the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy (NATAA).  NATAA has over fifteen years of successfully cultivating agriscience and inquiry-based learning in agricultural education. NATAA serves to train agriculture teachers on how to develop students as problems solvers and thinkers through the inquiry-based teaching method. The products of the NATAA are trained agriculture teachers who are referred to as National Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors (NATA). State/Regional Institutes will utilized trained NATA to deliver inquiry-based professional development to the teachers in the state/region. Participants of NAAE Ag I²will engage in hands-on professional development that will allow them to deliver inquiry-based teaching and lessons in their own classrooms. 

Objectives of Program
The NAAE Agriscience Inquiry Institute (NAAE Ag I²) seeks to:

• Provide teachers with educational resources and inquiry-based teaching skills to implement science-based activities in the agricultural education classroom. 
• Share lesson plans, laboratory exercises and teaching strategies in order to improve the resources available to teaching Agriscience in the state.
• Incorporate literacy strategies that enhance student learning and tie back to Common Core standards.
• Provide examples of how Common Core and science standards naturally fit and enhance existing agricultural education curriculum.
• Train and influence the next generation and future employees who will advance agricultural sciences to the next level.

Format of Program:

• The program shall consist of at least 15 hours of professional development related to the objectives of the program.
• The state/region will need to provide table tubs and table tub supplies.
• The state/region will also need to supply safety goggles for all participants.
• National Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors from the state, NAAE, and National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Mentor Facilitator will be responsible for presenting high quality professional development and providing follow up of the program.

Early Career Elements
Background of Program
The NAAE Early Career Elements program was developed to assist with early career teacher retention and wellbeing.  The format of this program is based similarly to NAAE Teachers Turn the Key program. Teachers Turn the Key is one of NAAE's oldest and long-standing programs. This program seeks to engage professionals in exploration of their purpose, passion, and professionalism. This cohort experience invites agriculture teachers who are in their 1st-5th year of teaching agriculture. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of their purpose, tools to make life as an agriculture teacher easier, and a support system of colleagues that will continue to encourage participants long after the program concludes State/Regional programs will utilize trained NAAE facilitators to deliver reflective and impactful professional development activities.

Objectives of Program
The NAAE Early Career Elements Program seeks to:

• Provide programming focused on the needs of 1st-5th year agriculture teachers to increase overall career satisfaction
• Focus on topics related to work-life integration, time management, boundary setting, effective delegation, stress management, and teacher leadership. 
• Create a cohort of well-balanced teacher leaders who will promote career satisfaction and retention within their region and state.

Format of Program:

• The program shall consist of at least 6-8 hours of professional development related to the objectives of the program.
• NAAE Facilitators will be responsible for presenting high quality professional development and providing follow up of the program.

Future Agriscience Teacher (FAST)
Background of Program
The NAAE Future Agriscience Teacher (FAST) Symposium is a professional development experience for preservice agricultural educators who are NAAE student members. This program provides customized professional development, networking, and mentoring with current and future agriculture teachers.

One major component of the FAST Programming is the inquiry-based teaching methods. NAAE has over 15 years of success cultivating inquiry-based learning in agricultural education through the NAAE National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador program. This component serves to train preservice teachers on how to enhance the science that is already present within their curriculum pertaining to the agriculture industry, as well as develop students as problem solvers and thinkers through the inquiry-based teaching method. The training includes industry related labs with a high amount of science content using the "inquiry-based" approach to student learning.

Additional components of the program will include information about NAAE and the benefits of being an NAAE member, content specific curriculum that highlights and promotes key aspects of the agricultural industry, information to help participants advocate for support of their agricultural program, assistance with transitioning to the classroom, and material to help determine priorities of a new teacher. 

Objectives of Program

• Provide participants with a deeper understating of NAAE and what the organization offers both preservice teachers and active teachers who are members of NAAE. 
• Provide participants with educational resources and inquiry-based teaching skills to implement activities in the classroom related to their industry. 
• Share lesson plans, laboratory exercises and teaching strategies to improve the resources available to teaching inquiry-based instruction.
• Incorporate initiatives to further expand knowledge and resources on local cooperatives.
• Equip participants with many tools in which they can utilize to advocate for their program to a diverse audience. 
• Assist participants with the adjustment of transitioning into the classroom.
• Empower participants to determine and set priorities for being a new teacher. 

