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Doug Raymakers, a Bonduel High School agriculture education teacher, has been selected as the Outstanding Agricultural Educator in Wisconsin for 2007 by the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE).
Other state teachers honored by the WAAE include teacher Jenifer Bos of Shell Lake High School, Outstanding Program in Wisconsin for 2007; and Arlaina Meyer of Cumberland High School, Outstanding Young Member in Wisconsin for 2007.
The Outstanding Agricultural Educator award recognizes members that are at the pinnacle of their profession – those who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. The award is based on participation in WAAE and other professional associations, leadership in civic and community activities, classroom instruction, FFA involvement, and community service.
Doug Raymakers began his teaching career at Bonduel High School nine years ago. There are approximately 120 student enrolled in agriculture education classes at the school. Courses include landscaping, vet science, aquaculture, natural resources, marketing, leadership, and exploratory agriculture for all 6 th and 8 th grade students. The program consists of a classroom, greenhouse, workroom, computer lab, 750 gallon fish tank and 20 acre school forest. Raymakers also served at vice president of the WAAE from 2004 to 2006.
The Bonduel FFA Chapter has had two state officers, four national proficiency awards, 10 American Degrees, several speaking contest participants, state band and chorus members under the leadership of Raymakers. Students annually attend the state and national FFA conventions.
Jenifer Bos has led the Shell Lake Agricultural Education Program to be selected as the Outstanding Program in Wisconsin for 2007.
The outstanding agricultural education program award recognizes agricultural education programs and their instructors who have excelled in membership and participation in WAAE and other professional associations, classroom instruction, FFA involvement, and community service.
The Shell Lake agricultural education department has been under the direction of Bos since 1998. There is an extensive forestry lab, greenhouse and classroom. The program offers courses in small animals, landscaping, wildlife, leadership, mechanics, and agriculture exploration. Bos and her students have coordinated a lake run, ice fishing contest and provide the concessions at a variety of athletic events.
The Shell Lake FFA Chapter is comprised of about 50 members and is active in local, regional, state, and national activities. In the time Bos has been at Shell Lake, there have been nine American Degrees, 12 State Degrees, 52 proficiency award recipients, judging teams, speaking contest participants and attendance at state and national conventions.
Arlaina Meyer has Outstanding Young Member in Wisconsin for 2007.
The outstanding young member award recognizes new instructors in their first five years of teaching. The award is based on participation in WAAE and other professional associations, classroom instruction, FFA involvement, and community service.
Meyer began her teaching career at Cumberland in 2002 and has been there ever since. She has participated in a variety of local, state and regional activities. Meyer has co-created 38 environmental education stations at the 80-acre school forest. She has provided instruction in parliamentary procedure to various community groups and is dedicated to education in her school. Meyer has also served as a member of the Wisconsin FFA Center Board for three years and is vice president of WAAE.
The Cumberland FFA Chapter has more than 100 members and has had a Wisconsin Star Farmer, state winning middle school opening and closing ceremonies team, and a National FFA Band participant. Students have participated in speaking contests and annually attend the state and national FFA conventions.
The award recipients will next be considered at the national level by the National Association of Agricultural Educators, with those honors being announced in December.
WAAE is comprised of 328 middle school, high school, technical college and university educators. The focus of the association is to provide professional development, legislative support, and educational resources for teacher to enhance their local agriculture education programs.
Posted July 25, 2007