Mark your calendar for The State Staff Connection Series!  Below is the complete programming for 2025.  All sessions are at 4 pm ET via Zoom.  Links and session descriptions will be shared closer to each individual event.  In addition the the schedule below, we be hosting a new state staff session one hour prior to the connections zoom in February and July.  

Topic: Prioritizing Wellness: Tools for You and Your Students

Overview: This session will focus on self-care strategies, recognizing student needs related to mental health struggles and promoting overall well-being within your community, chapter and state.  Attendees will receive practical takeaways and resources to support both their own mental health and that of the students and student leaders.  

Recording: Can be found here!
Resources: Can be found here!

Topic: FFA Related Policies

Overview: An engaging session designed specifically for state staff seeking to deepen their understanding of FFA-related policies and enhance their professional development journey. This workshop will provide a space for collaboration, discussion, and learning around key state-level policies that impact programming, events, and staff responsibilities. Participants will explore best practices, share challenges and successes, and build stronger connections with fellow professionals from across the region.  

Notes: Can be found here!
NASDA Flyer: Can be found here!

Topic: Unlocking the Power of AI in Ag Education & FFA

Overview: Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way we work, teach, and lead—and agricultural education is no exception. In this interactive session, we’ll explore AI as a tool to enhance and supplement our work in agricultural education and the FFA. Discover practical AI applications that can streamline tasks, generate ideas, and support student engagement. Engage in meaningful discussions on ethics, best practices, and the evolving role of AI in our field. Plus, hear from Jill Wagner as she answers your questions about the National FFA AI policy. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of AI in ag education!

Recording: Can be found here!
Resources: Can be found here!

Topic: Managing Volunteers in all of our Events

Overview: Volunteers are the backbone of any successful event, but managing them effectively takes planning, communication, and leadership. In this workshop, we will discuss best practices for recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers while ensuring they feel valued and motivated. We will discuss strategies for clear role assignments, troubleshooting common challenges, and creating a positive volunteer experience that keeps them coming back.  Additionally, we will break out for regional meetings and catch ups.  

Recording: Can be found here!

Topic: Marketing in AgEd & How do you Recognize Teachers and Students?

Overview: Join your NASAE colleagues for a conversation with Ugly Mug Marketing, a firm from Alexandria, Louisiana that provides services in website design, social media marketing, event planning, search engine optimization, and more. This discussion will provide us with ideas on how to better market our ag education programs to the public and to our stakeholders and give us insight on how marketing firms can work with FFA associations to enhance our events. 

Recording: Can be found here!
Resources: Found Here

Topic: Know Before you Go: Prepping for National FFA Convention & Expo

Overview: What do you need to know before heading to Indianapolis at the end of the month?  How can NASAE help you feel prepared for this event?  Perhaps you are unsure how to navigate the city, or maybe you need food ideas for your state officers - the conversation is yours!  If you are new to NASAE, this would be a great chance for you to meet others who may be attending for the first time, too!  The conversation will be driven by your questions and needs. 

Topic: Middle School Ag Ed Programs

Overview: State staff and middle school ag teachers will join us for a panel discussion on best practices for creating, supervising, managing, and growing middle school programs. Topics will include middle school curriculum and opportunities for middle school members.

Find the recording here!

Topic: Coaching State Officers and Teachers

Overview: Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

Topic: Developing Your Team Ag Ed

Overview: We will start as one group to discuss how to develop your team ag ed.  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

Topics: Creating Programs and FFA Chapters at Non-Traditional Schools

Overview: We will start as one group to establish a base-line for what is a non-traditional school.  Participants will then choose the breakout (Program or FFA Chapter) that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

Watch the Recording

Topics: Crisis Management & Data Collection and Reporting

Overview: Participants will choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

Recordings:
Crisis Management
Data Collection

Topics: Regional Meeting, CDE/LDE Coordination & Industry Credentials and Certifications

Overview: We will kick-off the series with a short regional meeting to meet new faces and share wins and challenges.  Participants will then choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• The CDE/LDE Coordination breakout will focus on tips and tricks for coordinating successful CDEs/LDEs. 
• The Industry Credentials and Certifications breakout will focus on credentials and certifications students may attain through CDEs/LDEs or at the completion of a course.

Topics: SAE-Based Degrees & Awards and SAE For All

Overview:  Participants will choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it be organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to the two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  Wha you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• SAE-Based Degrees & Awards breakout will focus on how states manage degrees and awards, what resources are available to students and teachers, etc.
• The SAE for All breakout will focus on how states are currently or plan to roll it out to their teachers, how states have incorporated SAE for All into state policies/standards/program approvals, etc.

