Inspired to teach: Cooney finds her place in agricultural education
After following her own path, Delaney Cooney wants to help the next generation of students find theirs.
Growing up in Columbus, Indiana, Cooney received encouragement from her high school FFA advisor. His guidance helped her recognize her strengths, deepen her devotion to agriculture and pursue career in the field.
“My advisor poured encouragement, care and passion into my FFA experience,” said Cooney. “He created an environment where I could grow professionally, learn more about agriculture and discover the career that suited me.”
Now an agricultural education student at Purdue, Cooney plans to offer future students the same support that shaped her path. She is also pursuing a minor in organizational leadership and a certificate in agricultural leadership and professional development. After graduation, she wants to return to Columbus to teach agriculture at the high school level. She is also considering possible career opportunities with National FFA, Indiana FFA, Indiana Farm Bureau or Purdue Extension.
Finding the right path
Cooney chose Purdue Agriculture so she could learn from both inside and outside the classroom. Guest speakers, hands-on experiences, student organizations and alumni connections all contributed to her choice. What surprised her, however, was the strength of the college’s community.
“Students in Purdue Ag stick together,” Cooney said. “We see each other in classes, club meetings, social gatherings and across campus. There is almost always a familiar face nearby, and that makes it feel a lot like home.”
That community has helped Cooney grow as a leader. She is involved in Purdue Ag Council, Purdue Collegiate Farm Bureau, Purdue Agronomy Club and Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority. Through those organizations, she has formed friendships, attended conferences and helped with contests and events.
Learning to serve every student
One of Cooney’s most meaningful experiences came through a course that placed her in a classroom for English language learners at a local middle school.
Cooney observed the classroom and completed a case study focused on these students’ needs and challenges.
“I became more aware of the challenges these and other students face,” Cooney said. “The experience helped equip me to teach every student who comes into my future classroom.”
Cooney has received extensive support from Purdue faculty members, including Lee Schweitzer, a professor of agronomy, who taught her crop production systems course. Cooney did not grow up on a farm, so some of the material was unfamiliar and challenging. She said Schweitzer made time to answer questions, discuss the material and help her build confidence.
“He never let me feel like I was going to fail,” she said. “He always offered a helping hand and paid attention to where I needed more support.”
These experiences helped Cooney become more adaptable and confident in her communication. They have also strengthened skills she began developing through FFA and 4-H, including organization, problem-solving, critical thinking and leadership.
Preparing to make a difference
As Cooney looks toward her future classroom, she plans to create the supportive environment that helped her discover her strengths.
“Agricultural education is an incredibly rewarding major that opens a lot of doors,” she said. “The opportunities to learn and grow are limitless.”
For Cooney, those opportunities are preparing her to become the kind of educator who encourages students to recognize their potential and imagine where education can take them.
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