Vacancy- Decatur Andreas Ag Academy Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor

The Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy, located in Section 16, seeks an Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor* to join the current four-person faculty, which in 2025-2026 will serve approximately 300 students.

Teaching duties for this current job posting begin in August 2025. These five Academy positions will be complemented by an additional CTE / mechanics instructor working at both high schools, as well as a new middle school FFA chapter established this summer as a feeder program up into high school. This startup chapter for younger students will operate under the supervision of an experienced Andreas Ag Academy instructor and function parallel to the high school program.

The agriculture teaching team manages four current sites:

• Eisenhower High School
• MacArthur High School
• The FFA Agriculture Education Center
• The Academy Living Science Farm (visit virtually via www.facebook.com/LivingScienceFarm)

Our 15-acre Living Science Farm hosts instructional enrichment activities for animal science, agriculture test and production plots, student-run businesses, and related hands-on learning experiences. Students from Eisenhower and MacArthur High Schools jointly participate in horticulture and livestock projects. 

Freshmen take Introduction to Agriculture courses in the high schools; older students attend the Ag Education Center for half-days incorporating three class periods. The newly-constructed Ellsworth Dansby, Jr. Magnet School will house the middle school FFA programming. Ag Center students are enrolled in 14 separate courses for Fall 2025, with thematic pathways available in Power and Structural Systems, Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources, Agribusiness and Leadership, and Food Science.

Originally created through a four-year pilot partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (visit via www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org), the Andreas Academy is entering its eighth year. Its objective is engaging non-traditional students to explore careers in Agriculture, with a focus on encouraging creative Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) and entrepreneurship. Supplies and program expenses are funded through private contributions to the Decatur Public Schools Foundation.

The successful applicant may have a special interest in one or more focus areas, but will ideally demonstrate proficiency in several pathways. Instructors utilize both CASE curriculum and other online-focused resources to deliver content, with 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, should the applicant wish to teach AND serve as an FFA Advisor* (which is optional).  To apply click here.

Please direct email or phone inquiries to:

Zach Shields
Executive Director – Decatur Public Schools Foundation
zshields@dps61.org
(217) 853-4722 (mobile)
www.dps61.org/foundation