One of the things I enjoy most about trips like ACES or SLLC or National Convention, is how much time I get to enjoy with my students, the professional development with peers, and the time to focus on the role of an FFA advisor when away from school. For me, the most learning I've done has been outside of the classroom managing students and upholding responsibility for getting students where they need to be with the things they require for success. The advisor role is the characteristic of an agriculture teacher that differs from most any other teacher. One thing I have learned through experience gained on this trip was how much you have to think ahead for even the smallest and most insignificant details on a trip. For example, whether or not your school van will fit in the parking garage where you intended to park it. Should plan A fail, plan B better work and come with a side plan C for what to do if you were to miss your scheduled tour. A trip really needs to be tightly planned and have nearly all details accounted for prior to departure. What can be worse is that sometimes you just don't know what it will look like until you've gone through it once or twice.
Despite the hiccups along the way, students will usually be forgiving and appreciate your effort. Some of our biggest blunders on a trip are not only a valuable lesson for next year, but a good story as well. I went into student teaching nervous about how I could handle the advisor role of an agriculture teacher, but I've found with careful planning, some flexibility and little humor you can make things happen. Its important to be intentional when planning trips/ events, but also willing to try new things while you go. One of the lessons that have stuck with me through the week is that even if it isn't like it is planned out in your head, you are still bettering the lives and learning of your students. It would be interesting to hear other ag teacher's crazy field trip experiences. When did something on a trip not go as planned? What did you learn from past mistakes? How were you reflective in your planning process year to year? What new adventures made you nervous the first time you planned for them?
Hi Ryan!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You're so right! It takes as much (if not more) to be gone as it does to be at school! I'd definitely encourage finding some help if you're a single person department, but that's another conversation.
You also asked some great questions about field trip experiences! I remember very few field trips where everything went as planned, but that's probably more because I remember the crazy ones than that there were THAT MANY ridiculous ones. You also get to make a lot of memories on field trips because of the informal connections you're able to make and the ways everyone can relax a little bit away from school.
I made a mistake every field trip, and I guess that's what helps you learn. I was white-knuckled the first time I took a school van somewhere. I don't really remember what was so terrifying, but it was scary. I had kids drive themselves places and shouldn't have, and was nervous for EVERY adventure the first time around (and usually at least the second). There were also some things I didn't plan for very well that I would definitely do differently, looking back. For example, I never took a male chaperone on overnight trips. Granted, conventions had enough guys around and camps/conferences have male teachers that stick around too, but it was pretty dumb of me not to take someone else.
I emailed you two additional stories that were a little long for this post.
I wish I could prevent all the mistakes you'll make on field trips the first year, but if nothing else, I hope this is at least a little reassuring: Trying hard to think of even one of the million mistakes I made on field trips, nothing is really coming to mind. The mistakes make the memories; it's okay if you forget something, are a little late, or show up on the wrong day. It all sorts out; you'll keep building relationships with your kids and you'll correct the mistake for future trips. :-)