Natosha Brinkley is planting the seed for her students’ successful futures. The language and literature teacher at Northview School in Statesville is one of this year’s Kenan Fellows, supported by the Iredell County Farm Bureau to help bring a better understanding of agriculture to her students.
Brinkley’s program, called A Growing Field, aims to give students a closer look at the local agriculture industry in Iredell County, plus the state’s industry, and how it has adapted over the years and continues to transition. She’ll partner with Iredell County farmers Andy Gray, and Tracy and Sheila Jenkins.
The year-long Kenan Fellows program partners K-12 teachers with university researchers and industry expert mentors. Each teacher participates in a five-week summer experience with a mentor. Using what they learn, Kenan Fellows work to create lesson plans for students and workshops for their fellow teachers.
Brinkley hopes that through working with the Farm Bureau and learning more about the importance of agriculture, she can teach her students more about collaboration, communication and critical-thinking skills – keys to success in the 21st-century workplace.
Learn more about the Kenan Fellows Program and Brinkley’s goals at kenanfellows.org/fellows/2014-15.
– Rachel Bertone
