Phone: (910) 532-6300 ext 38847

Email: bsimonson@sampson.k12.nc.us

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

OFFICE LOCATION: Virtually or via phone

I graduated from Union HS in 2016 before attending Sampson Community College where I received Associate Degrees in Applied Animal Science (2018) and Agribusiness Technology (2020). I transferred to NC State University where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Education with a minor in Animal Science. After graduating from NCSU, I worked in industry at Schindler Elevator Corp before moving on to teach Agriculture at East Bladen HS in Elizabethtown, NC. I worked there until I had the opportunity to teach at Union HS in 2022. Along with this, I am an Adjunct professor at Sampson CC in the Animal Science/Agribusiness Technology program.

I also have the following certifications which relate to my field of work:

• NC Professional Educator’s License (Agricultural Education (6-12))

• North Carolina Hunter Education Instructor

• North Carolina Range Safety Officer

• OSHA General Industry Safety and Health certification

• North Carolina Beef Quality Assurance Certification

• Type A Animal Waste Management Systems Operator Certification

• Briggs and Stratton Basic Small Engine Mechanic Certification

I teach the following courses here at Union HS:

• Agricultural Mechanics I

  • Covers basic aspects of mechanics:

    • Mechanical theory

    • Safety

    • Basic Carpentry

    • Basic Electrical

    • Basic Metal Fabrication

• Agricultural Mechanics II

  • Builds on the knowledge students learned in Ag Mech I:

    • Shop Safety

    • Basic Small Engine Mechanics

    • Welding

    • Basic Plumbing

    • Basic Masonry

    • Vehicle/Equipment Operation/Maintenance

• Agriscience Applications

  • Is the introduction to all agricultural educations courses:

    • Basics of FFA

    • Public Speaking

    • Basics of Animal Science

    • Basics of Horticulture

    • Basics of Agricultural Mechanics

• Agricultural Advanced Studies

  • Allows students the opportunity to learn through the completion of advanced projects.

    • *Availability of this class is determined by the instructor.

• Animal Science I

  • Teaches the basics of animal management and care:

    • FFA History

    • Basic Animal Care

    • Animal Terminology

    • Basic Animal Physiology

All of the classes that I teach here at UHS are based on the 3-Circle Model found in Agricultural Education and the FFA Organization.

This model is used to help students learn in various ways ensuring that each student has the opportunity to learn the content as much as possible. The 3 different sections of this model include:

• Classroom Instruction

  • This is the portion where students are in the classroom or in a lab (the shop, farm, greenhouse, etc) learning the material and doing assignments related to the content learned.

• FFA Leadership

  • This portion is where students practice what they learn in class and in their SAE projects in events/competitions against other FFA members from across the state.

• Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

  • This portion is where students practice what they learn in class outside of school towards a project. This can relate to anything ag related (from taking care of pets and working at McDonalds to working on a farm) but is used to let students gain experience in different activities and giving them physical examples of what they learn in class.