2023-2024 Master's Cohort
Check out this year's cohort below. Our cohort members come from various academic backgrounds and are sprinkled across Oregon for student teaching. Each year, the cohort members enter as colleagues and leave as friends!
Jessica Barnett
Student Teaching: Benton County 4-H, Corvallis, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences
Jessica Barnett is a graduate student in the Oregon State University Agricultural Education master’s program. Although she did not grow up in Oregon, her last few years working at the OSU Soap Creek Beef Ranch led her to an ever-growing passion for promoting agriculture through education. She hopes to continue to serve the state and its communities as an extension agent. In her limited spare time, Jessica and her partner, Nate, can be found exploring new trails with their dog, Frankie.
Katelyn Bauman
Student Teaching: Crater High School, Central Point, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences, with a minor in Agricultural Education
In 2020, Katelyn left Eastern Washington for Western Oregon's Corban University, marking the start of her higher education journey. A year later, she transferred to Oregon State University, driven by her passion for agriculture. At OSU, she immersed herself in the academic world while working at the OSU Research Dairy Center and taking on a leadership role as secretary of the Collegiate Farm Bureau. What set her OSU experience apart was the meaningful connections she formed with fellow students and professors who shared her background and interests.
Katelyn finds joy in cooking, running (fueled by her love for food), hiking, and paddleboarding in her spare time. She's also an avid dog-watcher and a constant admirer of Oregon's breathtaking agricultural landscapes.
Looking forward, Katelyn eagerly anticipates her student teaching assignment at Crater High School in Southern Oregon. This opportunity promises fresh challenges and a chance to deepen her passion for agriculture while gaining valuable teaching insights.
Sydney Elizalde
Student Teaching: Hidden Valley High School, Grants Pass, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences
Hailing from the picturesque town of Myrtle Point on Oregon's South Coast, Sydney has deep rural roots. Her upbringing involved active participation in 4-H and FFA, focusing on raising steers and swine. During high school, Sydney served as an FFA chapter officer for two years, solidifying her passion for agriculture. Myrtle Point's strong ties to the timber industry and its proximity to dairy and beef cattle farms provided Sydney with a rich agricultural backdrop. Her academic journey began at Eastern Oregon University, where she was part of a sister program with Oregon State and completed her Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Science in Corvallis.
Sydney enjoys outdoor activities like swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding during the summer and embracing the natural beauty of her surroundings.
Sam Ellis
Student Teaching: Mohawk High School, Marcola, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences, with a minor in Animal Sciences
Sam is a graduate student pursuing her Ag Ed master's degree at Oregon State University. She calls Pleasant Hill and Creswell in the Willamette Valley home. In 2022, she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Science with a Minor in Animal Science at Oregon State University.
Raised in a farming environment, Sam has a long history with agriculture, starting with market animal projects in 4-H and FFA during her youth and later expanding into open youth livestock groups. Her passion for beef cattle has remained steadfast, evolving into a full-fledged herd and a thriving business. When not in class, she can usually be found tending to her cows.
Sarah Finch
Student Teaching: Mountain View High School, Bend, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural and Environmental Education
Sarah Finch is originally from Ojai, California. She completed her undergraduate degree in Agricultural and Environmental Education from the University of California, Davis in 2023. During her undergraduate time at UC Davis, Sarah was kept busy as a teaching assistant for Introduction to Welding classes and as a member of the Equestrian team. Sarah is thrilled to be a part of the master’s program at Oregon State University and looks forward to learning from teachers, colleagues, and students from across the state.
Turner Lear
Student Teaching: Joseph Charter School, Joseph, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences and Animal Sciences
Turner graduated from Oregon State University with a double major in Agricultural Sciences and Animal Sciences. Raised in the Willamette Valley of Oregon as an 8th-generation farmer, the agricultural industry has always been a passion for him. Born into a line of teachers, it was only natural that he decided to pursue teaching as a career. Valuing connection and engagement, he hopes to provide his future students opportunities to explore and find their own passions within the broad industry of agriculture. Turner can usually be found outside working with his livestock or hanging out with his plethora of dogs.
Anne Nichols
Student Teaching: Molalla High School, Molalla, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences, with a minor in Agricultural Education
Anne Nichols is from Lebanon, Oregon, where she grew up on her family's sheep operation. Before pursuing her Master's in Agricultural Education, Anne completed her undergraduate degree at Oregon State in Agricultural Sciences with a minor in Agricultural Education. Prior to attending OSU, she received her associate degree in Agricultural Sciences from Linn-Benton Community College, where she was an active member of the livestock judging team. Anne spends most of her free time in the barn and enjoys working with 4-H and FFA members, especially with their sheep and goat projects! When she's not in the barn, you can find her cooking, baking, or spending time with friends and family.
RaeAan Rhodes
Student Teaching: Dufur School, Dufur, OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences, with a minor in Agricultural Education
RaeAan was born and raised in Parkdale, OR, a small orcharding community on the base of Mt. Hood. In high school, she joined the Hood River FFA Chapter, where she discovered her love for floriculture, soil sciences, and agriculture. She continued onto Linn Benton Community College for two years, where she studied Agricultural Sciences in a dual enrollment partnership with Oregon State University. In 2023, RaeAan earned her B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from OSU, with a minor in Agricultural Education. Throughout the past three years, she has worked as an instructional assistant and substitute paraprofessional for grades PreK- 12 in both the Hood River and Philomath County school districts. RaeAan makes frequent trips home to visit her dad and sister and enjoys working on embroidery in her free time. She is also an avid gardener and is currently growing a small orchard of avocado trees from seed in her home!
Hope Stansell
Student Teaching: McKay High School, Salem OR
Undergraduate Degree: Agricultural Sciences, with minors in Agricultural Education, Animal Sciences, and Leadership
Originally from North Plains, Oregon, Hope completed her undergraduate studies at Oregon State University, majoring in Agricultural Sciences and minoring in Agricultural Education, Animal Sciences, and Leadership. During her undergraduate years, Hope proudly served as a College of Agriculture Ambassador and was an active member of organizations like the Steer-A-Year Club and Sigma Alpha, the sorority dedicated to professional women in agriculture.
Her agricultural journey began early in life. In kindergarten, she started 4-H with pygmy goats and various static projects. In high school, she fell in love with FFA while raising two pet sheep, which cemented her passion for the field.
When not immersed in her agricultural pursuits, she enjoys the great outdoors through fishing and hiking. Indoors, she channels her creativity into crocheting and enjoys the company of her two cats.