Meet our Ag Literacy Coordinator
Vermilion County
Farm Bureau is
pleased to announce
that Thea Gernand
has started as Ag
Literacy Coordinator
in Vermilion County.
She is a native of the
county, and went to
Illinois State. She and
her husband Luke live on their farm east of Potomac.
She's ready to hit the ground running this fall helping students in Vermilion County learn more about farming and where their food comes from.
Chris Jaruseski Named
AITC Teacher of the Year
Chris Jaruseski, kindergarten teacher at Mark Denman Elementary in Danville, received the 2019 Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award. Chris enjoys hatching chicks in her classroom every spring. She uses the activity to help her students develop their writing skills by writing about the eggs and chicks.
She also took her students to Fair Oaks Farms to see the animals and pick apples. They later made applesau ce from those apples in their classroom, connecting the farm to the food they eat.
She's shown receiving her award from Ag Literacy Coordinator Thea Gernand (right).
Previous AITC Teachers of the Year
2018 - Sue Heidle, Danville Lutheran School, Danville
2017 - Michelle Lawhorn, Mark Denman Elem, Danville
2016 - Mandy Mourer, Northest Magnet Elem, Danville
2015 - Lisa Witsman, Judith Giacoma Elementary, Westville
2014 - Kathy Carmody, East Park Elementary, Danville
2013 - Lisa Unzicker, Northeast Magnet Elem, Danville
2012 - Diana Pratt, Danville Lutheran School, Danville
2011 - Carol Finley, Bismarck-Henning Elem, Bismarck
2010 - Kammie Richter, Oakwood Jr High, Oakwood
Ag in the Classroom is a one of the biggest programs conducted by
Vermilion County Farm Bureau.
Through Ag in the Classroom, teachers have access to free materials, lesson plans, classroom presentations and access to thematic learning kits.