Page 12 - Mid Valley Times 8:1:19 E-edition

Orosi High teacher de Jong serves at National Agriscience Teach Academy
Thursday, August 1, 2019
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Mid Valley TiMes
Contributed
Kelsey de Jong, agri- science teacher at Orosi High School, successfully completed the 17th annu- al National Agriscience Teach Ambassador Academy held July 17 through 22 in Lexington, Ky. She joined other 407 outstanding agriscience teachers from across the country who have earned that title.
“Getting selected as a National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador has been a highlight of my ca- reer,” de Jong said. “I was pushed out of my comfort zone as a student and a teacher more than I ever could have imagined.”
The National Agri- science Teacher Ambas- sador Academy is a pro- fessional development in- stitute sponsored by Cor- teva AgriScienceTM and managed by the National Association of Agricul- tural Educators. The process and selection to becoming an agriscience ambassador is rigorous, with a limited number of openings each year to complete the process. Those selected become ambassador candidates, who attend the academy
Kelsey de Jong
in Tulsa to learn about inquiry- based teaching methods as well as how to draw
out the science that is already present in many agriculture topics. Those who successfully com- plete the academy will be designated as Nation- al Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors.
The academy’s hands- on approach is designed to energize teachers and make them comfortable enriching their classes when they return home.
“I’m excited to im- plement the strategies that I learned into my classroom and continue to learn from and teach other agriculture educa- tions about inquiry-based learning,” de Jong said.
By emphasizing sci- ence, NATAA helps teachers create learning environments that pre- pare students for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math- ematics) careers, a field that is currently in high demand.
Mike Nemeth / Mid Valley Times
ACaliforniaHighwayPatrolofficialssnappedaphotoofoneofthevehiclesinvolvedina fatalcrashonHighway180 near Rio Vista Avenue northeast of Sanger on July 29.
CRASH
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the driver of the 2004 Trailblazer suffered moderate injuries, ac- cording to the California Highway Patrol.
The accident was reported to emergency dispatch about 12:42 p.m. and also involved a third ve- hicle, a burgundy Honda Accord. The driver of the Honda was un- injured. California Highway Pa- trol officer Mike Salas said she was following the white Explorer when it was hit and drove off the road onto the steep embankment to avoid the collision.
The highway was closed for several hours as firefighters, of- ficers and other rescue personnel sought to help survivors and later to piece together what happened.
The Trailblazer, which was gray, had been heading west- bound and ended up on the em- bankment not far from the Hon- da. It had spun around and was
facing eastbound. The Explorer, which the victim had been riding in, was headed eastbound and re- mained on the narrow highway surrounded by debris from the accident. Its entire front end col- lapsed from the impact.
Salas said initial investigation showed the westbound Trailblaz- er crossed the center line and struck the Explorer in the east- bound lane. "The car did cross over into the other lane," he said. Jose F. Martinez, 40, of Selma and identified as the driver of the Trailblazer, was arrested at the hospital on charges of felony driving under the influence.
Salas said the investigation will continue. California High- way Patrol officials later identi- fied the driver of the Explorer as Jose Sandoval, 58, of Fresno. With Sandoval were three pas- sengers. The two survivors have been identified as Yesenia Mon- talvo, 21, of Fresno, and Jose Sandoval Jr., 25, of Fresno. Rosa-
rio Montalvo, the woman killed, was sitting in the front passen- ger seat, a CHP report said.
The accident occurred just east of Vulcan Materials Co. ag- gregate plant and Builders Con- crete batch plant where the high- way begins to curve.
Jackie Frantz, who lives in nearby Pierce's Park camp- ground, said there was some confusion over exactly what hap- pened. She didn't see the impact. "But I heard it," she said. "(It was) loud."
The highway has been under construction and is expected to be complete sometime next year. At that spot, it will be expanded into four lanes. The improvement stretches just beyond Frankwood Avenue to the east.
One woman in the park, who asked not to be identified, said drivers routinely drive too fast for conditions on the road. Oth- er lives have been lost on the stretch just east of Centerville.
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