For Tre Easterly, NC State was a place where connection, independence and new perspectives helped shape his path as an agricultural educator. Now an associate professor of agricultural education at the University of Florida, Easterly draws on the experiences and mentorship he received at NC State as he prepares future agricultural educators and supports agriculture teachers across Florida.
Easterly knew NC State was the right place to prepare for a career in agricultural education. His first connections with agricultural and extension education faculty came through his involvement in NC FFA. Through those experiences, he saw firsthand the faculty’s commitment to students and their expertise, which allowed him to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 2008.
During his time at NC State, Easterly also learned to view agriculture and education from new perspectives. Moving four hours away from home gave him the opportunity to become more independent and build a professional network in a new environment. He met people who broadened his perspective personally and professionally and encouraged him to think beyond his experiences as a high school student and FFA member.
“I remember specific moments when my perspective switched from thinking like a high school student and FFA member to thinking like a teacher and FFA advisor because the faculty pushed me to think about things in new ways,” Easterly said.
Several NC State faculty members played important roles in shaping Easterly’s career, including Beth Wilson, Barry Croom, Gary Moore and Barbara Kirby. One classroom experience with Wilson was particularly memorable. During a teaching demonstration on inquiry-based instruction using white and orange pumpkins, Easterly became captivated by the approach and inspired to incorporate inquiry-based learning into his own teaching.
The experience helped shape his approach to agricultural education and reinforced the importance of instruction that engages students, encourages curiosity and creates meaningful learning experiences.
Today, Easterly’s position combines teaching, Extension and research. Although each area of his work serves a different purpose, they share a common goal: helping educators create effective learning experiences for their students.
Easterly teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on planning effective instruction. He also oversees student teaching and serves as the teacher education coordinator, allowing him to work closely with future agricultural educators as they prepare to enter the classroom.
Through his Extension appointment, Easterly supports agriculture teachers across Florida by providing curriculum resources and professional development opportunities. That work includes the Gator Agriscience Teacher Academy, a summer program that gives agriculture teachers opportunities to discover new teaching strategies and explore hands-on approaches they can bring back to their classrooms.
His research complements his teaching and Extension work by examining how teachers plan instruction and how resources can be designed to better support that process.
“From teaching students how to plan meaningful instruction, designing resources that give teachers good ideas for teaching, to conducting research on how we can design these resources,” Easterly said, “it is my role to help teachers plan for meaningful learning so their students can achieve positive outcomes.”
For Easterly, each part of his position ultimately comes back to supporting educators and their students. Some days, he is teaching future educators. On others, he is working alongside agriculture teachers or conducting research to better understand their needs. Across his work, he values the relationships he has built with undergraduate and graduate students, teachers across the country and faculty members around the world.
Looking ahead, Easterly plans to continue his work at the University of Florida and contribute to the advancement of agricultural education. He hopes to continue supporting agriculture teachers throughout Florida, while preparing future educators to create engaging, effective learning experiences for their students.
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