Name: Josie Reilly
School district: USD 470
Arkansas City High School/ Arkansas City Middle School
City/State: Arkansas City, KS
Class/content area taught: High School and Middle School Agriculture
What you are most excited about with your new career: The most exciting part about beginning my career is being able to combine two of my passions together, agriculture and people! Coming here to Ark City has also allowed me the opportunity to work with two experienced teachers in our agriculture program, which I enjoy very much. We all work together well and bring out the best qualities in each other to help best serve our students. Being a part of a three-teacher agriculture program has been an awesome experience thus far thanks to my two amazing partners!
What you enjoy most about teaching: My favorite thing about teaching is being able to build connections with my students and fellow educators. I believe positive relationships play an extremely important role in the lives of students and being a teacher allows me to build upon them every day!
Ways your school/district has supported you: I have been blessed to have an administration and school district who supports our agriculture program in many ways. I appreciate the warm welcome I received being a rookie and trust they put in me to do my job well. Any time our program has a need, our school has always backed us up. I have always felt comfortable asking questions and seeking advice from our administration and staff. It is great to be a part of a school who bends over backwards to help their students and teachers be successful.
Ways KSU especially helped prepare you for your new career: I believe Kansas State University has prepared me well in building a strong knowledge of agriculture and ability to network with people. I had many opportunities to work with a wide range of people which in turn prepared me well to with a diverse group of students. The connections I made in the agricultural world have benefited me greatly as I was able to meet many friends and mentors who continue to support me in my career through KSU
Specifics about your background that make teaching the perfect fit for you: Coming from a family of teachers, it has always been in my blood! Having both my mother and father as teacher then seeing how both of my sisters fell in love with the profession too, I knew I was right where I needed to be. I love being able to help educate the next generations and encourage them to make a positive impact in the world. I can’t picture myself being this happy with any other career!
Other thoughts: I would like to say thank you to my family, teachers and friends who have supported me in my journey to becoming an agricultural educator. I am excited to finally be beginning my career and can’t wait to see what life has in store for me!