By CAITLIN HOFEN, Features Editor
The National FFA Convention in Indianapolis saw one of Northwestern’s own cross its stage.
Jack Staats, instructor of agriculture at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, was awarded a VIP Citation during the convention on Oct. 29.
The VIP Citation honors individuals who have committed 20 years of service to FFA and agricultural education on a national level.
They are dedicated to student success through cooperation and hard work.
“I was very shocked to hear I was receiving the award, but humbled,” Staats said. “I know the state of Oklahoma FFA board applied for me to receive that award. I thank the support staff who have given me the opportunity to accomplish more than I ever could have by myself.”
A Laverne native, Staats grew up in northwest Oklahoma. He attended both Panhandle State University and Oklahoma State University, majoring in agricultural education.
Staats began his teaching career in Freedom, where he taught from 1973 to 1976.
Following a year of teaching in Buffalo, he began his long career in Alva Public Schools, where he was the agricultural education instructor from 1977 to 2007.
While teaching in Alva, Staats pursued a master’s degree in education, making him a Northwestern alumnus as well.
In 2007, Staats made another career change and became the program manager and Oklahoma FFA adviser for the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech.
During this time, Staats served as the president of the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education in 2013-2014.
He was named Outstanding NASAE National State Supervisor in 2016.
In 2020, Staats made yet another career change, this time leading him back home.
“I was retiring and planning to move back to Alva,” Staats said. “I felt drawn to come back to the classroom. I was offered a teaching position at Northwestern, which I hadn’t really considered doing before. I’m so glad I accepted because it has been great.
“I tell people I probably enjoy it more than the students do. I had been out of the classroom for 13 years, and I really missed it. I missed the opportunity to have daily interaction with students.”
As a recipient of the VIP Citation, Staats was recognized for his work in the FFA organization and the dedication he has had.
“I was very happy to know the award comes from the National FFA,” Staats said. “But it makes me happier to know the nomination comes from the state leadership. It means more to me to know my state association and the people I had daily interactions with, have thought enough of me to offer me up for the nomination.”
As long as Staats teaches at Northwestern, he said he wants to continue impacting students’ lives and being a positive force for education.
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll teach,” Staats said. “I want to make sure I do not teach longer than I’m effective. If I stay motivated, and I still bring the energy I want to bring to the classroom, then I may do it for a while longer. But the students deserve the best I can give.”