2025 NAAE Convention FAST Symposium RSVP

2025 NAAE Convention FAST Symposium RSVP

Program Description
The National Association of Agricultural Educators is hosting a Future Agriscience Teacher (FAST) Symposium for all current NAAE Student Member preservice agricultural education students across the United States. The Future Agriscience Teacher (FAST) Symposium is a professional development experience for preservice agricultural education majors that provides customized professional development, networking, and mentoring with current and future agriculture teachers and stakeholders from across the country. This particular professional development event will focus on developing relationships with administrators, inquiry-based instructional practices, creating your personal ag ed network, building an inclusive and equitable program and Q&A time wtih current teachers to help you prepare for job interviews and early career success! Individuals who have attended previous FAST symposiums may encounter repeat content, however the majority of the program features new content. 

The first 100 preservice agricultural educators who apply, and meet the eligibility requirements, to attend the symposium will have the cost of their NAAE Convention/ACTE CareerTech Vision student member registration covered (up to $180) after completion of program. After successful completion of the FAST program you will email your ACTE CareerTech/NAAE Convention receipt and completed NAAE Reimbursement Form (provided during programming) to cearlywine.naae@uky.edu who will process your registration reimbursement. Institutions with multiple FAST participants can send in one reimbursement request. NAAE only reimburses up to the Advanced registration rate amount ($180) for the first 100 participants registered. If you register for NAAE Convention after October 13, 2024, the remainder of the registration cost ($15) will not be reimbursed, if eligible.

The 2025 NAAE Convention FAST Symposium will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center December 8-11, 2025. 

Program Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this program, each applicant must be:

1. An agricultural education major at a college or university that offers a program of study in agricultural education-teacher certification track or similar licensure program that ends in being certified to teach agriculture at the secondary level; M. Ed initial licensure majors are also eligible to apply as long as they have never taught before. (Priority is given to those who are close to completing their degree (seniors, student teaching candidates).
2. Majoring in agricultural education or similar degree with intentions to become an agriculture teacher;
3. Enrolled in an agricultural education degree program or similar licensure track program during the Fall 2025 semester. 
4. A 2025-2026 dues paid NAAE student member ($10). Check membership status with Ashley Hood at ahood.naae@uky.edu.
5. Student teaching in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026 (others may attend but will not be reimbursed for their registration) 
6. Those who have attended a FAST session in previous years ARE eligible to attend and receive reimbursement. 

Program Registration Requirements and Timeline
Interested and eligible preservice teachers must complete the FAST RSVP registration below by Friday, October 24, 2025- no exceptions. You are encouraged to RSVP early so you are guaranteed registration reimbursement. Please check your NAAE student member status prior to applying. Those who are not current NAAE student members will not be given access to the event.

This FAST RSVP registration is different than NAAE Convention/ACTE CareerTech Vision registration. There is no cost to attend FAST but you must RSVP your spot by completing this registration to allow NAAE to prepare for your participation. The NAAE/ACTE student registration rate gets you into FAST and all other NAAE/ACTE Convention components. You may need to ask your Teacher Educator to be certain you are registered for NAAE Convention/ACTE CareerTech Vision, if they handled your registration.

**If you HAVE NOT yet registered for NAAE Convention/ACTE CareerTech Vision, please register and use the NAAE Student Member discount code to discount your registration cost to the "early bird rate" of $155.00. You will receive the discount code in your NAAE Convention FAST Symposium RSVP confirmation email once this form is submitted. 

In order to be eligible to receive convention registration reimbursement as outlined previously, you must attend ALL mandatory FAST Sessions FULLY. This means, you must arrive by 8:30 am on Monday, December 8, 2025 for FAST Session I and stay until the final FAST session concluding at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025. If you do not, you may not be eligible for registration reimbursement.

You will book your own travel and accommodations and will be responsible for all meals and incidental expenses that are not part of the program or NAAE/ACTE convention. 

Tentative Schedule
Throughout the week of NAAE Convention, the FAST Symposium participants will receive specialized professional development, engagement with current agriculture teachers, self-care and wellness opportunities, and much more! A detailed schedule and preparation guide will be sent to all registered and eligible participants at least one week prior to the NAAE Convention FAST Symposium Program start date.  

Draft Agenda 

Monday, December 8
8:30 am-11:30am FAST Professional Development Session I 
Lunch 
1:00-5:30pm FAST Professional Development Session II 

Tuesday, December 9
Attend NAAE Sessions and Professional Development 

Wednesday, December 10
Attend NAAE Sessions, NAAE Awards Luncheon and Professional Development 

Thursday, December 11 
Attend NAAE Sessions and Professional Development 
FAST Professional Development Session III 

Once you have attended the FAST Symposium, you will receive a professional development certificate via your MyNAAE account.

Questions may be directed to Cameron Earlywine at cearlywine.naae@uky.edu.