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Oklahoma Agriculture in the Classroom

Teachers


2023 Teacher of the Year

Jennifer Crosthwait

Congratulations, Jennifer Crosthwait, 2023 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.
Jennifer Crosthwait Jennifer Crosthwait was selected as the 2023 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.

Each year, parents hope for a teacher who will challenge their students all while making a lasting impact on their lives. Parents and students at Skyline Elementary in Stillwater are fortunate to have Jennifer Crosthwait as a teacher. Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is excited to announce Mrs. Crosthwait as their 2023 Teacher of the Year.

"Jennifer does such a wonderful job of incorporating agriculture into her kindergarten classroom with her students, " said Emily Ague, State AITC Coordinator. "Her students are so excited and eager to learn."

Crosthwait has taught at Skyline Elementary for 18 years. In that time, she has attended workshops, "On the Road with Ag in the Classroom" road trips, and the State and National Ag in the Classroom Conferences.

Agriculture is a large part of my life, as is teaching," said Jennifer. "My students have loved the hands-on lessons Ag in the Classroom provides, from recipes like making bread with the little red hen; to lessons about pollinators and plants; the dairy industry; and animal by-products. I love how the lessons fit in with what we are learning and how they align with Kindergarten standards."

Crosthwait has received many honors and awards, including being a National Board Certified Teacher. She has also been Skyline’s Teacher of the Month, and a Teacher of the Year Nominee. She has been awarded the Honorary Stillwater FFA Degree. Jennifer has also received several grants, including the Oklahoma Pork Council Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom grant. She is always striving to improve the experience for students in her classroom.

"Mrs. Crosthwait has a passion for agriculture. She partnered with another teacher to create Skyline farm. Students around the school take part in maintaining the chickens and garden area. She has also created and organized several ag resources for her classroom and other classroom teachers to use in their classrooms, said Claire Clark, Skyline Elementary School Assistant Principal.

Jennifer Crosthwait is to be honored at the Oklahoma State Capitol as part of the state’s annual Oklahoma Ag Day celebration on Tuesday, April 11th. Teacher of the Year sponsors include Oklahoma Ag Credit, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

To learn more about Ag in the Classroom curriculum, visit https://oklahoma.agclassroom.org/ or contact Emily Ague, an Oklahoma AITC coordinator, at (405) 885-1851.