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Oklahoma teacher named 2009 National Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the YearOklahoma Sue Kirk, first-grade teacher at the Wayland Bonds Elementary School in the Moore public school system, has been named 2009 National Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach, along with AITC coordinators Jamey Allen and Dana Bessinger, presented Kirk with the news during a presentation at her school May 8. At the ceremony, Peach asked the students if they followed sports and received an enthusiastic positive response. "Think of the NCAA basketball championship," he told the group. "In the world of teaching Ag in the Classroom, Ms. Kirk is the national champion." The AITC program provides core curriculum material that incorporates agricultural information in studies such as math, science, language arts, reading and social studies. Kirk uses agricultural themes in her class as well as the usual core curriculum. "When the students walk into the classroom, they are greeted by a big, red barn and a rooster puppet that crows to greet them to a new school day," said Allen. "Sue is dynamic, exciting and one of the most personable teachers in the state; and we are really proud to see her efforts recognized nationally." Kirk was recognized last year, at the State Capitol during the Oklahoma Agriculture Day celebration, and receives a $500 honorarium provided by Dosia Jackson in memory of Paul Jackson. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women's organization provided airfare for Kirk to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Costa Mesa, Calif. The Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom program is a joint project of the ODAFF, Oklahoma Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension Service.
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