Fitzgerald Selected Iowa’s Outstanding Ag Teacher

BOONE, Iowa—Jim Fitzgerald, agricultural science teacher at Boone High School, was selected as Iowa’s 2024 Outstanding Ag Teacher by the Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators. This award program distinguishes secondary and post-secondary agricultural education teachers who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs in the state. The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education. As the state winner, Fitzgerald advances to compete as the Iowa representative in the Region 3 Outstanding Ag Teacher Award for the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

Fitzgerald, a Boone native, has taught agriculture at Boone High School since 2012. During this time, the Boone Agricultural Science program has grown, expanded, and modernized the curriculum and courses offered. Unique courses like Precision Ag Technology and Toreador Metal Works offer students the opportunity to gain real-world career skills. Student enrollment in ag courses and involvement in FFA has continually grown over the past twelve years. FFA is one of the largest student organizations at Boone High School and students annually participate in activities and events focusing on leadership, communication, career skills, and community service.

In addition to the local program, Jim Fitzgerald has been involved in ag education and FFA at the state level including serving as the Superintendent of the Iowa State Fair FFA Market Swine Show for 13 years, member of the Iowa FFA Ag Mechanics CDE Committee, served as the North Central District FFA Advisor in 2022, and currently serves on the Iowa FFA Association Board of Directors. Previously, Fitzgerald was awarded the Iowa FFA Association Honorary State Degree in 2023.

The Iowa Association of Ag Educators (IAAE) is an organization for professional educators in agriculture at the secondary and postsecondary level in Iowa. The organization serves 385 instructors in 300 secondary and postsecondary agricultural education programs across Iowa. The IAAE vision is to be the premier organization for advancing agricultural education and their mission is to foster a network of professionals that values and supports the advancement of agricultural education.