Teacher of the Year 2001

Sandra Renner

Sandra Renner utilizes the many resources available to her to supplement her curriculum.

Sandra Renner of Pollock, SD has been selected as South Dakota Ag In The Classroom’s "2001 Teacher of the Year". Renner was nominated for the award by Campbell County Extension Educator, James Kanable. Kanable noted, "Sandra conveys to her students the importance of agriculture in South Dakota as well as across the United States."
As a graduate of Ag In The Classroom’s Summer Ag Institute, Sandra is aware of the many resources that are available to her. Her overall goal is to use these resources to enhance her curriculum. Renner commented, " We have had an exciting year learning about South Dakota agriculture by doing experiments, having guest speakers, going on field trips and making things to eat."	Sjomeling's Dairy Visit November, 2000 Sandra's class toured a classmate's family dairy. They experienced every aspect of the business and even tried their hand at milking! They enjoyed fresh milk and lunch while at the farm. Thanks Sjomelings!
" My work with Ag In The Classroom helps me find new and exciting ideas to keep my classroom interesting and my students ready and eager to learn."

Sandra was also awarded second place, $1,000, in the SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council's "Soybean Science Kit" contest. Her students used the kit to develop science fair projects based on use of soybeans. The students also had fun trying something new--Tofu Shakes. They even showed off their moustaches--Got Soy?!

Renner, a 29-year veteran in the Pollock school system, currently teaches a combined 3^rd and 4^th grade classroom. One hour each week is set aside for her ag curriculum, however, she also incorporates agricultural concepts across her entire curriculum of math, science, language arts, social studies, reading, spelling and art and has included the ag curriculum in her state standards for math, science, social studies, reading and language arts. Throughout the year, her students keep an Ag In The Classroom scrapbook to record what they have learned.

For her accomplishments, Renner will represent South Dakota at the National Ag In The Classroom Conference in Chicago, June 27-30, 2001. She will also share her experiences and successes with other teachers during SD Ag In The Classroom workshops.