Mr. Doug Richard is the February featured #TeacherTuesday! He comes to us from the Chippewa Hills FFA Chapter in Region 5! Mr. Richard grew up on a hobby farm with 10 acres, and his grandfather and uncle also farmed. He showed lots of different animals in 4-H over the years, including beef, hogs, goats, rabbits, and chickens. Mr. Richard was also very active in FFA, where he was a member for four years and served as the chapter vice president his senior year. Mr. Richard attended Northwestern Michigan College for two years and then transferred to Michigan State University, where he received his bacherlor’s and master’s degree in Agriscience Education.

Mr. Richard decided to become an FFA advisor because, “I just always liked ag, the livestock, and equipment mostly. My ag teacher, MaryBeth Linquest, suggested that I look into it. When I started along this path I didn’t know this is what I wanted to do. Back then, ag teacher and extension agent were the same degree. My second year at MSU, I had to decide which path I was going to follow. At the time, extension was cutting back and there was a shortage of ag teachers, so more job opportunities.”

The most memorable part of being an advisor for Mr. Richard was having both of his sons be involved in FFA. They were leaders within the chapter at Chippewa Hills, and they became chapter officers. They also went as far as possible by receiving their American Degree. The best part of being a teacher for Mr. Richard is working with kids. He loves when they have that “aha” moment! Because of the FFA, he gets to see kids in a whole different light, and often times, in an environment other than school.

While reflecting on the accomplishments that he has made as an advisor and teacher, Mr. Richard states, “Wow, that one is tough. You can look at this one a lot of different ways. Just staying here 28 years – for the kids – for the program – for the school, I think is a big accomplishment. From another view, I get invited to a lot of open houses each year. I also get invited to many weddings of former students/members, and I attend a lot of both. If they want me to be at their event on their special day, that also is an accomplishment of doing my best over four years.”

When asked what one piece of advice he would give to new teachers, Mr. Richard declared, “Find a balance between school, FFA, and yourself. Ask for help, learn how to say no, and get a hobby. You need to find time to relax. I build fishing rods. That works for me. My wife will say that I am still working on how to say no.”

Thank you, Mr. Richard, for always being there for your students!

Written by Stephanie Harvey, State Reporter