Learning: DisneyHand Teacher Awards: The 2004 Honorees
Jason M. Larison
High School: Applied Fields - Agricultural Sciences

Jason M. Larison
Holton High School
Holton, Kansas

"The students I teach today are much different than the students of 1952 when my high school Ag Teacher began his career. I feel a duty and an honor to be ready for them when they enter my room in the year 2004 and beyond."

-- Jason

"In the eight years since Jason was hired to take over an Ag science program that was all but dead, he has turned the program around and established it as not only a state recognized program, but also a national one. He has made a difference and through numerous grants now teaches in a paperless classroom."

-- Alan Beam, Principal

In Jason's classroom, every student has a laptop computer for class. Instead of using an out of date textbook, each student uses their laptop to navigate on the web to resources that supplement the classroom lessons. The Ag Ed Department website serves as a gateway to everything going on in the program and students can even submit assignments over email. A wealth of learning resources is available at the click of a computer mouse. All testing for class is done online, and students receive a test score and the correct answers just seconds after they press submit. No longer do students wait a day or two to get their tests graded, but they receive instant feedback on incorrect answers while the subject is still fresh in their minds. Jason find that stepping into this high tech classroom of the 21st Century, the only limitation to teaching is one's imagination.

Other Highlights:

  • USDA Challenge Grant Recipient/Author "Paperless, Wireless Agriculture Classroom and Resource Library" (Secured 21 Toshiba Pentium 4 laptop computers, 20 Palm Handhelds and Digital Teaching Resources to redesign the agriculture education classroom), 2002
  • FFA Agriscience Teacher of the Year - National Finalist (Top 4 in the Nation), 2002
  • National FFA Model of Innovation Chapter in Community Development, 2003
  • National FFA Model of Innovation Chapter in Student Development, 2002
  • 1st Place FFA Chapter in the State (Kansas FFA Triple Crown Winner) , 2001, 2002, 2003
  • National Finalist Gold Emblem Parliamentary Procedure Teams - 4th in 2000 and 3rd in 1999; 5th Place Parliamentary Procedure Team in 2002
  • National FFA Farm Business Management CDE 11th Place National Gold Emblem in 2000
  • Advised 50 State FFA Degree Recipients, 2 District Star Farmers, 3 District Stars in Agribusiness, 18 American FFA Degree Recipients, 8 District FFA Officers, 9 State FFA Officer Candidates, 2 State FFA Officers, 7 State Level Public Speaking Champions, 116 District and 24 State FFA Proficiency Award Winners
  • Successful proposal to school board and supervised student construction of a 21 by 36 foot X-S Smith Gutter-Connect Greenhouse for Agricultural Education Department
  • Kansas FFA Honorary State FFA Degree, 2003
  • Kansas Association of Agriculture Education (KAAE), Ideas Unlimited Award, 2001
  • Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), New Teacher of the Year Finalist, 1999
  • National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE), Outstanding Young Member Region II, 1998
  • Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Secondary Teacher of the Year, 1998
  • National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Region II National Ideas Unlimited Award, 1997
  • Kansas FFA Treasurer, 1991-92
  • Kansas Association of Agriculture Education (KAAE) President, 2002-03

Website: http://www.holton.k12.ks.us/staff/jlarison