Mark Cournoyer

I became an ag teacher because my Agricultural Education Teacher influenced me. Growing up on a farm and having experiences that taught me work ethic, the value of where our food comes from, and appreciation for all that farmers do for our nation. My Ag Teacher taught me the FFA Motto "Learning to Do, Doing To Learn, Earning to Live, Living to serve. I wanted to share that motto as a career. I was influenced by great people who encouraged me to be an influence on others!

25 years ago, I had a student who had a tremendous work ethic but needed a hand. His passion was found in my ag room. Sam became an FFA officer, travelled the state and country going to leadership workshops. Sam loved the shop, creating and building and wanted to go to college for Ag Engineering, the guidance counselor told him not to bother, we got him into UWRF, graduated, continued to get his PhD in Engineering, worked for Case and Deere, and is now faculty at University of Nebraska

I would donate $1000 to our chapter charity, which is Sleep in Heavenly Peace, SHP coordinates community bed builds for kids who don't have a bed. I would take my family on a well-deserved vacation. As an Ag teacher, we do not get summers off, we do not have a season, Agricultural Education is a 365 days a year occupation. They are as much a part of my success as a teacher as any other influence. I would also buy a hot tub for our deck for some daily R&R after a long day at school