Ag Teacher Talk Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:36:25 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395039 en-us © 2026 Ag Teacher Talk yes dd4fb384-3a17-5823-ab64-ada1ffff70fc tori@texasagteachers.org ATAT episodic false An agriculture education podcast, brought to you by ATAT

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) ATAT tori@texasagteachers.org https://storage.buzzsprout.com/dts753q50sl5f2nog43d92c2fchx?.jpg Ag Teacher Talk Episode 14: National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program Episode 14: National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program Episode 14 of Ag Teacher Talk is all about the National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program. In this episode, Michelle is joined by several of our Texas National FFA Teacher Ambassadors to discuss the ins and outs of the program. 

Adrianna Segura, Tanner Smith, Macie Cheatham, and Kasey Naylor discuss topics including: 

  • What are the goals of the National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program
  • Experiences they've had as ambassadors
  • Who should think about applying for the program

For more information on the National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program, visit: https://www.ffa.org/teacherambassadors/

Teacher Talk is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and can be found here on our website: https://bit.ly/3ATd8C2


]]> Episode 14 of Ag Teacher Talk is all about the National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program. In this episode, Michelle is joined by several of our Texas National FFA Teacher Ambassadors to discuss the ins and outs of the program. 

Adrianna Segura, Tanner Smith, Macie Cheatham, and Kasey Naylor discuss topics including: 

  • What are the goals of the National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program
  • Experiences they've had as ambassadors
  • Who should think about applying for the program

For more information on the National FFA Teacher Ambassador Program, visit: https://www.ffa.org/teacherambassadors/

Teacher Talk is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and can be found here on our website: https://bit.ly/3ATd8C2


]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-18671979 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500 873 1 14 full true Episode Thirteen: Making the Most of Your Early Career Episode Thirteen: Making the Most of Your Early Career Episode Thirteen of Ag Teacher Talk is live! In this episode, Ray and Michelle are joined by Tanner Smith, AST at Arlington, to discuss the importance of and ways to get your career off on the right foot. While the focus may be on early career teachers, educators in any stretch of their career will find value in the practical examples Tanner gives and be motivated by his passion!

Topics covered include: 

  • Getting Connected to Your Campus, School, and Community
  • Learning from Everyone
  • Doing the Hard Work While You Can
  • Focusing on All Areas of the Job
  • Finding a Sustainable Balance

Teacher Talk is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and can be found here on our website: https://bit.ly/3ATd8C2

]]> Episode Thirteen of Ag Teacher Talk is live! In this episode, Ray and Michelle are joined by Tanner Smith, AST at Arlington, to discuss the importance of and ways to get your career off on the right foot. While the focus may be on early career teachers, educators in any stretch of their career will find value in the practical examples Tanner gives and be motivated by his passion!

Topics covered include: 

  • Getting Connected to Your Campus, School, and Community
  • Learning from Everyone
  • Doing the Hard Work While You Can
  • Focusing on All Areas of the Job
  • Finding a Sustainable Balance

Teacher Talk is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and can be found here on our website: https://bit.ly/3ATd8C2

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-18385426 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2492 1 13 full false Episode Twelve: Advocating for Yourself and Your Program Episode Twelve: Advocating for Yourself and Your Program When teachers have trouble, ATAT Executive Director Ray Pieniazek is the one who answers the call! In Episode 12, Ray and Michelle lead us through some practical strategies on how to advocate for yourself and your program, even under tense circumstances.

Topics discussed include: 

  • Practical Strategies for Effective Self-Advocacy
  • Common Scenarios and How to Handle Them
  • Common Fears and Concerns
]]> When teachers have trouble, ATAT Executive Director Ray Pieniazek is the one who answers the call! In Episode 12, Ray and Michelle lead us through some practical strategies on how to advocate for yourself and your program, even under tense circumstances.

Topics discussed include: 

  • Practical Strategies for Effective Self-Advocacy
  • Common Scenarios and How to Handle Them
  • Common Fears and Concerns
]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-18227147 Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500 1961 1 12 full false Episode Eleven: Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges: Strategies for Successful Conflict Resolution Episode Eleven: Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges: Strategies for Successful Conflict Resolution In Episode Eleven, Tammy Christian returns to wrap up our two part series on Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges. Dealing with parents can be one of the more tense or stressful parts of teaching ag- but it doesn't have to be!

