As FFA members journey through their high school years, many are profoundly impacted by their advisors, who help them forge a deep connection to the organization and its mission. Some of these alumni, driven by the transformative influence of their FFA advisors, come full circle, deciding to return to the organization as agricultural teachers themselves.
Meet Austin Paddock
Austin Paddock, an Oakdale FFA alumnus, is now an agriculture teacher at Central Valley High School in Ceres. Inspired by his high school agriculture classes, he pursued education. FFA instilled skills like public speaking, resilience, and teamwork while fostering invaluable connections.
Austin says that one thing that impacted him as an FFA member was FFA’s inclusive nature. Members are not required to have an extensive background in agriculture, and every member is encouraged to discover and grow their interests. “As an ag teacher now, I strive to include every student from every background and make sure that their FFA experience holds key memories from their high school careers.” Austin works diligently to make the ag department a home away from home for every student, embracing diverse backgrounds and creating a place for all students.
Meet Cassidy Steenbock
Cassidy is an alumnus of the Menifee-Heritage FFA but now calls Texas home, where she works as an ag teacher. She instructs agriculture science and mechanics, oversees SAE projects, and mentors CDE and LDE teams. Starting at Modesto Junior College, she earned two associate degrees, followed by a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and teaching credential from Fresno State.
FFA ignited her passion for teaching agriculture, imparting crucial life skills and industry knowledge. Cassidy credits her own agriculture teachers as the foundation for her success. "Each of them had a major influence on my career and educational decisions," Cassidy says. "They all made it so clear that they loved their job, which made it an easy decision for me to pursue the same career."
Meet David Reyes
David is a former La Habra-Sonora FFA member, now pursuing his teaching credential at CSU, Fresno. Inspired by his high school FFA experiences and dedicated ag teachers, he's committed to becoming a high school agriculture teacher. FFA honed skills like public speaking and empathy while providing him with a network of passionate individuals who later became classmates and industry connections.
As he transitions from FFA member to educator, David values the opportunity to nurture students' passions. “FFA introduced me to an organization I would eventually fall in love with,” David reflects. “As a member, I was heavily involved and now I cannot wait to be on the other side of it. Helping students find their passion and nurturing it.”
