| Abstrakt: |
The purpose of this study was to compare secondary agricultural educators’ perceptions of the benefits and problems associated with teaching agricultural education and being involved in other part-time employment activities. The sample consisted of 107 agricultural educators nonrandomly selected from three states. Sixty-nine useable questionnaires (64.4%) were included in the final data analysis. A majority of the respondents (60.3%) were engaged in part-time employment activities. Secondary agricultural education teachers were in agreement that part-time employment has a number of benefits including financial and/or personal rewards, enhancement of teaching, increased knowledge of agriculture, knowledge of student opportunities, and provided an alternative laboratory (operating farm) for hands-on student experiences. Secondary agricultural education teachers agreed that part-time employment has a number of problems including time management issues, personal issues such as burnout and family time, conflicts of interest, competing careers, school/administrator/faculty relationships, failure to implement components of the total agricultural education program, lack of time for professional development, and limited community involvement. Teachers involved in part-time employment rated four of the benefit categories of part-time employment significantly higher than the teachers who were not involved in part-time employment. Teachers involved in part-time employment rated seven of the problem categories of part-time employment significantly lower than the teachers who were not involved in part-time employment. In summary, participants in the study believe the involvement of agricultural educators in other part-time employment activities benefits as well as provide problems for the individuals. |
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