OPI's Eric Tilleman named President-elect of the National Association of Agricultural Educators
Article by: MTN News - KRTV
It has been a few years since Eric Tilleman was at the head of an ag education classroom. He was a fixture in the halls at Cascade High School as the Ag Education teacher for 16 years.
But his passion for the profession never faded, even as he took a job as the Agricultural Education Specialist with the State of Montana.
Recently, he was named President-elect of the National Association of Agricultural Educators, which gives opportunities to over 9,000 teachers across the country. A big part of the organization’s mission is to attract and keep new ag teachers.
“We’re trying to get teachers into the classroom, trying to retain them, because we have a lot of teachers, they quit after three years,” said Tilleman. “So we had to figure out how to solve that issue..."
NAAE also recognized and awarded:
Trevor Motley - NAAE Ideas Unlimited Award
Joanna Williams - NAAE Outstanding Service Citation Recipient
 
Nicole Wanago named Graduate Fellow by American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
Nicole Wanago, a teacher educator in Family and Consumer Sciences, was named a Jewell L. Taylor Fellowship, Montana Affiliate - Graduate Fellow by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Congratulations Nicole!
The Montana Association for Career and Technical Education (Montana ACTE) was also honored as a Quality Program.
From Nicole - "The values, teachings, and practices of the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) profession have informed my past, present, and future. My professional career began with leading the Take Charge Today (TCT) program focused on fostering youth financial capability and well-being by providing ready-to-teach, activity-based lesson plans and ongoing professional development for educators. Currently, I am the FCS Teacher Educator at Montana State University, committed to providing leadership to recruit and retain FCS educators and build interdisciplinary partnerships. I coordinated efforts to expand FCS education by creating a content-rich graduate program for added endorsement to address the national FCS teacher shortage. In addition, I provide career mentorship and coordinate internship placements among three undergraduate people-centered degree programs that result in 12,000+ annual hours of student experiential learning."
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Reminder:
CTE Fall Data Collection Due December 31, 2022
The purpose of this data collection is to fulfill part of a district’s Carl D. Perkins grant and federal reporting requirements.
Linked below is the AIM User Guide that explains how to enter the post-graduation status and date contacted for the previous year's CTE concentrators who were identified as CTE in the Spring of the previous year.
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Montana FCCLA Updates:
Montana State Officers Attend
National FCCLA Training in Ohio
Two of Montana FCCLA’s State Executive Council, Allana Holderman, Reed Point FCCLA, and Ellie Fulbright, Fergus FCCLA, made the trek to Columbus, Ohio for FCCLA’s Fall Leadership Conference, November 11-13. They completed leadership training, networked with other members from across the nation, and brought back lots of ideas for the State Leadership Conference on March 16-17 in Bozeman at Montana State University.
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Montana FCCLA District Meetings Completed
Our FCCLA districts have wrapped up their annual fall meetings. District 6/7 was organized by James Logan and included presenters, a community service project, and workshops for the members from Deer Lodge, Arlee, Stevensville, and Hot Springs. Maddie Schrecengost is the newly elected District 6/7 President.
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FCCLA Chapters Contribute Through Service Projects
Numerous FCCLA chapters throughout the state are giving back to their local communities through their service projects. Just a few examples of projects include:
- Plentywood FCCLA members donated $3,700 to the Angel Tree for cancer treatment travel expenses for Sheridan County residents.
- Belgrade ProStart is cooking a hot Thanksgiving dinner for the community, sponsored through partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
- Moore FCCLA sponsored a Cat vs. Griz Food Drive, collecting non-perishable/non-expired food or hygiene items.
- Huntley Project FCCLA partnered with other organizations to sponsor the Breakfast Flakes after a chilly morning of filling boxes for Flakesgiving.
- Reed Point FCCLA held a Halloween night at the Trunk or Treat.
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Fairview Police Department and Fairview Schools Dist. 13&3 FCCLA passed out necklaces to all of their peers to kickoff Red Ribbon Week! Fairview FCCLA chose the theme for today: “drugs are despicable.”
