This week marks an exciting holiday for everyone in the agricultural education family, National Teach Ag Day! As we prepare to celebrate one of our favorite days of the year, it’s important to reflect on our awesome ag teachers and why we love them so much! Have you thanked your ag teacher lately? Here's 13 good reasons why you should!

1. They gave you confidence

Whether they ‘voluntold’ you to sign up for the chapter creed contest, encouraged you to apply for chapter president, or sat you down and told you that they believed in you, there’s a good chance that you are a confident and successful person today because of the actions of your ag teacher.

2. They were there for you

I still remember coming into the mechanics shop crying one morning of my sophomore year. My ag teacher didn’t even hesitate; he grabbed my two best friends, prayed with us, and after waiting until I was calmed down, wrote me an excuse for being late to class. This story is just one example of the thousands of times our ag teachers were there when we needed them.

3. They made you laugh

There’s just something about ag teachers that makes them extra corny (haha, get it?). Seriously though, the times I’ve laughed the hardest in my life were in the back of a van on a trip to National FFA Convention.

4. They pushed you

There’s no growth in the comfort zone and ag teachers know this. We may have been annoyed with them from time to time but the more they pushed, the more we grew.

5. They taught you so much

Animal science, responsibility. Food science, work ethic. Plant science, life lessons. Ag mechanics, bravery. Ag teachers may teach a written curriculum but the closer you look, the more you realize that it’s so much more than that.

6. They coached you

Whether in a CDE, an SAE, a school sport, or life in general, our ag teachers are also some of the greatest coaches we’ve ever had. I have two national level CDE awards that I know would not have ever graced my jacket without the hard work, knowledge, and tolerance of my advisors.

7. They understood the deeper stuff

Speaking of CDE awards, while our advisors loved to make sure we got lots of awards and pins, they also made sure that each event we competed in made us stronger, more confident, and more humble.

8. They made sacrifices

Believe it or not, ag teachers have lives outside of their jobs, kind of, hopefully. Seriously though, ag teachers sacrifice their time, money, and literally lives for their students.

9. They made so many memories with you

When I think back to high school, about 99.9% of my memories involve my ag teacher.

10. They always made sure you looked your best

Tuck in that tallywacker!

11. They are “here by the owl”

“The owl is a time-honored emblem of knowledge and wisdom. Being older than the rest of you, I am asked to advise you from time to time as the need arises. I hope that my advice will always be based on true knowledge and ripened with wisdom.” Need I say more?

12. They’re unsung heroes

Pretty sure the next Avengers movie will actually be about ag teachers, cause seriously, they’re heroes.

13. They are shaping the future of our country

Ag teachers may not be recognized for it often, but they really are training the leaders of tomorrow. Our world is in good hands if you ask me.