After nearly 25 years of teaching agriculture, Ms. Kristi Thompson has seen countless students discover their passions, develop leadership skills, and find new ways to serve others. Now, her dedication to agriculture education and the Greenville FFA program is being recognized at the state level.

Thompson, Greenville High School agriculture teacher and Greenville FFA sponsor, was named the Area 5 Experienced Teacher of the Year by the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT), earning her a spot as one of 12 finalists selected from across the state.

The ATAT Experienced Teacher of the Year award recognizes agriculture educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, leadership within their FFA programs, and a commitment to serving students and their communities.

For Thompson, the recognition represents more than an individual accomplishment. It represents the work of an entire program.

“I take it more as the Ag teachers that I work with see the good things that we’re doing,” Thompson said. “It’s not just me, it takes an entire chapter to do it.”

Thompson’s connection to agriculture began long before she stepped into a classroom. She started showing animals in third grade and participated in 4-H and FFA throughout high school before earning her agriculture education degree from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University.

She began her teaching career at North Shore High School in Houston before spending three years at Wiley High School. She has spent the past 17 years serving Greenville ISD and will begin her 18th year with the district this fall.

Throughout her career, Thompson has taught a wide range of agriculture courses, including livestock production, small animal management, equine science, floral design, horticulture, landscaping, and practicum of agriculture.

Today, the Greenville High School agriculture program continues to grow, with 476 students enrolled in agriculture courses last year, along with approximately 170 middle school students participating in the program.

That growth has also been accompanied by student success. Last year, 11 Greenville FFA students earned their Lone Star Degrees, the highest degree a Texas FFA member can receive at the state level. The Greenville FFA chapter was also recognized as a Gold Rated Chapter, one of the highest chapter rankings in Texas based on student leadership, community service, and chapter activities.

One of the areas Thompson is most proud of is the way Greenville FFA students give back to their community. Through initiatives like blessing boxes placed throughout Greenville, students are helping provide essential items and resources to families in need.

“We have a huge community that supports our program,” Thompson said. “So I’m always harping on the kids and telling them, as much as we can give back, we need to.”

Greenville FFA currently helps maintain six blessing boxes throughout the community and supports filling 11 total locations. Students also participate in food drives and other service projects that make a difference for local families.

This year, the program is expanding its efforts with the addition of a giving fridge at Greenville High School. Through a grant received last year, students will help create a space where unused cafeteria items such as milk and fruit can be made available for students who may need them.

Thompson is looking forward to another successful year for Greenville FFA, especially with a new group of student officers ready to continue growing the program and additional staff support helping meet the increased interest in agriculture education.

For Thompson, the greatest reward continues to be watching students grow through agriculture and FFA.

The ATAT recognition is a celebration of the time, dedication, and heart she has poured into her students, but it also reflects the impact of an entire Greenville FFA family committed to leadership, service, and making a difference.