Lake Alfred teacher helps students find passion for agriculture

LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Melanie Carvajal is in her second year teaching, and she’s already making a big impact on her students.

She is the agriculture teacher at Lake Alfred Polytech Academy.

“Essentially, the kids are getting to learn about animal husbandry so taking care of animals, raising them, as well as how agriculture impacts our life,” said Carvajal.

Carvajal has created a positive environment in her classroom.

“Every morning, we have a saying. I say it, and they repeat back to me. We say, ‘Good morning, eyes up, hearts up, mind sharp, compassion on full blast.’ That’s a positive mindset for the day,” said Carvajal.

“She’s energetic, she’s enthusiastic. She wants to bring the passion to her students,” said Broderick Ogzewalla, the assistant principal.

Ogzewalla taught agriculture to Carvajal when she was in school, and now things have come full circle.

“My child is actually a sixth grader and is in her class now. So the lessons that I taught her, she took those, she has her own lessons, and she’s teaching them to my child,” said Ogzewalla.

She is passionate about agriculture and helping her students learn every aspect of it. Carvajal says her students get to compete in different contests through FFA.

In addition to learning the material, Carvajal wants her students to leave her class with life lessons.

“I truly just want them leaving knowing what kindness and respect looks like. They should know how to treat others, how to treat animals, and how to treat themselves truthfully,” said Carvajal.