Welcome!

 I'm So Happy You Are Here!

Hello! My name is Nicolette Cusate and I am currently a junior majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education at The Pennsylvania State University! Over the next year and a half and beyond, I will be sharing my goals, challenges, learning curves, and victories with all of you as I navigate my journey to become the best agricultural educator I can be for my students!  

 

A Little Bit About Me 

I grew up outside of Berwick, Pennsylvania with my mother, father, and sister. Growing up, I loved to play outside. I had a deep love for nature and was always collecting leaves, rocks, and bugs. My parents bought me educational books to learn about all the things I would find outside. I didn't grow up on a farm, but I knew from a young age that I loved learning about the natural world. I attended Nescopeck Elementary and Berwick Middle School before moving to Danville, Pennsylvania in 2012. 

 

Now, my favorite hobbies are visiting state parks, hiking, and anything crafty. My favorite place to explore is Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. I love to go out on the water whether it’s on a boat or jet ski. I also enjoy creating things with my Cricut cutting machine and acrylic painting.

 

Where It All Began 

After moving to Danville, Pennsylvania, I began my high school career at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School. I had taken an interest in the Agricultural Plant Systems and Technology vocational area where FFA pulled me in and really interested me. One day, my agriculture teacher told me that someone that had signed up could no longer compete in the FFA Creed Speaking LDE. She came to me and asked if I wanted to fill their place and that I had four days to prepare. I studied and learned the FFA Creed and qualified to compete at the 2016 PA FFA State Convention my freshman year.

From there, I was hooked. I loved competing in CDE’s and LDE’s, coordinating events, and helping my FFA chapter in any way I could. I was chapter reporter my sophomore year, vice president my junior year, and president my senior year. In addition to my involvement in Columbia-Montour A.V.T.S. FFA, I also played soccer, was the school yearbook and newspaper editor, anchored our school news announcements, and was active in the National Honors Society. 

I got my Keystone Degree at the 2019 PA Farm Show

 

Why Penn State Agriculture Education? 

Aside from having a fantastic agricultural educator, I knew for a while that I wanted to be a teacher. But where did I start? When I went to the 2016 PA FFA State Convention my freshman year, I visited Penn State’s campus for the first time, and it was love at first sight! I couldn't wait to apply to attend college and get the Penn State experience. But like most people that are interested in education, the bigger question I had to answer was, “What do I want to teach?” The answer turned out to be right under my nose the entire time. During my senior year, my agriculture teacher resigned, and my duties as our chapter president took on a different meaning. I had to step up and lead our chapter through various events while also navigating the adjustment. During this time, organizing events and fundraisers with my FFA chapter and school administration while also helping my peers prepare for the NOCTI exam solidified my interest in agriculture education. I knew then that I wanted to be an agriculture educator! 

 

Where I'm Going From Here 

After I was accepted into Penn State, I moved to Erie, Pennsylvania where I completed the first two years of my degree at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. During my time there I joined a sustainability club called Greener Behrend, director of philanthropy and service for Alpha Sigma Tau, and was secretary for Behrend’s Pennsylvania State Education Association chapter. 

My sister and I at my college orientation

In Fall 2021, I made the move to Penn State University Park! Since the move, I have joined the Leadership, Education, and Development Society and the Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning program in cooperation with the USDA and the University of Idaho. Throughout this semester, I’m excited to be searching for a cooperating center for my student teaching experience in the Spring of 2023. By the end of the semester, I will have officially entered teacher candidacy and have found and been placed with my ideal cooperating center! I am so excited to begin this journey and bring all of you along with me for the ride. Thank you all so much for reading and I look forward to sharing all the adventures finishing my degree will bring! 

Thank you for your support!

Nicolette