Tinora is excited to welcome Mrs. Katie Black as our new Vocational Agriculture teacher. With a lifelong passion for agriculture, years of educational experience, and a heart for developing student leaders, Black is eager to continue Tinora's proud agricultural tradition.
A 2007 graduate of Archbold High School, Black earned her bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education from The Ohio State University in 2011, then completed her master's degree at Bowling Green State University in 2014. While her education prepared her for the classroom, she says her passion for agriculture began long before college.
"Agriculture has always been a part of my life," Black said. "To me, agriculture means family, traditions, raising your kids with their hands, and learning by doing. It's about surrounding yourself with all of the things we've been blessed with and having the opportunity to grow up that way."
Black knew she wanted to become an agriculture teacher as early as eighth grade. After completing a job shadowing project for an English class, she found her calling.
"Watching that agriculture teacher work alongside students motivated me to continue pursuing that passion and eventually major in Agricultural Education," she said.
Now, she's excited to bring that same inspiration to Tinora students.
Black believes agricultural education provides students with opportunities they may not experience in a traditional classroom. Whether students are learning in the greenhouse, developing technical skills in the shop, or participating in hands-on projects, she says agriculture builds confidence, responsibility, and real-world problem-solving skills.
One message she hopes every student hears is that agriculture is for everyone.
"Students do not need a farming background to be successful," Black said. "I actually tell students and parents that I don't live on a farm, and I haven't for the past 14 years. I think that helps students feel more comfortable. Not everyone is going to show up knowing how to farm, and that's okay. We learn alongside each other and build the classroom around each student's interests."
As she begins her first year at Tinora, Black looks forward to embracing the traditions that have made Tinora FFA successful while also creating new memories with students. She plans to continue opportunities such as state and national FFA conventions, competitions, and the chapter's tradition of celebrating contests together.
"The students shared that one tradition they want to continue is going out to eat after contests," Black said. "I'm looking forward to getting to know them in that setting and making sure they understand that FFA is for everybody. We're going to have a great time, and we're going to grow great leaders."
Above all, Black says her greatest goal is helping students become successful long after they leave Tinora.
"I'm looking forward to growing alongside our students and helping them become productive citizens and the next generation of leaders in our community."
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Katie Black to the Tinora Ram Family. We are excited for the future of Tinora Agriculture and can't wait to see the impact she will make in our classrooms, our FFA, and throughout our community.