Melissa Sleeper

teaches: Science and science/STEAM research; grade 8

experience: 27 years

Growing up, I learned through 4-H projects and FFA programs the value and importance of American agriculture. I majored in Agriculture Economics and worked in agriculture-related jobs in developing countries. Eventually, I went back to school to become a teacher. As a science teacher, I have noticed that students are less and less knowledgeable about where their food comes from—they do not make connections between the food on their plates and how it is produced. I am an enthusiastic educator that feels agriculture is an important part of scientific literacy.