By Millie Beland
After nineteen years of teaching at North Clay, agriculture teacher Terry Branch joined Flora High School in the 2017-2018 school year.
Mr. Branch grew up on a farm with his family, where he helped his dad with their cattle and grow crops. Mr. Branch went to Salem High School, he enjoyed all all of his classes especially agriculture. While enrolled at SHS he participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA.) Branch stated “I had a teacher that I had for Ag. As the years went on the teacher influenced me with Ag. That’s when I knew I wanted to teach Ag.”
After graduating high school, Branch attended the University of Illinois, studying Agriculture Education. He then graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree.
“After college I started my teaching career at Pontiac High School in Pontiac, Michigan. I then transferred to Red Hill. I also taught at Lawrenceville after Red Hill. I became part of Spartans at Waltonville High School for four years. When I decided to move closer to home I decided to move to North Clay and teach for twelve years. After teaching for twelve years at North Clay, I decided a change of scenery and start teaching here at FHS. FHS has been a great opportunity for me to work in two of the Ag programs,” Branch stated.
While teaching he has had many memorable moments, but there is one moment that is the most memorable of all. “My favorite moment is when I was teaching a welding class, and a student caught on fire. Of course I helped the student, when I made sure the student wasn’t hurt the student and I both laughed because it was so funny how the student screamed.”
When Branch joined FHS he received news that he would be teaching a class about woodshop. He has stated that he enjoys demonstrating to the students the proper way to use tools and construct projects with wood.
“When I look back on my life, I don’t regret choosing this as my occupation. I am very happy with my choice of my future,” Branch stated.