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TRENDING:
Heath Hines, of Shickshinny, has earned appointment to the Teacher Leader Community, a national fellowship developing advocates who advance science education through agriculture.
As one of only 10 educators selected nationwide, Hines will lead Pennsylvania efforts to connect classroom science with real-world agricultural applications, addressing both educational excellence and workforce development in agricultural sciences.
Nourish the Future, a national STEM initiative connecting students to modern agriculture, selected Hines from Northwest Area School District based on his commitment to innovative science teaching and proven ability to inspire colleagues and students.
“Effective STEM teaching requires real-world context, which students and teachers find accessible in agriculture,” explained Heather Bryan, Nourish the Future education lead. “Hines’ selection recognizes his potential to transform science education throughout Pennsylvania.”
The fellowship represents a $25,000 investment in Hines’ professional development, including specialized training which began in March 2026, the Nourish the Future Community Conference in St. Louis held in June and ongoing collaboration with industry scientists and agricultural professionals. Hines will develop and present professional development sessions for Pennsylvania educators, sharing strategies that make science tangible through agricultural contexts. This advocacy work engages students in science while preparing them for careers in agricultural technology, research and production.
“Learning science through agriculture inspires students to pursue critical scientific careers currently going unfilled in the agriculture industry,” Bryan added. “Hines’ advocacy will open new opportunities for students and colleagues while enhancing science education across Pennsylvania.”
The fellowship, sponsored by the Soy Checkoff and the National Corn Growers Association, provides comprehensive classroom resources, leadership development and connections with agricultural professionals who serve as ongoing classroom resources. Hines joins a growing network of 170-plus Teacher Leader alumni who collectively impact thousands of classrooms nationwide. For information, visit nourishthefuture.org.
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