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Montana FFA Updates:
Montana FFA Members recently returned from participation at the National FFA Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis, IN. Approximately 600 Montana students attended the convention where they engaged in competitions, leadership workshops, tours and educational seminars. This annual event attracted nearly 61,000 members from across the nation.
In the national Food Science and Technology Competition, the number one team in the nation comes from the Missoula FFA Chapter. Missoula bested thirty-seven other state winning chapters to earn the title. Team members were Claire Standley, Joel Standley, Quinlan Turner and Shaun Billingsley. This is the first national team winner from Montana since 2010. Other Montana teams placing in the top ten were the Kalispell FFA Chapter’s Farm Business Management who placed fifth, Gardiner FFA placed seventh in Agricultural Sales, Corvallis placed ninth in the National Environmental and Natural Resources contest and the Big Timber Meats Evaluation team also placed ninth.
Individual members that rose to the top in their respective competitions were led by Kalispell’s Ethan Bay who placed second in the National Farm Business Management competition, Missoula’s Claire Standley who placed third in the National Food Science competition and Gardiner’s Summit Browning who placed third in the National Agriculture Sales event. Perhaps the individual highlight of the convention was when Carson Crary from the Choteau FFA Chapter was named as the national winner in the Outdoor Recreation Proficiency Award area. Proficiency awards recognize students who excel in their work-based learning experiences. Additionally, Kara Conley and Faith Berow from Missoula placed fifth in the Animal Systems section of the National Agriscience program.
Four individuals received the Honorary American FFA Degrees for their support of Montana FFA. They are:
- Tom Peterson from Shields Valley who serves on the National FFA Agronomy CDE Committee
- Jay Meyer from Stevensville who is on the Montana Foundation's Board of Directors
- Jack Larson from Miles City who is on the Montana Foundation's Board of Directors and was a past Ag teacher
- Justin Heupel from Kalispell who is one of the Agriculture Education Instructors there.
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Montana Agriculture Education was awarded a 100% membership award and the Montana FFA Association received an award for membership growth.
Pictured left to right: Shaun Billingsley, Joel Standley, Claire Standley and Quinlan Turner of Missoula.
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Montana National Guard STEM Program
Visits Ronan High School
The Montana National Guard came to Ronan High School on a STEM visit. SGT Weber and SGT Vasquez did an amazing job engaging the students in robotics, 3D printing and augmented virtual reality. Students were able to test out the augmented VR anatomy by exploring the heart, lungs and brain.
Mr. Gray said, “What’s nice is that they are not recruiting. We have had them a few times and they do a great job with presenting STEM careers in an engaging presentation. They do talk about their jobs and the MT National Guard, but it’s part of their job. It’s just fun to watch the students try VR for the first time.”
SkillsUSA Montana Updates: Fun Firsts this Fall!
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SkillsUSA MT had their 2nd Annual Leadership Conference in October at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. It was full of great networking, leadership workshops and activities that have left the kids talking and excited for the upcoming SkillsUSA school year.
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SkillsUSA kicked off the conference with their first-ever live podcast that was hosted by Northern AG Network and Tom Schultz of the Voices of Montana. To listen to the awesome podcast the link is provided below!! The live radio show consisted of several experienced skills industry-related representatives who brought needed information to the state of Montana concerning the importance of SkillsUSA and the need to have CTSO’s incorporated in the classroom.
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It was a great experience for the advisors and students to see what really goes on behind the scenes of a radio show, plus they all learned new information about current events happening in MT right now.
Taylor Brown was the Highlight keynote speaker, and he finished the leadership conference off with words of wisdom and inspirational ideas for the SkillsUSA students to carry on to their chapters.
Thank you, Taylor!
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Darby Chapter hosted a SkillsUSA night at their school!!
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Results Announced for the Fall 2022
Edition of Big Sky Biz Sim
The Montana Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is excited to announce the results of the Fall 2022 semester edition of the Big Sky Biz Sim by First Interstate Bank.
The top three teams, and prize winnings, are from Sidney High School and are coached by Business teacher Russel Biniek.
