Loud Barks and Huge Hearts

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." ~Henry Brooks Adams


I've written before about how the agriculture community is a type of family. I can't think of any better example than ag teachers. My ag teacher was certainly like a second father to me and I loved him dearly. I miss him every day.

I also was fortunate to form great relationships ag teachers from other school as well. When you grow up in FFA, you get to know the ag teachers from all over the state, be it at fairs or judging contests or livestock sales.

It's funny--most of them pretty much the same. Great guys with loud barks (although some definitely have bites to go along!) and huge hearts. If you know ag teachers, you know what I mean. It's amazing to see these strong, tough men go from screaming at you for busting a class one day, to tearing up when you win an award the next.


Last week, Las Vegas FFA lost their ag teacher, Mr. Leger, in a car accident. But, in true FFA fashion, this loss was felt far beyond Las Vegas. Facebook statuses were posted by students and teachers from Texico and Los Lunas, Clayton and Deming, San Jon and many more places. Ag teachers, probably more than any other teachers, have an impact on kids, not only in their own schools, but all across New Mexico.

I could not be more grateful to the ag teachers who have impacted my life. Mr. Leger was one of those ag teachers, and I mourn along with his students, family, and the entire New Mexico FFA organization today.