We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Chinook Junior and Senior High School students have been very successful through the years with their Future Farmers of America (FFA) endeavors and the Ag/Shop classes have done great work with the community. So, when the schools search for a new Ag teacher came up short with no applications being turned in a very interesting development took place, "Our inability to find an Ag teacher took an odd turn when the sitting Vice Chairperson of our school board opted to resign and take the Ag position and FFA advisor role," said Chinook Public Schools Superintendent Fred Hoffman. Mitzi Cecrle has earned her American FFA Degree and will step down from the Board to fill the position. "The fun part is that her mother, Carolyn Liddle is a special education paraprofessional and has spent time working at all three schools, including Hartland Colony. This past spring, Mitzi's daughter Jade Cecrle-Pleninger was hired to be an elementary para at the Meadowlark school," concluded Hoffman.
The decision to step down was obvious to Cecrle, "When I found out that Chinook Schools was not getting any Agricultural teacher applications for our open position, I thought to myself I have to call someone for help. As I talked to other Ag teachers around the state, I found out that we had more openings in the state than people to fill those positions. I knew our Ag program was in trouble." She began to question herself, "What can I do, I asked?" In the end she decided to do what she felt she had to, "I could start the licensing process and save the oldest existing FFA/Ag program in the state of Montana. The program that offered me endless opportunities and skills that I still use today."
Cecrle's commitment to the position and the class a s a hole is undeniable, "The Chinook Ag program means so much to me, not only because of what it means to this community but also what it has offered generations in my own family. The students at Chinook High School need the FFA/Ag program, the community needs this program and Montana needs these programs, I believe. So, I got my license, put in my application and I am so glad I did."
Jumping in last minute could make the start of school a bit difficult, but Mitzi made it through, "It's been tough getting started, but I am so glad to have the students from this community to help. They are amazing at making it theirs. They all dove in and helped the shop shine again. We have a long way to go yet but there is something about working hard together that gets into your blood that just lasts a lifetime. And these kids know how to do it."
The students and their new teacher wasted little time getting involved with ways to help the community, "The construction/wood working class started working on six dog shelters for the PAWS Animal Shelter and are doing a wonderful job. When it was brought to my attention by a coworker that PAWS needed help, I asked the students, 'Do you want to build some shelters?' They were excited to say yes. It has been a blessing getting to know all these kids. I am excited to help the students have the same skills and experiences I once got from this exact same program."
