MADISON – Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom is proud to announce the 20252026 Educator Ambassador Team. This group of seven outstanding educators will expand agricultural literacy statewide by sharing best teaching practices, advising on program resources, and supporting professional development for Wisconsin teachers.
The newly expanded team brings together educators from diverse content areas and regions. Three new members add expertise in social studies, family and consumer sciences, and pre-service education:
- Sheila Kroseberg, Waupaca High School – Sheila integrates farm-to-table education into her culinary arts program, developing hands-on labs and embedding agricultural connections through state and national grants and scholarships.
- Kevin Podeweltz, Riverside Elementary School – D.C. Everest – Kevin inspires elementary students with hands-on learning, connecting food, fiber, and fuel to social studies lessons and students’ community and family histories.
- Brooke Wittrock, Pre-service Teacher, University of Wisconsin – River Falls – Brooke brings fresh, innovative approaches to integrating agriculture into core subjects. As a 2025 AITC intern, she led development of the new Read and STEAM lesson plans.
Returning team members include:
- Emily Kamps, Fennimore Elementary School
- Joshua Gonzalez, River Trail School for Agricultural Sciences, Milwaukee
- Mary Cooper, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Richland Center
- Travis Sprague, Medford High School
Team members were selected for their experience with AITC programs, dedication to professional growth, and commitment to helping students explore agriculture across subjects.
“Our Educator Ambassadors create a community of teachers advancing agricultural literacy,” said Beth Schaefer, Wisconsin AITC Coordinator. “We’re excited to expand the program, incorporate more curriculum areas and provide teacher-led opportunities for sharing lessons and professional development.”
The team began training in August, developing a calendar of workshops, planning a new virtual professional development program and providing feedback on new lesson resources. Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, members will lead workshops, share lesson ideas through free virtual sessions and meet quarterly to guide AITC programming
Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program is designed to help K-12 students understand the importance of agriculture. The program is coordinated by Wisconsin Farm Bureau in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with funding from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, other agricultural groups and a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Learn more at wisagclassroom.org.
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