Watch the recordings here!

Topics: Planning Professional Development for Teachers

Overview:  Participants will choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it be organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to the two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• Breakout #1 Planning PD activities for teachers throughout the year
• Breakout #2 Planning PD for state-wide/summer teacher conference

Recordings:
Opening Discussion
Year Around PD
Summer PD

Topic: Know Before you Go: Prepping for National FFA Convention & Expo

Overview: What do you need to know before heading to Indianapolis at the end of the month?  How can NASAE help you feel prepared for this event?  Perhaps you are unsure how to navigate the city, or maybe you need food ideas for your state officers - the conversation is yours!  If you are new to NASAE, this would be a great chance for you to meet others who may be attending for the first time, too!  The conversation will be driven by your questions and needs. 

Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NfEFh2s4ktI4crn462teXOZwLYD-Xnm6/view?usp=drive_link

Topic: National FFA Convention & Expo Registration & Suggested Topics Brought to Us by YOU!

Overview: As we round out this year’s The State Staff Connection Series, it’s time for YOU to share the topics you need to discuss.  What do you need to talk about?  What advice/guidance will help you make the 2023-2024 school year be the best yet?  Help us determine the topics by completing this short survey: https://forms.gle/LM5etPvn8eGWYj5q6.

Recordings: State Officer Team Management and Including Students with Disabilities

Topic: The Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET)

Overview: Roger Hanagriff will join us to discuss FFA and Program Management Tools & Reporting tools in the AET.  The AET system is a comprehensive student-centered agricultural education management system designed to help students track their education experiences and document them.  The AET also provides additional features for state staff.  Attend this session to see what the AET has to offer and some of the newest features!

Recording: 
AET Update

When: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 @ 3:00 PM EDT

Topics: Regional Meeting, Annual FFA Report & On-boarding New Teachers

Overview: We will kick-off the series with a short regional meeting to touch base with our regional colleagues.  Participants will then choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• Lisa Barger from National FFA, will join us for the Annual FFA Report breakout which will focus on navigating the system and completing this annual requirement.
• The On-boarding New Teachers breakout will focus on how state staff welcome new ag teachers to their state and what resources are provided to them.

Recording:
On-Boarding New State Staff

Topics: FFA Leadership Programs and Creation of Programs at Non-Traditional Schools

Overview: Participants will choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• The FFA Leadership Programs breakout will focus on sharing ideas for leadership programming offered at the regional or state level for members.
• The Creation of Programs at Non-Traditional Schools will focus on sharing best practices for the creation of programs at non-traditional schools.

Join us on Friday, May 19, at 1 p.m. EDT for a professional development opportunity entitled Fill Up Your Bucket: Beat Burnout & Boost Retention, presented by Reagan Pugh. This session has been planned by the National FFA, the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education, the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the American Association for Agricultural Education for the agricultural education profession. The webinar recording, the PowerPoint and the handout are now available. The materials will be available until Monday, July 31. 

Session Overview:

Being a teacher is tough, and over the last few years, it's become even tougher. Teachers are expected to do more than ever, and state staff are struggling to keep up. But it doesn't have to be this way.

In this workshop, we'll show you how to fill up your bucket, so you can support yourself and others without burning out. We'll share fun and practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt, imposter syndrome and being overwhelmed.

We won't use fancy terms like "post-pandemic" or "post-COVID mental health" — we'll focus on what works. And by the end of the workshop, you'll have a toolbox of ideas to support yourself and others.

This workshop is perfect for teachers, state staff, national staff, teacher educators and even students who want to support their educators. Together, let's fill our buckets, beat burnout and boost retention.

Topics: 100% Affiliation and Teacher Mentorship

Overview: Participants will choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• The 100% Affiliation breakout will focus on sharing ideas for implementing and funding 100% affiliation. 
• The Teacher Mentorship breakout will focus on sharing ideas for supporting teachers, whether informal or formal programming.

Watch: Watch the recordings here

Topics: Regional Meeting, State Convention Engagement & Programming, and State Officer Transition

Overview: We will kick-off the series with a short regional meeting to meet new faces and share wins and challenges.  Participants will then choose the breakout that best meets their needs (feel free to jump between the two rooms).  Each breakout will have a series of prompts to help guide the conversation, but let it become organic!  This is time dedicated for you to get what you need as it relates to these two topics.  And don’t be afraid to share!  What you may feel is a small idea may be someone’s grand solution.

• The State Convention Engagement & Programming breakout will focus on ideas to increase or enhance engagement at your state convention with teachers, students, sponsors, etc. 
• The State Officer Transition breakout will focus on transitioning state officers out of office and helping them quantify the experience.