Teacher’s Love of Wildlife Inspired Her Path to Agriculture

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

Madison Landreth has always had a great love for animals and the outdoors. She grew up around horses and other livestock animals, but she says her love really started with wildlife. That passion guided her on a path to becoming an agriculture teacher, and her enthusiasm for helping students brought her to TTU K-12.

“I have been involved in agriculture my entire life. Although, for most of it, I was involved in untraditional ways,” she explained. “I have always enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being outside. As I got into high school, I enrolled in Agricultural Education courses and joined the National FFA organization, and I developed a deep passion for all that the courses and the FFA organization had to offer me.”

After high school, Landreth felt led to continue devoting her talents to agricultural education. She is starting her sixth year in agricultural education, still loves the FFA, agricultural education courses, and the students she teaches.

Landreth says she wanted to be part of the TTU K-12 team because she desired to provide agricultural education opportunities to students outside of traditional brick-and-mortar schools. For TTU K-12 she teaches Energy and Natural Resources Technology, Forestry and Woodland Ecosystems, Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, and Veterinary Medical Applications.

“I love that I get to teach agriculture to students online, and I believe that it is a truly unique experience that we offer to TTU K-12 students. The most satisfying aspect of the work I do is providing students with the opportunity to learn about agriculture when they may not have the opportunity to do so otherwise.”

Landreth’s courses provide students with hands-on experiences, which, she says, is very unique for online courses. They perform science experiments, grow plants and even play in the dirt.

“I love when I get messages from my Veterinary Medical Application students saying that because of the content they have learned in our course, they were able to diagnose and treat their own personal animals,” she said. “Agricultural curriculum teaches students priceless and relevant information, and I am so glad I get to provide it to our students! Many of them provide me with feedback saying that they enjoy the coursework.”

Landreth describes her duties as the ag ed teacher at TTU K-12 as providing feedback and communication, and high-quality instruction.

“I strive to provide effective, punctual and positive feedback in my courses when responding to messages, emails, and grading assignments. Since our platform is online, I find that high-quality communication is vital to student success. Whether it’s providing positive and constructive feedback on an assignment, responding to a student message, or meeting with students during virtual office hours, my main goal is to build relationships and positive rapport through quality communication and feedback.”  

As TTU K-12 grows, her hope for the future of the school is that it continues to create an environment that serves all students well.

“The best part of TTU K-12 is that students have the opportunity to complete school around their needs and schedule. I hope that we can be a home for students that need an online educational system and that they all succeed under our leadership.”

Landreth’s best advice to students is to create a well-rounded classroom experience.

“Take advantage of all that your coursework, school, and curriculum have to offer,” she advised. “Your teachers and school system want to do all they can to help you succeed both while in school and after graduation.”