Seventh-grade math teacher from Rocky Mount receives a national teaching award
Jennifer Hatch, a distinguished mathematics teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Rocky Mount, has been recently honored with the coveted 2023 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award, which recognizes educators across the United States for their exceptional efforts in incorporating agricultural concepts into their curricula.
A true inspiration to her students, Hatch previously received the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom 2023 Teacher of the Year award, placing her among a select group of teachers from across the country to have been bestowed with this honor. The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Farm Credit proudly presented Hatch with the award in recognition of her innovative approaches to teaching mathematics, science, and other subjects through the lens of agriculture.
The partnership between these esteemed organizations aims to encourage educators to utilize agriculture as a teaching tool, inspiring and engaging students of all ages in STEM, STEAM, social studies, and other subjects. By utilizing agricultural concepts, students gain a deeper understanding of the significance of farming and the impact of food production on their daily lives.
Dr. Dionne Toombs, acting director of USDA-NIFA, commented, “These outstanding teachers recognize that agriculture also is a perfect foundation for teaching biology, chemistry, climatology, math and literacy, in ways that any age or level of students can understand, value and apply to their daily life.” Hatch and her fellow award recipients are applauded for providing students with valuable real-world connections to the lessons and activities that their teachers share, fostering a love for learning, nature, and science among them.
At Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Hatch’s students have benefited from the innovative hydroponics garden that she established in her classroom, where they grew a variety of produce, including lettuce, basil, and cilantro. Applying their math skills, Hatch’s students gathered data, recorded plant measurements and growth rates, and performed data analysis throughout the growing process. They also received farm-to-table experiences by preparing their classroom-grown produce into meals, gaining valuable insights into food preparation, budgeting, and recipe calculation.
Tammy Maxey, Virginia AITC executive director, praised Hatch for her exceptional contribution, stating, “Jennifer Hatch opens the eyes of her students to the many opportunities in agriculture through integrating mathematics and hydroponics. Her students are experiencing the application of math concepts while truly becoming budding agriculture engineers and horticulturalists, which will spur career interest and help these secondary students begin to set their sights on future careers.”
As the Virginia AITC Teacher of the Year, Hatch was awarded a scholarship to the 2023 National AITC Conference in Orlando, Florida, where she will be recognized for her remarkable achievements. The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that promotes agricultural education and outreach activities, supports Hatch’s initiative, and seeks to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of agriculture among educators and students alike. To learn more about their mission visit virginia.agclassroom.org.
