In honor of CTE month (February), PCPS would like to highlight the CTE teachers throughout our division! In each highlight, you will learn about the courses they teach, their years of experience in and out of the classroom, what drew them to teaching and the cool projects their CTE classes are completing! To them, we say "thank you" for all that you do each day to bring Career and Technical Education alive for our students!
Ken Mathews - Page County High School
Intro to Animal Systems Livestock Production Management Equine
Management Small Animal Care Intro to Plant Systems
Years of Experience - 2 teaching, 15 in the agriculture industry
What drew you to teaching?
I had always thought about a teaching career but wanted to stay in
industry. I was approached at a stockmen's contest that I helped run about
taking over for a teacher that was leaving and I took the opportunity. I worked
closely with Virginia Cooperative Extension and their youth programming before
becoming a teacher. Those experiences showed me that I would enjoy working with
youth and seeing them grow through the program.
What's your favorite thing about teaching?
I enjoy working with students and seeing them excel in class,
competitions, and FFA. I grew up on working farm and have always had a passion
for Agriculture. I enjoy getting to share that passion with the future
generation.
What project(s) are you most proud of so far this year?
This year we have the opportunity to raise livestock on the campus here
at school. We raised two young does and then sold them to a local producer here
in Page County. We are currently raising and finishing out a steer that we hope
to sell or raffle toward the end of the school year. This will be a well fed
grain finished product that should make tasty meals for someone. We also have
an active Livestock Judging Team that is currently traveling and competing in
competitions across the state.