Strategic Plan for VATAT Updated 2024 Mission Statement 

The Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas is dedicated to advancing agriculture education by providing member services, encouraging high standards of teaching and leadership, providing innovative professional development, and giving agriculture education a unified voice in the state governing bodies.

 Core Areas:

 There are four core areas that the VATAT as a professional organization will emphasize to its members and supporters: 

A. Ethical Practices in Teaching and Leadership 

B. Professional Development of Agriculture Teachers 

C. Agriculture, FFA Program and Agriculture Education Advocacy

D. Stewardship of the Association 

E.  Recruitment and Retention in the Agricultural Education Career Pathway

? Ethical Practices in Teaching and Leadership 

1. Offer a support system for agriculture teachers to encourage the core values as emphasized by the profession. 

2. Allow agriculture teachers the opportunity to represent their peers in leadership roles they can take pride and ownership in as board members or officers to better our association. 

3. Utilize a committee process to plan, develop and implement policies and procedures for continuous advancement of the association.

 4. Encourage teaching practices that develop healthy relationships to make a positive difference in the education and lives of students.

5.  Provide professional support for teachers to navigate working in a school environment.

 ? Professional Development of Agriculture Teachers 

1. Provide innovative professional development year-round, in addition to the association’s annual Professional Development Conference so members may maintain their Texas Educator Certificate in compliance with applicable guidelines.

 2. Facilitate members in developing additional content specialization, or industry certifications, in order to offer expanded classroom opportunities. 

3. Promote educational practices influenced by the most current agriculture methods and teaching standards.

 4. Continue to work with the Texas FFA Association, Texas FFA Foundation, Texas Education Agency, Universities and other entities to provide continuing education to all agriculture teachers.

 ? Agriculture, FFA Program and Agriculture Education Advocacy 

1. Continue to work with the Texas FFA Association, Texas FFA Foundation, Texas Education Agency, Universities and other entities to advocate for agriculture education.

 2. Emphasize the importance of advocating for local programs, agriculture teachers, and their students.

 3. Provide information on the importance of solid relationships with school administration, other local school officials and supporters, such as local advisory boards and support groups. 

4. Provide websites, and social media content , and example communications so that teachers can continue to advocate for agriculture as a whole or on the local and community level. 

5. Promote and serve as an ambassador of agricultural education to decision makers at the state and local levels, while keeping members abreast of upcoming changes in education laws, curriculum, certifications, etc. 

? Stewardship of the Association 

1. Be good stewards of the association’s assets. 

2. Continue developing a yearly budget by the association’s finance committee that reflects day-to-day activities of the association. 

3. Maintain a cash reserve or fund balance to ensure the stability of the association.

 4. Develop sponsorships and relationships mutually beneficial to agriculture education. 

5. Strive to maintain relevant membership benefits that positively impact members.

6. Maintain a competitive salary and benefit structure to maximize employee productivity and longevity through Executive Director and Human Resource Committee recommendations from staff evaluation documents. 

7. Allow for office staff professional development to improve staff efficiency.

Recruitment and Retention in the Agricultural Education Career Pathway

1. Work with Teach Ag Program, NAAE and other entities to promote agricultural education careers.

2. Provide resources to promote agricultural education careers.

3. Develop resources to aid in the retention of agricultural education teachers.

4. Grow and improve the Association's Professional Mentor Program to aid in improving agriculture teacher retention.

5. Encourage positive perceptions of the agricultural education field.

6. Provide resources for beginning teachers to build a foundation for a successful career.