Involvement and Leadership

How to become involved in the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association: Become an active member by paying your association dues at the annual conference. Attend sectional and regional meetings, inservices, and professional workshops.

How to become an officer in CATA: This starts at the sectional level. Even first year teachers can be elected into these offices. Officers rotate up through the chairs to provide consistency within the officer teams. In order to run for state office, an Ag teacher must have completed the rotation through the regional officer positions or held a chairmanship at the state level.

How to apply for professional awards: This involves being nominated by your peers, usually at the sectional level. The region then votes on a regional winner. However, others who meet the award criteria are welcome to apply. The applications for the following awards are found in the Leadership Handbook that the state, division, and regional officers are given and on CATA's website. Leadership Handbooks can also be purchased from the CATA office.

CATA Awards: Due February 15th

  • Outstanding Post Secondary Program
  • Outstanding Secondary Program
  • Outstanding Teacher - Don Wilson Memorial
  • Outstanding Young Member
  • Pathway Teacher of the Year
    • Agriculture Business
    • Agriculture Mechanics
    • Agriscience
    • Animal Science
    • Forestry & Natural Resources
    • Ornamental Horticulture
    • Plant & Soil Science
  • Teacher of Excellence
  • Teacher Mentor
  • NAAE Awards - state winners’ applications submitted to NAAE by May 15th