Topics covered include: 

  • Common challenges with different types of parents
  • Handling Confrontation and Conflict
  • Knowing when to Involve Administrators, Counselors, and Teaching Partners
  • Establishing Trust 
  • Encouraging Parental Involvement
]]> In Episode Eleven, Tammy Christian returns to wrap up our two part series on Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges. Dealing with parents can be one of the more tense or stressful parts of teaching ag- but it doesn't have to be!

Topics covered include: 

  • Common challenges with different types of parents
  • Handling Confrontation and Conflict
  • Knowing when to Involve Administrators, Counselors, and Teaching Partners
  • Establishing Trust 
  • Encouraging Parental Involvement
]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-18106823 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400 1476 1 11 full true Episode Ten: Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges: Strategies for Successful Communication Episode Ten: Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges: Strategies for Successful Communication In Episode Ten, Ray and Michelle are joined by Tammy Christian, retired ag teacher, to begin a two part series on Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges. Dealing with parents can be one of the more tense or stressful parts of teaching ag- but it doesn't have to be!

Topics covered include: 

  • Common types of challenging parents to work with
  • How to prepare for difficult conversations
  • The importance of documentation
  • Effective communication strategies


]]> In Episode Ten, Ray and Michelle are joined by Tammy Christian, retired ag teacher, to begin a two part series on Navigating Parent-Teacher Challenges. Dealing with parents can be one of the more tense or stressful parts of teaching ag- but it doesn't have to be!

Topics covered include: 

  • Common types of challenging parents to work with
  • How to prepare for difficult conversations
  • The importance of documentation
  • Effective communication strategies


]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-17989709 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400 1233 1 10 full false Episode Nine: Contracts Episode Nine: Contracts In this episode, Ray and Michelle discuss the ins and outs of contracts. Contact questions have been some of the most frequently asked questions over the past month. They start by defining the purpose of your contract, how teacher contracts differ from other employment agreements, and key components to look for. 

Other questions discussed include:

  • What should you look for before signing your contract?
  • Legal protections and rights
  • How to resolve issues in your contract
]]> In this episode, Ray and Michelle discuss the ins and outs of contracts. Contact questions have been some of the most frequently asked questions over the past month. They start by defining the purpose of your contract, how teacher contracts differ from other employment agreements, and key components to look for. 

Other questions discussed include:

  • What should you look for before signing your contract?
  • Legal protections and rights
  • How to resolve issues in your contract
]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-17821893 Fri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400 1492 1 9 full false Episode Eight: Staying Healthy with Jessica Reeves Episode Eight: Staying Healthy with Jessica Reeves Episode Eight is the conclusion of our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the final installment in the series is "Staying Healthy."

Join us in discussing ways to take care of yourself by eating smarter during those long hours on the road and at contests or shows, fitting in physical activity when you can, and lunch ideas to pack for school or on the road. 

We want to hear from you- what are your favorite ways the stay healthy on the go? Share your meal prep ideas, favorite healthy swaps, and ways to stay active in the comments or by emailing michelle@texasagteachers.org!

]]> Episode Eight is the conclusion of our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the final installment in the series is "Staying Healthy."

Join us in discussing ways to take care of yourself by eating smarter during those long hours on the road and at contests or shows, fitting in physical activity when you can, and lunch ideas to pack for school or on the road. 

We want to hear from you- what are your favorite ways the stay healthy on the go? Share your meal prep ideas, favorite healthy swaps, and ways to stay active in the comments or by emailing michelle@texasagteachers.org!

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-16692982 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500 840 full false Episode Seven: Family Life with Jessica Reeves Episode Seven: Family Life with Jessica Reeves In Episode Seven, we continue our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the third of four installments in the series is "Family Life."

Join us in discussing how to balance a district's expectations with your own priorities, tips for new parents, handling parental guilt, and more. 

]]> In Episode Seven, we continue our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the third of four installments in the series is "Family Life."

Join us in discussing how to balance a district's expectations with your own priorities, tips for new parents, handling parental guilt, and more. 

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-16527480 Thu, 30 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500 2066 1 7 full false Episode Six: Boundaries with Jessica Reeves Episode Six: Boundaries with Jessica Reeves In Episode Six, we continue our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the second installment in the series is "Boundaries."

Join us in discussing why it is important to set boundaries, how to set boundaries if you're a new teacher or new to saying no, delegating, and keeping your personal identity.  

Teacher Burnout Journal: https://bit.ly/4j2pWI1

]]> In Episode Six, we continue our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the second installment in the series is "Boundaries."

Join us in discussing why it is important to set boundaries, how to set boundaries if you're a new teacher or new to saying no, delegating, and keeping your personal identity.  

