Anthony Catalan
Cal Poly – B.S. in Agricultural Science, June 2000
Concentration: Crop and Soil Science
Employer: Firebaugh Las Deltas Unified (www.fldusd.k12.ca.us)
Title: Agriculture Teacher
How long in current position: 7 years as of July 2007

Description of overall job duties and responsibilities:
Department Head, FFA Advisor, Ag Teacher: Run day to day operations of the department, oversee budgets, programs and student reports. FFA advisor responsibilities, judging teamcoach, and After School Coordinator.

What is a typical day like?
7:15-5:30, organize lesson plans for the day, very busy day in class, practice with judging teams after school, and care for the orchard and projects in spare time.

What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this position?
Outgoing, goal driven, organized, hard worker.

What specific skills are important to being successful in your job?
Organizational skills, problem solving skills, communication skills, and interpersonal relationship skills.

What part of this job do you find most satisfying?
Watching students grow and learn in the classroom.

What part of this job do you find most challenging?
Outside politics that you deal with in a school setting.

What type of training was offered for your position?
Mentor program, in-service dates, and job shadowing for the department head position.

What additional education/credentials did you obtain?
Single subject and Ag Specialist credential from Cal Poly.

What advice would you give to students thinking about majoring in Agricultural Science?
Get through all the hoops and stay focused on your goals. Pay attention in class and get a well rounded education; you never know what you may be assigned to teach at your first job.

What are possible career paths/promotional opportunities from your current position?
Jump into administration, vice principal and principal with the correct education, run after school programs and get involved in mentoring programs.



COURTESY OF AG SCIENCE DEPT CAL POLY POMONA
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