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AKRON – To recognize the contributions of Indiana’s leading agricultural teachers, the Indiana FFA and Nationwide are honoring eight exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.
One of those finalists is Mike Jones, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation (TVSC).
From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, nominations were collected for the state’s top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across Indiana, according to a news release from TVSC.
Each finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $500 check to support future educational efforts. Next, they’ll be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as Indiana Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.
Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support their programs with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This year, the award program honors outstanding ag educators in 15 states: California, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Utah.
“As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, we are proud to thank and honor these hardworking agricultural teachers for their dedication,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “These educators play a crucial role in preparing students for successful careers in the industry.”
In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to the Indiana to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