Teacher Burnout Journal: https://bit.ly/4j2pWI1

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-16336267 Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500 1373 1 6 full false Episode Five: Balance with Jessica Reeves Episode Five: Balance with Jessica Reeves In Episode Five, we kick off our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the first installment in the series is "Balance." How can you live the ag teacher life while still having a life?

Join us in discussing balancing it all, with practical tips on maintaining a healthy home life throughout your career, schedule management, splitting household duties, and more. 

]]> In Episode Five, we kick off our four part series "How To Do It All and Still Love It" with Jessica Reeves, agriculture teacher at Ingram. 

Inspired by questions received at the end of the Women in Ag Roundtable at the 2024 ATAT Professional Development Conference, the first installment in the series is "Balance." How can you live the ag teacher life while still having a life?

Join us in discussing balancing it all, with practical tips on maintaining a healthy home life throughout your career, schedule management, splitting household duties, and more. 

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-16173097 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500 1476 1 5 full false Episode Four: Inside the State Board of Education with Tom Maynard Episode Four: Inside the State Board of Education with Tom Maynard On Episode 4, Mr. Tom Maynard shares insights on what the State Board of Education is, what they can and can not do, how to build relationships with your SBOE member, and shares insights (and maybe even a secret!) along the way.

Mr. Maynard is a past agriculture science teacher, SBOE member, and many of you will remember him from his tenure as the Executive Director of Texas FFA.

Links mentioned: 

  • https://sboe.texas.gov/
]]> On Episode 4, Mr. Tom Maynard shares insights on what the State Board of Education is, what they can and can not do, how to build relationships with your SBOE member, and shares insights (and maybe even a secret!) along the way.

Mr. Maynard is a past agriculture science teacher, SBOE member, and many of you will remember him from his tenure as the Executive Director of Texas FFA.

Links mentioned: 

  • https://sboe.texas.gov/
]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-16055002 Fri, 08 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500 1433 1 4 full false Episode Three: How to Get Buy-In on Teams Episode Three: How to Get Buy-In on Teams In Episode Three, we welcome Nathan Jordan, agriculture teacher at Winnsboro, to discuss how to get teams to buy in, and how student commitment can give you a competitive edge. 


Contest Contract can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ATd8C2

]]> In Episode Three, we welcome Nathan Jordan, agriculture teacher at Winnsboro, to discuss how to get teams to buy in, and how student commitment can give you a competitive edge. 


Contest Contract can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ATd8C2

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-15986215 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0400 1189 1 3 full false Episode Two: Advice to Your Past Self with David Laird Episode Two: Advice to Your Past Self with David Laird Earlier this month, ATAT asked our members "What piece of advice do you wish you could give yourself as a first year ag teacher?" We received great tips that could benefit teachers of all experience levels!

David Laird, former ag teacher and current CTE Director of Waller ISD, joins this episode to share 10 items that all ag teachers should keep in mind this school year. 

]]> Earlier this month, ATAT asked our members "What piece of advice do you wish you could give yourself as a first year ag teacher?" We received great tips that could benefit teachers of all experience levels!

David Laird, former ag teacher and current CTE Director of Waller ISD, joins this episode to share 10 items that all ag teachers should keep in mind this school year. 

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-15827756 Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0400 1727 1 2 full false Episode One: GRIT with Jim Harris Episode One: GRIT with Jim Harris Join the ATAT Staff and Mr. Jim Harris for Episode One of Ag Teacher Talk!

Michelle Vasbinder, Ray Pieniazek, and Tori Rosser will introduce the podcast and give a brief overview of what ATAT is and upcoming events. 

Jim Harris gives listeners a lesson in GRIT and how it can benefit your career- and life!

You can find a copy of "Authentic Gravitas," recommended by Mr. Harris, here: https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Gravitas-Who-Stands-Out/dp/0143132083

]]> Join the ATAT Staff and Mr. Jim Harris for Episode One of Ag Teacher Talk!

Michelle Vasbinder, Ray Pieniazek, and Tori Rosser will introduce the podcast and give a brief overview of what ATAT is and upcoming events. 

Jim Harris gives listeners a lesson in GRIT and how it can benefit your career- and life!

You can find a copy of "Authentic Gravitas," recommended by Mr. Harris, here: https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Gravitas-Who-Stands-Out/dp/0143132083

]]> ATAT Buzzsprout-15659291 Thu, 29 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0400 1526 1 1 full false