Northfield Teacher Recognized for Agricultural Education by MDA

Tiffany Kortbein receives 2020 Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award

St. Paul, MN: Tiffany Kortbein, a kindergarten teacher at Greenvale Park Elementary School in Northfield, has received the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) 2020 Outstanding Teacher Award.

In her kindergarten class, Kortbein teaches about the lifecycles of animals, animal and farm vocabulary, and does hands-on work with students such as making butter and pizza from scratch. Kindergartners at Greenvale Park take annual field trips to a dairy farm and an apple orchard, and help to incubate chicken eggs and raise baby chicks.

“Making children aware of all the agriculture around them at such a young age will make them more aware as an adult,” she said. “Looking at things through a child’s eyes truly is through a different lens then that of an adult. Children are open to hearing new things, open to exploring with their hands, and seeing new perspectives.”

In addition to her teaching efforts with kindergarten students, Kortbein works to bring agricultural education into her school at all grade levels through an annual Farm Day celebration, creation of a school garden and annual school-wide celebration of the Great Lakes Apple Crunch.

She also conducts professional development opportunities for teachers at Greenvale Park so they can become more knowledgeable about agricultural education.

Kortbein will receive a $500 stipend and up to $1,500 in expenses to attend the 2020 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in June.

The MAITC vision is for agriculture to be valued by all. The program is a 30-year established public/private partnership based at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit Minnesota Ag in the Classroom for more information and free educational resources.

Related Posts

Local Events

Easter Egg Hunt – Dundas

Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 10:00 am – The Dundas Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 30, 10:00am at Memorial Park in Dundas. Bring your own basket. Suggested donation is $1/child.

View Event »

The Okee Dokee Brothers

Saturday, April 6, 2024 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – The Okee Dokee Brothers presented by Northfield Youth Choirs. Saturday, April 6, 3-4pm, Northfield Middle School. $20 general admission. Tickets available at www.northfieldyouthchoirs.org.

View Event »

Northfield Community Market Fair – More than a Home & Garden Show!

Saturday, April 6, 2024 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Community Market Fair – More than a Home & Garden Show, Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Dundas Dome. Browse dozens of vendor from landscaping to remodeling, from sustainability to catering services, from insurance to real estate. There is so much to look forward to as you read below. Help keep Northfield in business. 100++ […]

View Event »