Ag Journeys
Celia Graef
Hometown: State College, PA
Major: Agricultural and Extension Education (Environmental Science Focus)
Minor: Entomology, Biology, International Agriculture
Clubs: Entomology Graduate Student Association (undergraduate representative), Penn State Beekeepers Club (secretary)
Good at: Playing piano, guitar, and accordion; cooking dishes with lots of veggies (especially in the summer when I can grow them); mending clothes to give them new life and make them last as long as possible; hiking; backpacking; skiing; kayaking; climbing trees; playing skee-ball (high score: 460)
There’s always something to do.
“My mom and dad work and teach at Penn State and my big brother and sister are alumni. I’m the baby of a Penn State family. What do I tell Penn Staters new to the area? It’s the best of all worlds. You are just a few hours from five major cities. There is infinite forest land to explore. There’s the annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts over the summer and countless other great events throughout the year. There’s always something to do.”
Coming out of my shell.
“Before Penn State, I would have told you I’m an introvert. But then I got to know people from all over the world through different organizations, conferences, classroom and teaching experiences. I have realized how electrified I feel after working with others and sharing personal perspectives. So, it looks like I was wrong. I’m an extrovert.”
Fall in love with local.
“A big part of my teaching philosophy is a concept called place-based education— inspiring students to explore the world starting with their own local environment. My love for the outdoors is at the root of it all. I grew up playing in the mud, looking for salamanders under logs, catching fireflies, and growing an appreciation for the natural world around me, which I want to share with everyone.”
Say it out loud. I’m a teacher!
Agriculture, education, or both.
“I came to college looking for a bio-sciences degree with a focus on insects, but education was on my radar as well. Agricultural and Extension Education, especially with the entomology minor, explores both. Two worlds that I’m passionate about.”
I never wanted to be a teacher—or so I said.
“I was an instructor at ski school, worked with kids at the Shavers Creek Environmental Center, and did my student teaching in rural Pennsylvania. Now I’m off to Ghana… to teach. I am my best self when helping a kid discover the world. So, say it out loud. I’m a teacher! And a good one.”
The greenhouse is such a happy place.
“During ag student teaching, I set up a scavenger hunt in the greenhouse. Clues were tied in with identifying species. One of my students said, ‘This is my first time in a greenhouse. I love it! I’m going to take greenhouse management next year!’ A quiet girl I’d never really connected with said, ‘Do it! The greenhouse is such a happy place.’ That was a big win for me.”
Meet students where they are.
“I did my student teaching in a district in rural Pennsylvania that suffers high poverty and harsh stressors on students and their families. One of the countless lessons I learned was that you’ve got to meet students where they are. Help them find success on their own terms—which might not be the same terms I grew up with. My job was to help them find the tools and ideas they needed to approach life with curiosity and confidence.”
Going to Ghana.
“Next year I’ll be teaching in Ghana as a fellow through the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program. We’ll be setting up Ag Ed programs and working alongside Ghanian science teachers. I’m nervous, curious, and out of my mind with excitement.”