Chelsea Hatch, an experienced agricultural science teacher with a strong history in FFA programs, has been named an assistant professor of practice within Texas Tech University's Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, according to officials within the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. She officially stepped into her new teaching post on April 15.

The Texas native indicated that she will broadly focus on teaching responsibilities, while supporting the department's outreach and engagement efforts. She will be focusing on undergraduate students who are perusing careers in the agricultural education field and working on their student teaching. Along with teaching responsibilities, she will also work to continue to build and strengthen the relationship between stakeholders and future teachers.

One of her primary goals at Tech is to train and graduate agricultural educators who are as prepared as possible for their lifelong career in education, along with supporting current teachers in the career field. 

Prior to taking joining the Texas Tech faculty, Hatch served as an assistant academic administrator with Stride K12-Texas Virtual Academy. The educational program, based within the Hallsville Independent School District, is an online public school for students in grades three through 12. Part of Hatch's duties centered on creating professional development opportunities in a virtual environment for 194 teachers to work on student engagement, along with building and managing a calendar of 20 events each month.

In addition, she worked as an agricultural science teacher and new teacher coordinator with the Plainview Independent School District, and as an agricultural science teacher with the Comal Independent School District - Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas. Her bachelor's degree in agricultural services and development, and her master's degree in education administration and technology are from Tarleton State University.

Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural Education & Communications has 14 faculty members with 285 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students. Faculty members specialize in one of three disciplinary areas: teacher education, agricultural communications, and agricultural leadership. Master's degrees are available in agricultural education and agricultural communications, and a departmental Ph.D. program allows students to focus on any of the three areas. In addition, graduate certificates are available in agricultural leadership and agricultural communication.

CONTACT: Scott Burris, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-8689 or scott.burris@ttu.edu

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