Education Alumnus Receives White House Recognition

Tyler Pope graduated from The University of Findlay in 2011 with his Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Integrated Science Education. His current position as Agriculture Education Instructor and Future Farmers of America (FFA) adviser at Buckeye Central Local Schools in New Washington, Ohio has recently helped him earn national recognition.

Tyler was honored at the White House’s celebration of Innovations in Career and Technical Education for innovations he’s implemented in the classroom, including a hydroponics laboratory he started that allows students to conduct research-based experiments helping them learn about the growth stages of plants.
Pope has also implemented maple syrup production activities, crop production test plot research, and soil analysis and contributions to groundwater pollution.
In the letter Pope sent with his recognition application, he also indicated that students who completed all four years of his agricultural education coursework from the year 2007 to 2015 have had a 100% graduation rate, while the school-wide graduation rate sits at 87.3% (2014 Ohio School Report Card).
Already a teacher at Buckeye Central Local Schools when he decided to enroll in UF’s graduate education program, he said, “I chose UF for it’s professionalism and flexibility in scheduling of blended courses utilizing online and face-to-face educational settings.”
Pope said, “My continued education and professional development through UF has increased my ability to reach my students in the best way possible – through interactive learning experiences.” When asked how faculty interactions may have added to his experience he went on to say that, “Dr. Gwynne Rife’s passion for teaching science to potential science educators inspired me to become the best teacher that I can be.”
Click here to learn more about The University of Findlay’s graduate education programs.