Erik Johnson (Valley City) has been selected as the 2020 North Dakota Association of Agricultural Educators (NDAAE) summer intern, a position funded through the efforts of the NDAAE, the North Dakota FFA Association and the North Dakota FFA Foundation.
Johnson is currently a junior at North Dakota State University and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2021 with a degree in agricultural education. Johnson attributes the spark for his career path and passion to a memory going back to the third grade, where he remembers the times he spent visiting his grandparents’ farm.
“I always wanted to teach social studies, and follow the footsteps of my grandma, but I have such fond memories of visiting my grandparents’ farms while growing up. I quickly realized I could translate this love for the farm and everything out there to a career that combines teaching and agriculture.”
Erik Johnson
As the 2020 NDAAE intern, Johnson hopes to learn more about the work that happens “behind the scenes” for events such as the ND State FFA Convention and the North Dakota State Fair. He’s also excited to get to know ag. teachers in North Dakota, along with their students. “I have been fortunate to meet a few members of the North Dakota ag. education family while here at NDSU, but I know there’s so many more to meet and learn from before I begin teaching,” says Johnson.
(Photo credit: Gretchen Barker)
While talking about his other passions and interests, Johnson highlighted a variety of hobbies and involvement including: Playing the piano, taking organ lessons and he will also start his fourth year marching with NDSU’s Gold Star Marching Band in the fall.
Johnson’s selection process includes an interview with the selection committee, made up of Ag. Ed. teachers in North Dakota including Brooke Thiel (NDSU), Desi Severance (Wyndmere), Breanna Bregel (NDSU) and Darin Spelhaug (Wahpeton). Johnson’s position is set to begin May 30th and will continue throughout the summer of 2020.
