Ag, WP an easy choice for Engel

There was never any doubt in Tana Engel’s mind that she wanted to teach in a small school.
Engel grew up in Clarks, where her family worked in various aspects of ag, and graduated from High Plains Community Schools in Polk.
While there, Engel says she had an outstanding ag teacher who opened her eyes to all the opportunities there are within agriculture.
“I realized that I never wanted to stop learning about the different areas and that I want to be able to share that knowledge with the younger generation,” she said, as well as showing that ag careers don’t just stop at farming and ranching.
Engel attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in International Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Once finished with her student teaching at Central Valley Public Schools in Greeley, Engel researched and toured the WP communities.
The small town settings, very similar to where she grew up and went to school, and friendliness of everyone she met gave Engel a feeling that she would fit in very well.
“I am excited to be able to build the students’ experiences with the help of this friendly and involved community,” Engel said.
With her FFA background, including her American degree, Engel will be a FFA co-advisor with Rod Gaston.
While in high school FFA she competed in farm and ranch management, vet science, natural resources and speaking events, such as creed speaking.
“Without FFA I wouldn’t have left my small community,” Engel said.
Besides ag classes, Engel will help with Title I math and be the freshmen class sponsor with Colby Cox.