LeRoy educator named Illinois Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year

Gary Tipsord (from left), Superintendent of LeRoy Schools; Bridget Caldwell, McLean County Ag in the Classroom Coordinator; Katie Buckley, LeRoy STEM Educator; Jeff Baughman, LeRoy Jr/Sr High Principal. (Photo courtesy McLean County Farm Bureau)

 

By Neil Doyle

LEROY – A local teacher has earned statewide recognition for cultivating learning about agriculture.

Katie Buckley, a secondary special education teacher and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math educator at LeRoy School District #2, has been named the 2020 Illinois Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.

“I am so honored to be recognized for this award,” said Buckley in a news release. “My goal for my students is to give them an insight into agriculture that goes beyond farming.”

Buckley’s students have twice won the Purple Plow Challenge, a nationwide ag-related STEM competition. As a result, the classroom gained two 3D printers and $200 in giftcards.

Using a variety of grant funds, Buckley has also purchased drones, robotic components, tablets and more to enable students to explore the uses of technology in agriculture.

Buckley will be recognized at the 2019 Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Chicago and will receive a trip to the 2020 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. She will also be the Illinois nominee for the USDA National Excellence in Teaching Agriculture Award.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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