BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WSIL) — The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) program has recognized Erin Parks as the 2026 Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Runner Up.
Parks, a sixth-grade teacher at Carrier Mills-Stonefort CUSD 2 in Stonefort, Saline County, has inspired students through her innovative approach to integrating agriculture into daily lessons.
“She looks for ways to integrate agriculture on a daily basis in her cross-curricular teaching assignment,” the press release said.
Her teaching methods include science and STEM activities like desktop greenhouses, pumpkin catapults, and composting projects. Parks also incorporates ELA connections, enhancing the learning experience for her students.
Of particular note is her STEM unit which links the story of Colonel Gail Halvorsen with candy and food parachutes during the holiday season.
As the runner-up, Parks will be the Illinois nominee for the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture White Reinhart Award.
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