Alumni

Education

Ph.D. (2010) Agricultural Education, The Ohio State University
Concentrations: Research, Teacher Education and Interdisciplinary Specialization in College Teaching

M.Ed. (2000) Agricultural Education, The University of Georgia

B.S. (1998) Ornamental Horticulture, Auburn University

Career Experience

University of Kentucky, Assistant Professor—2010 to present
The Ohio State University, Graduate Associate—2007-2010
Union Grove High School, Agricultural Education Instructor, 2004-2007
Newton High School, Agricultural Education Instructor, 2000-2004

Courses Teaching at UK

AED/FCS 362    Field Experience in Career and Technical Education

AED/FCS 583    Designing Curriculum and Assessment in Career and Technical Education

Research Interests

The development and retention of secondary agricultural educators and the assessment of student learning.

Research Journal Articles

Connors, J. J., Falk, J. M., & Epps, R. B. (2010). Recounting the legacy: The history and use of FFA camps for leadership and recreation. Journal of Agricultural Education,51(1).

Other Papers, Posters, and Presentations

Epps, R. B., Foor, R. M., & Cano, J. (2010). Keepers, stayers, leavers, and lovers: Are there teacher efficacy and job satisfaction differences between novice and experienced teachers? Proceedings of the 37th annual National Agricultural Education Research Conference, Omaha, NE.

Epps, R.B., Foor, R. M., & Cano, J.  (2009). Relationship between teacher efficacy and job satisfaction among secondary agricultural educators. Annual North Central American Association of Agricultural Educators Research Conference, Lincoln, NE.

Epps, R. B., Foor, R. M., & Cano, J. (2009). Level of job satisfaction and teacher efficacy among secondary agricultural educators. North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Conference. Stillwater, OK.

Foster, D. D., & Epps, R. B. (2008). Revisiting the senior capstone experience: Developing cooperative professionals Poster Proceedings of the Annual North Central American Association of Agricultural Educators Research Conference. Ithaca, NY, 62-65.

Foor, R., Epps, R., Falk, J., Foster, D., & Simonsen, J. (2008, November/December). Oh, the places you’ll go…and the questions you’ll ask! The Agricultural Education Magazine, 80.

Awards and Honors
           
The Ohio State University
North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Graduate Student Teaching Award, 2010
The Ohio State University Graduate Associate Teaching Award Nominee, 2010
Gamma Sigma Delta Honorary, 2009
J. Robert & Catharine P. Warmbrod Graduate Education and Research Award, 2010
Ralph J. Woodin Graduate Scholarship in Agricultural Education, 2010

Union Grove High School
Teacher of the Year, 2006
Finalist for Henry County, GA 2006 Teacher of the Year
Teacher of the Month, October, 2005; November, 2004

The University of Georgia
Col. Earl Cheek Agriculture Education Scholarship, 2000
College of Education Scholarship, 2000
Kappa Delta Epsilon Educational Honorary, 1999
Alpha Tau Alpha Agriculture Honorary, 1999
Phi Delta Kappa Educational Honorary Candidate, 1999

Auburn University
1997 Young and Adult Farmers Association Agrispokesperson for Alabama
Agriculture Ambassador—Vice President 1996-1997
Agriculture Ambassador of the Year 1996-1997
Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honorary

Membership in Professional Organizations

American Association of Agriculture Educators (AAAE)
Association for Career and Technical Education Research (ACTER)
National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE)
North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)