Name: Anthony Drumonde 

School: Hilmar High School

Region: Central Region

Education and/or industry experience: Fresno State- Bachelor's Degree and Credential,                                                         Cal Poly, SLO- Master's Degree

Years teaching ag: 9 Years in Ag Ed: 6 years at Livingston High School, 2 years as Superior                                             Region Supervisor, and 1st year at Hilmar High School

Subjects you teach: Introduction to Agriculture, Ag Economics and Government, Environmental Horticulture, Agrisicience Management Systems, Ag Biology 

Hobbies and interests outside of teaching: Outside the classroom, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, exploring new foods, and staying active.

What do you love most about being an ag teacher? What I love most about being an ag teacher is the opportunity to make a real impact in students' lives by connecting them to agriculture, leadership, and hands-on learning. Watching students grow in confidence and find their passion through FFA, SAE projects, and the classroom is incredibly rewarding.

What is your biggest challenge as an ag teacher? One of the biggest challenges I face as an ag teacher is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With the long hours, travel, and year-round responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time to recharge while still giving my best to students and the program.

What have you learned thus far in your teaching career that you wish you would have known when you first began teaching?One thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay to not be great at every responsibility we have as ag teachers—growth comes with time and experience. Building strong relationships with students and being flexible often matter more than having the perfect lesson or the winning CDE team. I wish I had known how important it is to give yourself grace and focus on progress, not perfection.

What advice would you give a novice teacher entering this profession now? For a new teacher entering the profession, I’d say prioritize relationships and stay true to your "why." The content will come with time, but connecting with students and being passionate about what you do is what truly makes the difference. Don’t try to do everything at once—pace yourself and enjoy the journey.

What most prepared you for being an agriculture teacher? What most prepared me for being an agriculture teacher was growing up on my family’s farming operation, which gave me a strong foundation and work ethic rooted in agriculture. My involvement in 4-H and FFA helped develop my leadership skills and passion for ag education. Additionally, having strong student teaching experiences and mentors I could rely on gave me the confidence, guidance, and support I needed to thrive in this profession.

If you could relive one of your most memorable days as a teacher, which day would it be and why? If I could relive any day as an ag teacher, it would be from my very first year, teaching Introduction to Agriculture to 27 English Language Learners. I was honestly struggling, uncertain if I was truly reaching my students or making a difference. One day, after we finished transplanting plants in the greenhouse, a student came up to me and simply said, “Thank you.” When I asked why, they shared that working with the plants reminded them of their mom, who they hadn’t seen in eight years because she lives in Mexico. In that moment, everything clicked for me — despite my struggles with curriculum and responsibilities, I was giving students more than just skills; I was helping them reconnect with meaningful memories and emotions. That day showed me the true impact of ag teaching, and it’s a moment I would gladly live again.

Describe ag teaching in one to two words: Impactful and rewarding