Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Teachers: THANK YOU for all the energy, support and creativity you pour into your classrooms every day. Our Discover Dairy teachers have a strong passion for agriculture, so this week, we want to showcase a few who are going above and beyond for their students and communities. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for this spotlight series! We know our teachers are the heart of our school communities, and we are inspired by the difference you are making.

Meet Amber Stout

Meet Amber Stout, a dedicated 3rd grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary who goes above and beyond to bring agriculture into her classroom through the Discover Dairy and Adopt a Cow programs! 🐄🌱 Although she doesn’t come from a dairy background, Amber lives on a farm and uses her passion for agriculture to create unforgettable learning experiences for her students. From hatching chicks and spinning wool to bottle-feeding baby lambs and studying soil health, her classroom is full of hands-on activities that spark curiosity and make learning come alive.

Amber’s favorite classroom memories involve field trips to her own farm during lambing and kidding season—where students witness live animal births, feed baby animals, and learn how farm products like milk, wool, and meat are used in everyday life. She even brings in live animals like turkeys and lambs to teach about survival adaptations, wool production, and ruminant digestion.

With incubators, hydroponics, compost experiments, and expert guest speakers, her students are immersed in lessons that connect science, agriculture, and real-world problem solving.

“Making connections is what makes education so meaningful,” Amber says. “My hope is that my students remember these experiences, learn from them, and acquire a desire to know more.”

Meet Monica Chamberlain

Monica Chamberlain, a 6th grade ELA, Math, and STEAM teacher at Hamilton Central School, is lighting the way for future leaders by encouraging her students to ask questions, think critically, and learn by doing. Through Discover Dairy and the Adopt a Cow program, she’s helping her students connect with agriculture in meaningful and creative ways—even though she doesn’t come from a dairy background herself.

One of Monica’s most inspiring classroom moments came from a student who struggled with traditional learning and often found himself in the office. But when Monica introduced hands-on drone lessons, everything changed. He became the class leader, successfully fixing drones and helping others troubleshoot. “When we meet kids where they are and give them an opportunity to learn in a way that works for them, we get to see great things happen!” Monica says.

Monica also leads a powerful initiative called the Dairy Drive—where students sell paper cows for $1, using the money to purchase milk from Collins Creamery and donate it to their local food cupboard. Not only do students learn about food insecurity and supporting local farmers, but they also build life skills like money management, communication, and resilience. For three years running, her students have raised enough to provide milk for their community for an entire year. That’s more than just a fundraiser—it’s a lesson in compassion, leadership, and real-world impact.

Meet Tanya Scarpato

Say hello to Tanya Scarpato, a dedicated 4th grade teacher at Wyncote Elementary who brings agriculture to life in the classroom through the Adopt a Cow program! Even without a dairy background, Tanya has participated in the program for five years, finding new ways each year to make learning about the dairy industry meaningful and fun for her students.

One of her standout teaching moments came after her class received a Discover Dairy grant—allowing them to visit a working dairy farm, make butter from heavy cream, and wear personalized cow-print shirts to celebrate the experience. This year, Tanya and several students even visited Zahncroft Dairy on a Saturday to meet their adopted calf in person for the first time!

Her creative, hands-on approach is especially impactful in her urban classroom near Philadelphia, where many students have limited exposure to agriculture.

“It was such a great hands-on, real-world experience for my class and it kept them excited about the dairy industry and agriculture, which is especially awesome since we live close to a major city, Philadelphia, and not in a rural area.”

Meet Jenna Calfo

Meet Jenna Calfo, a first-year 3rd grade Science and Social Studies teacher at New London Elementary who brings her lifelong passion for agriculture straight into the classroom! As the 2024 Ohio State Holstein Queen and someone who grew up on her family’s dairy farm, Jenna is proud to share her love of Holsteins, farm life, and agricultural education with both students and staff.

Jenna uses her background in 4-H and her family’s farming legacy to create meaningful, hands-on lessons for her students. From soil health experiments to seed germination projects, she brings science to life with the help of her local 4-H Extension Office. Her classroom isn’t just about learning facts—it’s about understanding the real-world role of agriculture and developing a respect for where our food comes from.

Through her participation in the Adopt a Cow program, Jenna’s students follow the growth of a calf and learn about proper animal care, dairy nutrition, and how farming supports the local community. These activities offer powerful connections between classroom lessons and everyday life, and Jenna’s energy and enthusiasm make those lessons unforgettable.

“Miss Calfo is so passionate about agriculture, and I believe she will continue to be a strong advocate for agriculture,” shares a colleague. “She’s a positive voice in our rural school community, and we’re lucky to have her!”

Meet Jennifer Bailey

Jennifer Bailey is an outstanding educator with a deep commitment to teaching agricultural literacy and helping her students understand where their food comes from and how agriculture shapes their lives. Even without a dairy background, Jen has embraced programs like Discover Dairy and Adopt a Cow for over three years—making ag education a vibrant part of her classroom and school culture.

Jen’s dedication goes far beyond the classroom. She has been named a NY Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year, presented at the National Ag in the Classroom convention in Florida, and continues to lead innovative programs like an after-school ag enrichment club. Her students have explored agriculture firsthand—visiting local farms, engaging with guest speakers, and learning about the wide range of careers in the ag industry.

This year, Jen is also leading weekly food-focused lessons for second grade classes through the Pilot Light Food Program, giving students early and engaging exposure to food systems and nutrition.

