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Agriculture
Teaching Today Minnesota | Spring 2026 Page 17

Pamela Koenen Wins NAEE Teacher Mentor Award

is presented to an NAAE member who Pam kindly shared some examples of read two proficiency applications for his
has excelled in preparing beginning agri- students who would be advancing to state
cultural educators into the profession by what she does as a Teacher-Mentor: judging.
offering advice and guiding them to their Interview day for state degrees and Prior to and during regional FFA
own professional strengths. proficiencies is an opportunity for student events, instructors have questions about
Over her 37-year career, Koenen has teachers to be on the other side of the how the day will operate, prepping teams
mentored eight student teachers, dozens interview table. for a CDE, or curriculum for a new class
of early-career educators, and count- To prepare student teachers for inter- they are proposing. When directed to me,
less others through Minnesota’s Teacher viewing, I review the application with I answer honestly and accurately. As com-
Induction Program and the U of M’s them explaining the required elements on petitive as we often are as FFA advisors,
mentorship initiative. She creates a safe, each page and with each type of applica- we also have a deep seeded desire to see
honest, and reflective space for mentees tion. If possible, the student teachers assist our fellow instructors succeed. I readily
to grow, modeling effective instruction, in an area where they have experience. share CDE study materials and curriculum
co-teaching strategies, and professional They are then paired with another team with anyone (in this state and other states)
balance. of teachers from the regions. This allows who asks. This sharing of resources goes
A lifelong advocate for agricultural them to gain insight and knowledge from both ways. If I see or hear of something
education, Koenen has played a key role other advisors. that another instructor is doing, I will ask
Pamela Koenen, in shaping state mentoring programs and To get them more actively involved in questions and for more information about
agricultural educator at leads by example through her involve- the process, I provide them with suggested the project or resource. Helping each other
Alden-Conger Public ment in professional organizations. questions to ask the interviewees. This to become more competent and knowl-
School District in Alden, Whether sharing curriculum resources, gets student teachers actively involved in edgeable instructors directly benefits our
Minnesota is one of coaching award applicants, or support- the interview process and to not just be students and enhances our profession.
six agricultural educa- ing early-career educators, she embodies observers. Congratulations Pam!
tors nationwide who received the 2025 mentorship as both a professional respon- Student teachers know that I am
National Association of Agricultural Edu- sibility and a personal calling. always available as a resource. This year,
cators’ Teacher Mentor Award. The award Source: Alden-Conger FFA I was contacted by two former student www.alden-conger.org
was presented during the 2025 NAAE www.facebook.com/p/Alden-Conger- teachers regarding state degrees and pro-
Convention, December 8-12, in Nashville. FFA-100064706195231 ficiencies. One has questions about how
The NAAE Teacher Mentor Award to complete a section of the state degree
application. The other asked if I would