Dual Passions, One Purpose: Wylie East Junior Grows Young Minds in Agriculture

At just 17 years old, Wylie East High School junior Grace Evans is already mastering two callings. Through dual pathways in agriculture and education, she is cultivating not only livestock and leadership skills, but also the hearts and minds of young learners.

As part of National FFA Week, she blended her two passions into a meaningful experience. Evans visited Cox Elementary to read a story about farm animals to kindergarteners. She stood before them with the confidence of a seasoned educator.

As she instructed two classes of young learners to gather on the reading rug, her voice was steady and assured. The students responded instantly, settling in with full attention. She began by telling the kindergarteners about herself and why she was wearing FFA official dress.

“I have a pig and two lambs, and they’re my bestest friends,” Evans told the students, sparking excited chatter. “That’s why I’m here to talk to you today, about them, because they are so cool!”

Moments later, she had the students giggling, listening, and participating as she read Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Farm aloud to the class.

She read to Cox kindergarten teachers Isabella Mendez’s and Arielle Ayala’s classes, weaving personal stories about her animals into the book and asking questions that kept every child engaged. Ayala noted how naturally she commanded the classroom, not through authority, but through connection.

“Grace was a natural with our youngest learners!” Ayala said. “Her patience and kindness shone, and she was easily able to keep the class engaged. Grace has a bright future ahead of her. It was a real treat to have her visit!”

A Calling Rooted in Childhood

Evans’ dream of teaching began in kindergarten.

“From a young age, I wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

Evans credits her own kindergarten teacher, Ms. Holder at Akin Elementary, and her mother, also an educator, for inspiring her to pursue the WEteach, Education & Training pathway.

Evans (in the orange dress) with her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Holder, at Akin Elementary.

“I’ve been in both pathways at East, education and agriculture, for all four years.”

She is currently the treasurer of the Wylie East FFA chapter, shows lambs and pigs, and competes in agricultural LDE (Leadership Development Events). Her participation in the agriculture pathway has given her the skills that have also benefited her in her education pathway.

“Teaching children helps me incorporate what I’ve learned in public speaking,” Evans said. “Public speaking makes me not feel so intimidated or scared when I work with children. Kids are truthful and honest. As a teacher, you need to be able to communicate, and you need to be passionate about kids.”

Teaching Agriculture, Leading with Purpose

Evans doesn’t just learn about ag in her Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources pathway; she teaches it. She is already using skills she gained in the Education & Training pathway to take over lessons in the Principles of Agriculture class. Evans has taught the intro class lessons she developed on livestock species vocabulary and dairy cattle breeds, complete with activities, slides, and standards-aligned objectives.

“Grace is very passionate about ag,” Agriculture Science teacher Kassi Klakamp said. “She is a nice, welcoming face for anyone who is willing to hear about agriculture from her. The natural ability she has for teaching others is something even I look up to her for.”

Evans teaches the Principles of Agriculture class a lesson on livestock vocabulary.

Next, Evans plans to teach a unit on agricultural management and professional communication to her peers.

Through TAFE, Evans further refines her instructional skills. Last year, she was a national champion in TAFE’s Exploring Administration Careers and will compete at the state level this weekend in Lesson Plan and Delivery.

“Already as a junior in high school, she demonstrates advanced instructional strategies as well as a gift for building relationships with students,” her Education & Training teacher, Jill Hill, said.

Evans has spent countless hours with her classmates and teachers preparing for TAFE contests. Her favorite part of the organization is the strong relationships she’s formed.

“These people love you so much, Mrs. Hill, Ms. Whitney, and the other competitors have so much love for you,” Evans said. “We prepared for long hours, during lunches; just practicing so much, we spent so much time together that we became family.”

Learning by Doing

Her education practicum pathway has given her real-world experience. At the beginning of the school year, she served as a PE intern at Watkins Elementary. She now assists in third grade at Akin Elementary, where she has conducted read-alouds, mini-lessons, and thematic activities.

“I take what I learn in my classes and throw it into what I do at Akin,” she said. “I incorporated instructional practices and the Fundamental Five into my lessons, all those amazing practices we hope to have as teachers.”

A Lifestyle, Not Just a Program

For Evans, agriculture is more than coursework; it is a way of life.

“The dedication and time it takes to show animals at our level is what stands out the most,” Evans said. “The late nights at the barn with your friends, you learn so much from your animals. They are like children. I make sure they are fed, bathed, and well taken care of.”

She believes National FFA Week, recognized annually in February, highlights agriculture’s foundational role in society and the life skills it fosters.

“It’s hard to teach the day-to-day life of ag, but the activities we do this week show people the side of ag they don’t think about,” Evans said. “It teaches you how to public speak, explain your story, and understand your peers better. It’s a lifestyle more welcoming than you can ever aspire to have.”

A Future Rooted in Service

Evans’ ultimate goal is to become a teacher. She hopes to major in agricultural communications and pursue a teaching certification, with dreams of attending Oklahoma State University or Angelo State University.

“I’d like to teach principles of agriculture and livestock production as a high school ag teacher,” she said. “I will probably major in agricultural communications and maybe even possibly pursue teaching English.”

Evans also hopes her journey shows younger students that they don’t have to choose between passions.

“I want kids to know how you can make dual endorsements work,” she said. “If you have something you’re passionate about, it is possible to pursue two passions.”

A Leader in the Making

Those who have seen Evans in action say her future is bright. 

“Grace is an exceptional student and a gifted teacher,” Hill said. “Her commitment to both education and agriculture is to be celebrated. Seeing her blend her two passions together has been such a joy!”

Klakamp is proud to have Evans represent the Wylie East FFA chapter.

“She is such a strong personality in all the right ways,” Klakamp said. “She adapts to her audience, making it easy for her to say what she wants. From rocking it in her TAFE competitions to dominating the show ring, Grace is always willing to step up and help others be just as great as she is. I cannot wait to see where her two passions take her in life.”

As Evans closed the book and the kindergarteners eagerly shared stories about their own animals, it was clear they had witnessed more than a read-aloud. They had seen a future educator in action.