Chester County High School Agriculture Science teacher Stephanie Hatch was named the WBBJ Educator of the Week Oct. 31. Hatch was surprised with the announcement Friday, and said she is proud to be chosen out of so many other deserving educators. She was nominated for the honor by a former student. “It’s been a really positive experience,” she said. Now in her 24th year, Hatch began teaching at Chester County Junior High School, and then transitioned to the high school 13 years ago. Hatch’s approach to teaching is to get her students talking and to show them what role agriculture plays in their everyday lives. “I love discussions,” she said, “anything I can make applicable to their lives is to me the most important...It’s important for them to know it’s not all about farmers, agriculture is for everybody...We can all be agriculturalists.” Hatch concluded by expressing gratitude toward her own teacher and mentor, Sandra Highers, whose example influenced Hatch to seek a career in education. Photo by Holly Roeder, Independent
