Senior Teagan Meyer dreams of teaching agriculture and coaching track and field following graduation

Senior Teagan Meyer of Alta, Iowa, is majoring in secondary education with a concentration in agricultural education at Concordia University, Nebraska. He has been on the university track and field team for four years, has served as an admissions diplomat giving campus tours to guests for two years and has been part of the Concordia Ambassadors for Student Education group for three years. 

“I chose to study at Concordia because from the start it felt like home. I knew the strong, close knit Christian community was something that would help me grow in my faith while preparing me for my future vocation. Being able to run track for another four years was another amazing opportunity that drew me to Concordia,” he said. “The community at Concordia is the number one thing that sets it apart. Many smaller universities have a close-knit community, but at Concordia the community is second to none. You are constantly surrounded by likeminded people that only help you to push yourself to be the best you can.” 

He said all professors go out of their way to get to know students personally and truly want to see students succeed. He said professors in Concordia Nebraska’s agriculture education program work closely with students to prepare them to serve in the classroom and ensure that students have meaningful hands-on experience. 

“Concordia Nebraska’s agriculture education program is different from other universities for multiple reasons. For starters it is no secret that the education department is one of the best in the state, if not the nation,” he said. “The education professors do a great job of preparing you to think like a teacher and build confidence in your skills. The agriculture department makes it a point to provide you with the opportunity to study multiple different aspects of the agriculture industry while gaining first-hand experience out in the field. Some of the best learning happens when you are actually immersed and hands-on with the content and the professors at Concordia strive to make this happen for all their students.” 

Meyer said he discovered Concordia Nebraska by accident. 

“When searching for colleges, I was looking for a small school where I could study agriculture and run track. So, I quite literally Googled small schools in the Midwest with an agriculture program,” he said. “This search led me to Concordia where I feel I was truly meant to be. I have learned valuable skills and made some great connections here that have ensured me that God had called me to Concordia.” 

“The education professors do a great job of preparing you to think like a teacher and build confidence in your skills. The agriculture department makes it a point to provide you with the opportunity to study multiple different aspects of the agriculture industry while gaining first-hand experience out in the field. Some of the best learning happens when you are actually immersed and hands-on with the content and the professors at Concordia strive to make this happen for all their students.”

He said he has had many wonderful experiences during his time on campus, but one of the best things is being surrounded by so many likeminded people both in his classes and on the track team. 

“Some of my best memories have come while competing alongside my friends on the track every day at practice,” he said. “Being able to walk around campus and greet so many different people is also one of my favorite experiences at Concordia.” 

He said he has experienced many highs and lows during his time on campus, but his professors have been unwavering in their encouragement and support. 

“At times, it was easy for me to get discouraged and tell myself that I wasn’t going to be a good teacher, and maybe I should be studying something else,” he said. “But my professors were great at building my confidence back up and reminding me that I don’t need to know all the information. They showed me that God’s purpose for me isn’t to be the smartest teacher but to be one that cares for and seeks the best in every one of my students.” 

Meyer grew up on acreage in Northwest Iowa with his younger brother and younger sister, two dogs, several horses and some cows. He and his family love camping, going to baseball games and playing card games. When he’s not studying, you’ll find Meyer watching or playing sports, watching movies and going to car races. In the summer, he umpires baseball, plays pickleball and spike ball and spends time on the lake. He also enjoys distance running. 

Before he came to the university, Meyer said he didn’t know anyone in Nebraska. 

“While this was scary at first it really forced me to go out and meet new people, I had to learn how to talk to new people,” he said. “That experience has left me with connections all across the state of Nebraska, and the Midwest as well, and a confidence in my ability to speak to others. Communication and speaking skills are undoubtedly something I can take with me as I become a teacher.” 

Following graduation, Meyer hopes to teach agriculture and coach track and field in a small community somewhere in the Midwest. 

“Coming from a small town myself and going to a smaller university I could not imagine going anywhere else but a small community where you can really get to know your students and coworkers around you,” he said.  

He said than in addition to preparing him for teaching, his time at the university has strengthened and developed his faith in Jesus Christ. 

“At Concordia, an emphasis is put on receiving a Christian education,” he said. “Professors in classes make it a point to connect ideas to Jesus and ask questions that help you to deepen your faith. Also, being surrounded by so many other people that believe what you believe provides a unique opportunity you don’t always see elsewhere to really challenge yourself to grow your relationship with God.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s agriculture program equips students with a well-rounded and balanced educational program that challenges them to become an effective communicator, critical thinker and ethical decision-maker. Concordia’s Christ-centered, excellent academics prepare students to be a leader in the agriculture field through dynamic, real-world learning experiences so you can inspire and serve others and fulfill your calling. Students wishing to teach agriculture in the classroom are equipped through both the university’s education department and agriculture department with a degree in secondary education with a concentration in agricultural education.