our youth: AG STARS
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders
Aledo Teacher Growing Ag Program One Animal at a Time
By MELISSA MOORMAN
T
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iffany Holland is new to Aledo ISD’s agriculture
program, but she’s not new to being around and rais-
ing animals or living on a working ranch. She grew up in
Cross Plains on a 300-acre spread that her grandparents
purchased a half century ago. “Agriculture has always
been a part of my life,” said Holland. She really became
an Ag teacher herself because of her Ag teachers in high
school who were such strong role models for her.
Her pathway to teaching began at Tarleton University
where she majored in Ag education and graduated in
only three years. She signed her first teaching contract
at the age of 20 in Iowa Park, a small town near Wichita
Falls. She’s been teaching for six years, and this is her first
year at Aledo High School where she is teaching floral
design and a wildlife class. The floral design class can
earn her students a fine art credit. Holland said, “It’s been
fun doing something a little different.”
The four-member agriculture teaching staff at AHS
teaches 400 kids in the various classes that they offer.
Some of the classes include the aforementioned floral
design and wildlife classes as well as shop classes, where
students can build their own trailers and make fire pots.
The classes also include studies in horticulture, animal
science, livestock production, veterinary medicine, and a
principles of agriculture class.
This class is offered both to high school students and
eighth-graders at Aledo Middle School. Holland suggests
that new students take the principles class first because,
she said, “The kids get a little bit to see what path they
can take.”
Holland said there is truly something for any student
either in an Ag class or through FFA. “I always tell
anybody that FFA has something for every single student
that walks through the door or in any Ag class. We really
build leaders. They are taught how to communicate and
work with others. They travel all over. They are growing
as leaders, individuals and people,” she said. She enjoys
telling parents that Ag students learn so much more by
being involved than what they would learn in the class-
room in a regular 50-minute period. She points to the fact
that there are thousands of dollars of scholarships avail-
able. And with the cost of college these days, she said,
“That’s always a plus as well.”
Currently, Aledo students are doing what many Ag
students in our area are doing and that’s getting ready for
stock show season to earn some of that available scholar-
ship money. This year, Holland is in charge of the pigs.
“I will end up going to some of the major shows,”
she said. She thinks they have a good chance because
of the quality of porcine animals that are currently in the
barn. However, “For the county show we have a little bit
of time before they have to start buying those. It’s a very
supported county show,” she continued.
The FFA group at AISD was founded in 1950 and is
living the FFA’s motto of service above self by planning a
community service project each month during the school
year. The October project focused on collecting house-
hold items and gift cards to benefit the Pythian Home,
a place for children in need in Parker County. Plans for
the spring include a day to help with projects around the
home, like painting or repairs for those in the community
unable to complete them. “We are focusing on growing
the Ag program and getting kids involved. We want to get
out into the community more and do more because of
how much the community supports us. Be a bigger part
of the community and put Aledo FFA out there,” she said.
Holland said that teaching in Aledo is very different
from her last school district. “The kids that I have in class
are driven. The officers are really driven. It’s a different
kind of kid than I’ve ever taught before. When people
say Aledo is a special place, it really is. These kids are
pushed daily and here greatness is expected. I haven’t
experienced that in a district before and it’s pushing me
to do more. I feel like I’ve become a better teacher. They
are always asking questions and sometimes it surprises
you. It keeps you on your game. They are ready to be
challenged,” Holland said.
The agriculture program is growing, and part of the
reason is caring AISD teachers like Tiffany Holland.
“When you graduate from college they tell you that
you will put your heart and soul into it and then you will
give a little more. And that’s what it is. Most nights I don’t
get home until 8 or 9 p.m. and that’s the norm. We work
hard and we put in a lot of hours. We love what we do
and we want the kids to succeed. I honestly wouldn’t
have it any other way,” Holland concluded.