- First Place: Three Queens Inc., winning $500
- Second Place: Back Row Widget Co., winning $250
- Third Place: Schmooze, winning $150
MCEE will also send a $50 Visa Gift Card to each of the Industry Winners listed below.
- Industry A: J.A.S.H. East Helena High School; teacher Angela Huschka
- Industry B: YNW, Glacier High; teacher Josh Munro
- Industry C: NN&B, Laurel High School; teacher Lisa Condon
- Industry D: Wreckers Inc., Laurel High School; teacher Lisa Condon
- Industry E: The Terrible Threes, Sidney High School; teacher Russel Biniek
- Industry F: a.k.g., Sidney High School; teacher Russel Biniek
- Industry G: G9; Heritage Christian School; teacher Bethany Alberda
- Industry H: Keepin’ It Reel Fishing, Three Forks Schools; teacher Jessica Oehmcke
- Industry I: Taylors T-Shirts, Helena Capital High School; teacher Terri Norman
- Industry J: Stork Industries, Corvallis High School; teacher Alyce Leonardi
- Industry K: Cheese Time, Skyview High School; teacher Molly Barta
Big Sky Biz Sim by First Interstate Bank is Montana’s premiere student business simulation. This is an in-class business simulation where students make all of the operating decisions for their business to produce, sell and distribute widgets. The decision inputs are then matched against other teams competing across Montana for the highest stock market price at the end of eight quarters, or weeks in the simulation.
Registration for the Spring 2023 semester will open after the first of the year. To learn more, visit the Big Sky Biz Sim by First Interstate Bank page of the MCEE website.
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Results for the Fall 2022 Stock Market Game
from MCEE and Glacier Bancorp
The Montana Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is pleased to congratulate the top finishing teams in the Fall 2022 Stock Market Game.
The top 10 teams and coaches/teachers in both the High School Division and Junior High Division are listed below. With the support of sponsors at Glacier Bank, the top five teams receive the noted cash prizes.
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Rank
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Earnings
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High School Division
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Teacher
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Prize
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1
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$127,813.65
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Hellgate High School
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Klimkiewicz, Steven
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$250
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2
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$122,099.49
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Laurel High School
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Condon, Lisa
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$200
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3
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$121,276.07
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Frenchtown High School
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Goris, Ryan
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$150
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4
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$118,702.63
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Laurel High School
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Kimmet, Matt
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$100
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5
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$117,789.08
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Sidney High School
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Biniek, Russell
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$50
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6
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$113,398.77
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Laurel High School
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Kimmet, Matt
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7
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$113,103.36
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Frenchtown High School
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Goris, Ryan
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8
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$112,139.93
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Laurel High School
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Leinwand, Jeannie
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|
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9
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$111,604.18
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Frenchtown High School
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Goris, Ryan
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10
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$111,367.87
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Manhattan High School
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Adams, Kay
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Rank
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Earnings
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Junior High Division
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Teacher
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Prize
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1
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$114,837.20
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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$250
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2
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$112,380.25
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Washington Middle School
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Stickel, Lisa
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$200
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3
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$110,239.63
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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$150
|
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4
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$109,147.49
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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$100
|
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5
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$108,032.62
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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$50
|
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6
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$105,124.78
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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|
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7
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$104,946.48
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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8
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$104,595.45
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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9
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$104,401.43
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Dillon Middle School
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Anderson, Jeremy
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10
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$104,269.77
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Washington Middle School
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Stickel, Lisa
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Each semester, over 1300 students and 450 teams compete in the Stock Market Game across more than 40 schools. Students are able to gain financial and investment education while competing for cash prizes. Glacier Bancorp and its family of Montana Banks sponsor all team fees.
The Stock Market Game is a nine-week simulation in which students are given a hypothetical $100,000 to invest in the stock market. Students must have at least five separate stocks and/or mutual funds at the end of the simulation, so research and diversification are crucial for success. Top state winners are given cash awards thanks to the generous sponsorship of Glacier Bancorp and its Montana family of banks.
The Spring 2023 registration of the Stock Market Game will open after the first of the year. To learn more, visit the Stock Market Game page of the MCEE website.
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The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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