The Illinois agriculture teacher supply and demand summary shows some significant positive trends. Click to view.
Beginning the 2022-23 school year in August, programs and teachers have increased.
-375 total agriculture education programs - Net increase of (16) over a year ago
-519 total agriculture teachers - Net increase of (40) over a year ago
Summary Highlights
-139 ag teacher vacancies which is an all time high.
-132 ag teacher vacancies were filled
-10 ag teachers retired
-36 ag teachers left the ag teaching profession due to an industry/education job or personal reason
-16 schools added a program
-3 ag programs postponed their program for a year
-33 additional ag teachers were hired to existing programs
-36 ELS-Educator License with Stipulations (formerly provisional) teachers were hired
-30 projected agricultural education graduates for May 2023
-Average ag teacher salary - $$60,873
-Average first year ag teacher salary - $49,068
-Average teacher contract length - 11 months
More information, view:
-Illinois TeachAg.net
-National Teach Ag Information
-Add an agriculture teaching endorsement
-Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) teaching license
-Apply for a teaching license
-Current ag teaching vacancies and candidates
Why Teach Agriculture?
Ag teachers never have the same day twice. One day they might be in a classroom or laboratory, the next visiting students in the field, preparing teams for a FFA Career Development Event, or leading a community service activity with their FFA Chapter. Demand for agriculture teachers is much higher than the current and projected supply.
- Teach by doing, not just telling
- Share their passion for agriculture
- Create lessons that are hands-on
- Reach students, including those who might not be successful in a traditional classroom
- Teach these topics: biotechnology, cloning, satellite mapping, biofuels, alternative energy and more.
- Travel in state, nationally, and even internationally.
- Work with new and emerging technology from agribusiness companies.
- Attend state and national FFA Conventions for life
Agricultural educators are often on extended contracts, which means they get paid during the summer months and have the potential to earn a significantly higher salary than other teachers.
Consider an agricultural education teaching career or career change. The future is bright and promising.
(sent to all contacts including administrators and counselors)
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Dean Dittmar
Facilitating Coordination in Ag Education (FCAE)
Phone: 217-893-0091 Cell: 618-604-1622
Email: ddittmar@ILAgEd.org
Address: 3358 Big Pine Trail , Champaign, IL 61822