Agricultural Educator In May of 2010 a group of students dressed in blue corduroy jackets came to Athens Christian School to visit during a chapel service. Georgia FFA state officers Cain and Filipe spoke about the endless possibilities one can enjoy in an organization called FFA. These state officials spoke with confidence and enthusiasm that agriculture plays a vital role in students' lives. One of the main concepts they talked about was the fact that in order to be a part of the FFA you must be enrolled in an agricultural education course. The following year Athens Christian School started a new agricultural education program with Mrs. Sara Hughes teaching the middle and high school classes. He is still a current asset in this program and his hard work is very evident. Ms. Hughes is quick to tell anyone that while a career in agricultural education is challenging, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Just like any type of teacher, they need to get a certification to start teaching. According to an interview with Athens Christian School agricultural education teacher, Sara Hughes, she stated that an agricultural educator must have: “At least a bachelor's degree normally in Ag Ed and pass the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE) in the field of Ag Ed” (Hughes 1). GACE is a testing method in Georgia that has been used for several years. According to gace.ets.org, “The purpose of GACE assessments is to ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired by potential educators of Georgia are aligned with state and national standards for educator preparation and state standards for curriculum for P-12 students - the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS)" (GACE ...... middle of document ...... a valuable employee once it 's time to enter the workforce.These skills include agricultural mechanics, plant science, animal management and nutrition, forestry and natural resources have fueled my passion for the agricultural sector and have inspired me to follow in my father's footsteps and one day also teach agriculture, whether in the classroom or on the mission field in another country, I am well prepared and equipped thanks to the knowledge acquired during the courses of agriculture, without which I would not be the person I am today” (Thomason 1). in the life of a student, due to an agricultural educator doing his job. Although a career in agricultural education is challenging, the benefits clearly outweigh the disadvantages.