The Illinois agriculture teacher supply and demand summary has now been updated. Click to view.
2020-21 School Year
-354 total agriculture education programs - Net increase of (1) over a year ago
-450 total agriculture teachers - Net increase of (8) over a year ago
Summary Highlights
-66 ag teacher vacancies
-65 ag teacher vacancies were filled
-7 ag teachers retired in May, 2020
-26 ag teachers left the ag teaching profession due to an industry/education job or personal reason
-5 schools added an agriculture program
-4 ag programs closed or postponed their program for a year
-12 additional ag teachers were hired to existing programs
-14 ELS-Educator License with Stipulations (formerly provisional) teachers were hired
-38 projected agricultural education graduates for May 2021
-Average ag teacher salary - $54,780
-Average first year ag teacher salary - $47,204
-Average contract length - 11 months
More information, view:
-Ag teacher profile and description
-Illinois TeachAg.net
-Teaching License
-Add an agriculture teaching endorsement
-ELS teaching license
-All state Teach Ag
-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 about cutting edge 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.
Thank you to all of our agriculture teachers. We appreciate all that you do!
(sent to all contacts)
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Dean Dittmar, Coordinator
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