Randy Vlasin named Nebraska’s Ag Educator of Year

    The Nebraska FFA Foundation, Nebraska Agricultural Education Association and Nationwide recognized Randy Vlasin of Imperial, the just-retired Hayes Center agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, as Nebraska’s first Golden Owl Award winner and Outstanding Agricultural Educator of the Year
    The award was announced at the Nebraska Career Education Conference June 7 in Kearney.
    Ag educators play a vital role in their communities, dedicating countless hours to equip students for fulfilling careers and helping them follow their interests.
    This year marks the first Golden Owl Award to be given in Nebraska. Nationwide established the award in 2018 to recognize outstanding teachers across several states.
    After he was named one of six finalists, a selection committee chose Vlasin the winner and he was presented with a $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to reward him for his service.
    Vlasin is retiring after investing 34 years in teaching.
    His first teaching job was at Wilber-Clatonia after he was hired mid-year in January 1982 and taught until July 1983.
    That’s when he accepted the ag education/FFA advisor position in Imperial, continuing at Chase County Schools until 2006, when he left education for private business.
    After 8 years, he returned to teaching at Hayes Center in 2014 and finished his career there this spring.
    Hayes Center is one of the smallest FFA chapters in the state, with 24 students.
    Vlasin has been quick to remind his students that, “It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight. It’s about the size of the fight in the dog. It’s about what you want to achieve.”
    Students lived out this analogy as competitors at state and national competitions, proving that they, too, can succeed despite their size.
    Vlasin has only retired from teaching. He has accepted a position with Frenchman Valley Coop that will focus on recruitment.
    Vlasin said it’s nice to be recognized by his peers.
    “But, there were five other really good ag teachers as finalists, too,” he said.
    “There are a lot of good teachers out there just as deserving as me,” he said.
    “It’s a nice way to end my teaching career,” he added.
    One of Vlasin’s favorite things about having been an ag teacher and FFA advisor has been watching students succeed, whether it is in the classroom or in a competition.
    “Watching a student grow over their time in the program and become who they were meant to be has been very rewarding,” he said.
    As a teacher, he believes his job has been to offer opportunities for students to create success for themselves.
    “For over the past 30 years Randy Vlasin has been a leader in Nebraska agriculture education and FFA. He is known as one of the most competent educators in supporting students’ FFA leadership and community involvement,” said Stacey Agnew, Executive Director of the Nebraska FFA Foundation.
    “He understands the dynamics of preparing students for careers in agriculture, especially in rural Nebraska. Likewise, he shares his wisdom as a mentor and thought leader for all of agriculture education and FFA in Nebraska,” she said.
    Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 last year, the Nebraska FFA Foundation, NAEA and Nationwide collected nominations for Nebraska’s top agricultural teachers from students, parents and community members across the state.
    Other finalists were Amanda Hafer, Lutheran High Northeast; Ashtyn Vivion, Alliance; Brent Nollette, Valentine; Chad Schimmels, Eustis-Farnam; and Robyn Graham, Humphrey.
    Outside of the classroom, Vlasin likes spending time outdoors with his family, especially his grandchildren. When he has the chance, he also enjoys traveling with his wife, Donna.
    A news release from the Nebraska FFA Foundation was also used to compile this story.