Pam Woodhouse’s love for agriculture is woven seamlessly through her Grade 3-4 class curriculum in Arthur, Ont.
“As someone who is passionate about agriculture, being able to combine teaching with my love for this field is truly a dream come true,” said Woodhouse. “I am both humbled and honoured to be recognized in this way, and I look forward to continuing to inspire and educate others about the importance of agriculture.”
The St. John Catholic School teacher was awarded AgScape’s annual Teaching Excellence in Agriculture and Food Education Award and the $1,500 prize at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, an award sponsor, on Sept. 12.
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Why it matters: Teachers play a crucial role in helping students understand the origins of the food they eat and the significant role farming and agriculture play in their lives.
A passionate farmer and agriculture enthusiast, Woodhouse weaves agriculture and food literacy into learning, utilizing AgScape’s programs and resources, curriculum-linked lesson plans and Virtual Field.
Her large-scale field trips to the International Plowing Match and participation in the Pizza Perfect program at the Grand River Raceway connect students to real-world agricultural practices and history.
In a statement, Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education, said the Grade 1 to 3 Social Studies curriculum dovetails with Woodhouse’s efforts because it explores the relationship between the natural environment, land use and employment opportunities.
She also applauded AgScape’s curriculum-linked resources, which help teachers and students build knowledge and contribute to “the next generation of agri-food professionals.”
“Working with extraordinary educators is one of our greatest privileges at AgScape,” said Mira Lyonblum, AgScape executive director, in a statement. “Without teachers like Pam going above and beyond, we would not be able to empower students across Ontario to see themselves as an integral part of our agriculture and food system.”
