The Cool Sheep Careers

AGRICULTURE TEACHER

ALSO CALLED

  • Rural studies teacher
  • Ag teacher

WHAT’S THE JOB ABOUT?

  • Developing interest, skills and knowledge in agriculture

Teaching students in high schools, colleges, agricultural training centres, TAFE institutions and other vocational centres and universities

  • Managing institution-based farms

Raising/ breeding/exhibiting livestock, growing pastures and crops

  • Teaching disciplines and specialist areas related to agriculture

Science, statistics, mathematics, livestock production, agronomy, genetics, soil science, microbiology

  • Fulfilling curriculum,  reporting and institution requirements

Preparing teaching plans to meet syllabus requirements, exam preparation and marking, reporting student progress and results, student welfare, administrative and miscellaneous duties

 

WORK CONDITIONS

  • As with other teachers, agriculture teachers have set teaching terms and hours with a timetable of scheduled classes.

 

  • Agriculture teachers may work as a team in a dedicated section in schools/campuses with a strong focus on agriculture.
  • In schools where agriculture does not have a strong focus, agriculture teachers are usually members of the science staff and may be required to teach science classes as part of their scheduled load.

 

  • Most teachers carry out lesson preparation and marking in their own time.
  • Additional duties such as playground supervision, sports lessons and staff meetings are mandatory for most secondary teachers.

 

  • In locations where a farm is attached to the school or campus, agriculture teachers may be involved in the day-to-day work and management of the farm.
  • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and animal welfare issues must be addressed by agriculture teachers.

 

  • Agriculture teachers may choose or be directed to participate in agricultural shows and other events.

 


EXPERIENCE AND RELATED TRAINING

  • To be employed as an agriculture teacher you must have appropriate qualifications in both agriculture and teaching.
  • Teachers in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector must have relevant industry experience.

 

  • Check whether there are training or licensing requirements in your state to do some tasks such as using chemicals or chainsaws, operating a front-end loader or driving a vehicle.

 

 

Career path

 

Training Requirements
to teach in

 

  • Agriculture teacher

 

You undertake a range of the above tasks under the supervision of a head teacher and executive staff.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

  • Degree in Agriculture (or equivalent)
  • Graduate/Post graduate teaching qualifications

 

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

  • Diploma in Agriculture
  • Degree in Agriculture

(or equivalent)

  • Certificate 4 in Workplace Assessment and Training

 

TERTIARY EDUCATION

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

in a field related to agriculture

  • Head teacher

 

You are responsible for the teachers and teaching program in your section and usually teach a reduced program of senior classes.

  • Executive staff

 

You are employed as a deputy, assistant, principal or manager with responsibility for students, curriculum, a school/campus or a number of sites teaching agriculture.

 

Related Jobs

  • Extension officer
  • Farm manager
  • Farmer
  • Landcare coordinator
  • Rural business manager/owner
  • Rural financial counsellor