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Butler County Schools Superintendent Joseph Eiland announced April 23 that McKenzie School agriscience teacher, Ryan McNaughton, was chosen by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) to participate in the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy (NATAA).

“He is just amazing in the classroom and he is amazing as a mentor,” Eiland said in a media release. “He is well deserving of this honor he’s receiving.”

The NAAE is a professional organization for agricultural educators at all levels of instruction and leadership. Its membership includes classroom teachers from elementary to postsecondary levels, teacher educators, and state supervisors of agricultural education. The organization focuses on program development, teacher recruitment and retention, and member service and recognition.

The NATAA, with over 19 years of experience, aims to enhance agriscience and inquiry-based learning in agricultural education. It trains agriculture teachers to improve the science present in agriculture and develop students as problem solvers and critical thinkers through inquiry-based teaching methods. Participating in the academy involves a commitment to promote agriscience and inquiry-based learning to teachers nationwide.

Corteva Agriscience partners with the NAAE for the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Program, investing approximately $10,000 in each Ambassador for travel, lodging, meals, and professional development.

McNaughton, concluding his fifth year at McKenzie School, expressed his excitement about the opportunity. 

“It’s really an opportunity for me to grow in my skill set and continue to improve as an educator,” McNaughton said. “It will hopefully help me to push students to the next level.”