Alums earn top high school agriculture teacher awards>>> Bill Newsom (’76) (pictured left, center) of Munford and Chuck Flowers (’78) (pictured right, center) of Jackson have at least three things in common. They both earned UT Martin degrees, both are outstanding high school agriculture teachers, and both earned outstanding teaching awards from the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
Newsom, who teaches at Munford High School, received the NAAE Outstanding Teaching Award in December 2010, and Flowers, who teaches at Liberty High School, received the organization’s Teacher Mentor Award in November 2011. Each was among only six educators selected for recognition nationwide for each award year.
The success of Newsom’s students is thanks in large part to the strong partnerships he’s been able to cultivate with individuals and businesses in the community. Alumni members, agents from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, USDA Farm Service Agency branches and UT Martin are all examples of those groups that have contributed to further learning for students.
“His sincere interest in agriculture and students is why he is loved by our colleagues across the state of Tennessee,” Ann Turner Johnson, fellow agriculture teacher at Munford High School, said. “Bill Newsom (who has taught for 35 years) is known from one end of our state to the other because of his proven success and dedication to agriculture education.”
The FFA chapter at Liberty has been ranked in the top-10 of FFA chapters in West Tennessee each year since it opened in 2003. The program was also selected in 2008-09 as Outstanding Agriculture Program for Tennessee.
Flowers is always willing to share any advice with community members, current students or fellow teachers. During his 32-year career he has mentored numerous student teachers, five of whom currently have their own agriculture programs in Tennessee.
“Chuck is an excellent role model and leader. He has changed the face of FFA in our county making it more productive,” says Teresa Crouse, co-teacher at Liberty High School. “Chuck is a very motivated, dedicated and confident man and advisor.”
The NAAE mission is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE office is located in Lexington, Ky. (Information and quotes courtesy of the NAAE.)
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