Teacher Resiliency 
Background of Program
The NAAE Ag Teacher Resiliency program was developed as part of the NAAE's Wise & Well Initiatives with the main goal of assisting teachers with building resilience within themselves to ensure success and longevity in the profession. NAAE understands that being an agriculture teacher is demanding but important work, therefore, it is critical to build resilience, especially for challenging times. This program focuses on building resiliency through active learning, self reflection, and engaging in a network of agricultural educators. This program is designed to equip teachers with the tools to maintain a satisfying career through positive and challenging times. 

Objectives of Program
The NAAE Ag Teacher Resiliency Program seeks to: 

• Provide programming focused on teacher resiliency and strategies to continue to build resilience. 
• Create a cohort of well-balanced teacher leaders who will promote career satisfaction and retention within their region and state.

Development of Program:
The NAAE Ag Teacher Resiliency program is a new professional development learning opportunity for states and regions in 2024-2025. NAAE facilitators will implement this professional development program on the state/regional level.  

Format of Program:
NAAE programs can be conducted at the regional and/or state level.  NAAE will provide programming support and funding to assist with the planning and implementation to meet the brand and quality standards developed by NAAE for the NAAE Ag Teacher Resiliency program.  Brand and quality standards include (1) The program will consist of at 60 minutes, 90-minute or 3 hours of professional development related to the objectives of the program; (2) The program will be facilitated by a NAAE Facilitator approved by NAAE; and (3) Each participant must be a current NAAE member and register for the program.  

• The professional development program can be implemented in a 60 minutes, 90 minutes or an extended 3 hour program. 
• NAAE Facilitators will be responsible for presenting high quality professional development and providing follow up of the program.

Participant Eligibility 

• All participants must be an active NAAE active member.
• Agriculture teachers at any stage of their career.

NAAE and State Responsibilities 
Statement of Collaboration and Responsibilities:

NAAE will:

1. Fund program materials and facilitation of the program including preparation, travel, and facilitation stipend for NAAE facilitator, with a total value of $2500-$3500 depending on the program. 
2. Develop agenda and program details around regional/state schedule.
3. Provide promotional materials/ descriptions to be used in the promotion of the program at the region/state level.  
4. Certify the professional development hours for each participant and provide a certificate as evidence of those hours through the MyNAAE on the NAAE website. 
5. Provide additional support as the two parties agree on and deem necessary. 

Region/State will:

1. Fund program materials for each participant used during the program. NAAE will provide the program material list to the state for budgeting purposes. States will be responsible for program costs. XLR8, Agriscience Inquiry Institutes, Early Career Elements, and FAST for 12 minimum participants will be $2,000. Teacher resiliency workshops will be $500 for 60 minutes, $750 for 90 minute workshops, or $1000 for a 3 hour workshop. The cost covers a minimum of 12 participants, each additional participant will cost an additional fee determined by NAAE.  At the conclusion of the program, states will be invoiced for the remaining balance if applicable. Deposit for program is due at least two weeks prior to the program date. 
2. Denote a coordinator to assist with planning and set-up throughout the process.  
3. Ensure a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 25 for the program.  
4. Promote the program through appropriate channels using promotional materials provided by NAAE. 
5. Provide a space to conduct the program along with AV equipment (projectors, screens, etc.) 
6. Provide Post-It note Poster Pads for presenters. 
7. Provide recognition to NAAE and the supporting sponsors for the program.
8. Provide an opportunity for future follow-up with the group that may or may not include an in-person component. 
9. Provide a total number of participants at least two weeks prior to the event for shipping purposes. 
10. Provide additional support as the two parties deem necessary. 

*Programs will cost $2000 with a minimum of 12 participants required with the exception of programs outlined above.  Programs that exceed 25 participants will require an additional facilitator and therefore will have additional costs associated with the program.