Her passion is contagious—spreading to fellow teachers and inspiring a school-wide movement. Thanks to her leadership, more staff are incorporating ag literacy into their curriculum, and the school is working toward hosting its first-ever spring Agricultural Fair!

“Jen’s adventurous spirit and love of learning have sparked deep-rooted connections with our rural community and built stronger relationships between students and the communities they are from.”

Meet Maryssa Adams Brown

Maryssa Adams Brown is a reading interventionist and counseling teacher for PreK through 5th grade students—and a true champion for agricultural education and emotional growth. With a dairy background and a heart for both animals and kids, Maryssa has turned her passion into purpose through an incredible agricultural therapy program on campus.

Recognizing the need for more hands-on learning, Maryssa personally invested time, money, and heart into building the program from the ground up. She introduced goats to the campus, expanded student access to the school garden and chickens, and even wrote a grant to help sustain the effort—leading to PTA support and community involvement. The impact has been remarkable: students are developing self-regulation, empathy, and stronger connections to nature.

Through the Adopt a Cow program, Maryssa brought the entire school together around their adopted calf, Aspen. From updates to coloring contests, she’s fostered excitement and curiosity in students of all ages and backgrounds—many of whom are experiencing animal care for the first time.

Maryssa uses agriculture as a powerful tool to teach empathy and social-emotional skills, creating a compassionate, growth-focused environment for all learners. She is deeply valued not only by students and colleagues, but by the animals in her care, too!

“All students benefit from working with our garden and animals. We’ve seen significant growth in students’ ability to care for others and connect with the world around them—thanks to Maryssa’s vision and heart.”

Meet Tracye Robinson

Tracye Robinson is a standout educator in early childhood special education, whose creativity and commitment to her students have made a lasting impact. For the past three years, Tracye has seamlessly integrated the Discover Dairy and Adopt a Cow programs into her PreK classroom, turning them into hands-on, engaging learning experiences that are accessible for all her students.

With a passion for fostering inclusivity and supporting her students’ diverse needs, Tracye creates an environment where learning is not just about academics, but also about developing empathy, responsibility, and curiosity. Through the Adopt a Cow program, her students explore agriculture, science, and social-emotional learning in ways that nurture sensory development, language acquisition, and cognitive skills. Whether it’s making butter, observing cow growth, or engaging with sensory activities tied to farm life, Tracye ensures each student has a meaningful connection to the material.

Tracye also fosters community involvement by sharing the excitement of the program with families through newsletters and home activities. Her innovative approach brings the world of agriculture into the lives of her students, helping them grow in both knowledge and character.

“Tracye’s dedication to making learning accessible and enriching for her students with special needs is a testament to her incredible passion and expertise as an educator. She always finds new ways to bring learning to life!”

Meet Corinne Hooten

Corinne Hooten is a passionate and dedicated teacher at Bradford Area Christian Academy, where she shapes the minds and hearts of 1st and 2nd grade students. With a deep respect for the dairy industry and a naturalistic approach to life, Corinne encourages her students to embrace healthy habits for the mind, body, and soul.

Her hands-on teaching style makes learning come alive. Corinne takes her students on farm visits, teaches about ecosystems, habitats, and the natural world, and facilitates in-depth studies of animals and their environments. Her commitment to experiential learning inspires her students to explore the world around them and build a connection to nature.

Through her participation in the Discover Dairy and Adopt a Cow programs, Corinne introduces her students to the dairy industry every other year, helping them understand animal care and healthy living. Her students benefit not only from her curriculum but from her unwavering dedication to making learning meaningful and impactful.

“Corinne is an amazing teacher who truly pours her heart into her students, teaching them the importance of a healthy, balanced life and a deep respect for the world around them.”

Meet Callie Thigpen

Callie Thigpen is lighting the way for agricultural education in middle school—and she’s doing it with heart, grit, and incredible impact. As the ONLY middle school agriculture teacher in her county, Callie teaches 6th and 7th grade students core topics like food production, plant and animal care, and soil systems, while helping 8th graders explore careers in agriculture, environmental science, and agribusiness.

Now in her third year of teaching—and her first as a mom—Callie continues to go above and beyond to create a classroom full of energy, discovery, and opportunity. From bringing in live plants and animals to leading students in tractor driving and beef judging competitions, she makes learning tangible and meaningful. Her dedication is inspiring students to consider future careers in ag and helping them build real-world skills they’ll carry for life.

“Callie’s hands-on approach ignites a passion for agriculture in her students. She’s not just teaching lessons—she’s shaping future leaders in the industry.”

Meet Wendy Hamilton

Wendy Hamilton, a 2nd grade teacher at Northern Potter Children’s School, brings her love for agriculture and education together in a way that transforms her classroom and community. With a dairy background and a deep passion for her rural roots, Wendy is the heart behind the school’s beloved Farm Friday program.

For over 10 years, Wendy has led Farm Friday with unwavering dedication—creating lessons, organizing virtual farm tours, inviting local farmers and FFA members into the classroom, and even teaching students about her own family’s maple farm. Each week, second graders explore how the food they eat and the products they use connect to agriculture, building real-world understanding and respect for the farming community.

Wendy’s impact doesn’t stop with her students. She lifts up the entire faculty with her encouragement, kindness, and enthusiasm. Her work reminds everyone that “No Farms, No Food” isn’t just a motto—it’s a mission that begins with education.

“Wendy is committed to making agriculture important because it is important to everyone. Her passion is what makes Farm Fridays so successful and meaningful for our students.”