Angleton ISD teacher recognized by Texas Farm Bureau

(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas)—One Texas teacher’s passion for agriculture and science has earned him recognition from the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization.

Dale Hrabovsky was named Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2021 Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher award winner. Hrabovsky was recognized during TFB’s 88th annual meeting Dec. 4 in Corpus Christi.

Hrabovsky teaches biology, IPC, chemistry and animal science at CATS and PACE Academy in Angleton.

Hrabovsky, who has been in the classroom for 21 years, teaches at an alternative campus, where the students are assigned for disciplinary reasons. Although the students are only in his classroom for an average of 25 days, Hrabovsky uses that short time period to bring agriculture to life through his science lessons.

He was nominated by Brazoria-Galveston County Farm Bureau.

“Mr. Hrabovsky’s dedication to his students is something to be honored. His situation is challenging, because the students he teaches are not able to go off campus and are under stricter guidelines in every aspect of their school day,” Tom Ferguson, Brazoria-Galveston County Farm Bureau president, said. “Mr. Hrabovsky has to constantly be looking for inventive ways to incorporate agricultural concepts into his classrooms, but we believe his students need that understanding of agriculture even more and our county Farm Bureau welcomes any opportunity to work with him and his students.”

Hrabovsky started a campus garden to help get students involved in outdoor activities and hands-on lessons. The garden recently received the Outdoor Program of the Year Award from the Texas Outdoor Education Association.

He was also awarded a Scoping Out Ag in the Classroom Microscope Grant and a Learning from the Group Up Garden Grant from TFB.

“Dale is a great example of the difference a teacher can make in a student’s life,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Regardless of the circumstances, Dale aims to bring agricultural experiences and information to his students, helping them make a connection between farmers and ranchers and our food, clothes, fuel and natural resources.”

Hrabovsky graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University, where he also received his Secondary Science Teacher Certification.

He and his wife, Traci, have two daughters and live in Friendswood.

In recognition of his accomplishment, Hrabovsky will receive a $600 cash award, as well as an expense-paid trip to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference next summer. Brazoria-Galveston County Farm Bureau also will receive a $400 cash award for his nomination.

Hrabovsky will be nominated for the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award.