Immediate Vacancy- Decatur Eisenhower Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor

The Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy (www.itstartswithag.com) seeks an Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor to join the current Andreas Ag Academy staff comprised of Becca Merrill, Delia Jackson, Scott Davidson, and Clayton Thomas. The successful applicant will take up teaching duties at Eisenhower High School as soon as possible. This new position will join an agriculture teaching team managing three sites – one teacher at each high school, and three at the new FFA Agriculture Education Center; this team works cooperatively to advise two Andreas Academy FFA Chapters. Students from Eisenhower and MacArthur High Schools jointly operate horticulture and livestock activities. 

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Andreas Academy will transition most instruction to the $11 million FFA Agriculture Education Center. The facility is under construction and slated for completion in 2023. This facility and adjoining production acreage will house Andreas Academy courses and serve as a host site for regional and state chapters to meet for special events. Responsibilities for this posted include teaching Introduction to Agriculture and Ag Biology. These are our most pivotal courses for new Academy students before transitioning to the new center. The Academy is now offering 17 separate courses for older students, with several thematic pathways available in Power and Structural Systems, Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources, Agribusiness and Leadership, and Food Science. 

Created through partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation – www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org – the Andreas Academy has grown to 465 students in its fifth year of operation. Its objective is to engage non-traditional students in exploring careers in Agriculture. 100% of the students are FFA members, with a focus on encouraging creative SAE immersions. More than 80 area businesses, such as Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), media outlets, family farms and community partners operate as an advisory panel in support of the program. The Academy continues to strengthen ties with the four major universities in Illinois that provide agriculture education to create strategic connections with other collegiate agricultural programs.

An important component of Andreas Academy activities is managing a 15-acre Living Science Farm (www.facebook.com/LivingScienceFarm) to host instructional enrichment activities for animal science, agriculture test and production plots, student-run entrepreneurship, and related hands-on learning experiences.

The successful applicant may have a special interest in one or more focus areas but must demonstrate proficiency in facilitating classwork for each pathway. Instructors utilize both CASE curriculum and other online-focused resources to deliver content. The Academy covers costs for CASE training and other relevant professional development opportunities. This position offers a competitive salary/benefits package, including significant additional compensation through the Three Circle Grant.  To apply for the position click here.

Please direct email or phone inquiries to:

Zach Shields
Executive Director – Decatur Public Schools Foundation

zshields@dps61.org

(217) 362-3042 (office)

(217) 853-4722 (cell)