Schools

Saline Teacher Receives National Award

David Mellor has taught Saline-area middle and high school students more than 20 years, focusing on agriculture and natural resources.

- Submitted by the Michigan Farm Bureau

Saline agriscience instructor and FFA advisor David Mellor was awarded an Honorary American FFA Degree at the 85th National FFA Convention, Oct. 24-27 in Indianapolis. Honorary degrees are FFA's highest honor, awarded to individuals "who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment."

Teachers receiving the award must have been actively teaching for 10 years, have 85 percent or more students active in their FFA program and have created a high-quality agricultural education program to inspire and motivate students to strive for success. Members of the national FFA board of directors selected the recipients.

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Mellor has taught Saline-area middle and high school students more than 20 years, focusing on agriculture and natural resources through classroom instruction, aquaculture learning labs, landscape and wetlands restoration and other projects. He has contributed to the development of his students' problem-solving and leadership skills through analysis of agriculture and natural resource issues and participation in FFA skills contest and career development events.

He was honored by the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau as its educator of the year in 2010 and received an Honorary Michigan FFA Degree in 2003. The Michigan Association of School Boards also named Mellor's program Michigan's best science program of 2010.

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"FFA works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education," said Dave Wyrick, executive secretary for the Michigan FFA Association. "Without the efforts of outstanding instructors and advisors like Mr. Mellor, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well-being of our state and nation.

"The Honorary American FFA Degree recognizes those who have made an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturalists."

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, FFA provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 540,000 student members in grades 7-12. Its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.


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