Part‐Time Employment by Secondary Agricultural Education Teachers

Abstract

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.