Locust Trace Teacher Tapped for National Award

Fallon Jackson of Locust Trace Agriscience Center is one of six teachers across the country to receive the Ideas Unlimited Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). She accepted the 2025 honor during their December convention in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“I love preparing students for life after high school, and I also love that we have horses on campus that students can use to learn equine skills,” said Jackson, who has taught equine science at Locust Trace for six years.  

Jackson’s winning idea, Proof in the Portfolio, reimagines how students document and demonstrate agricultural skills through personalized digital portfolios. Using accessible platforms such as Google Sites, students create multimedia portfolios that extend far beyond traditional resumes. Portfolios include videos, voice-overs, and photographs showcasing competencies ranging from equine vaccination protocols to soil testing procedures.

This approach brings student learning to life while strengthening technical and communication skills. Students leave the program with a professional, career-ready portfolio they can share with employers, colleges, and industry professionals – providing tangible evidence of their abilities and preparation for the agricultural workforce.