Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE)

Dr. T.J. Brown has been an educator for almost 20 years: previously teaching high school, and is beginning his seventh-year teaching in SCC’s Agriculture Program in 2023. Because of his investment in curriculum development, he consulted for the Department of Education regarding state standards for ag mechanics & shop safety and worked on SCC department program/curriculum changes, particularly in Sustainable Microfarming and Advanced Ag Technician. A lifelong learner, Brown reports that learning has been his only hobby for the past four years – listening to lectures, reading textbooks, and completing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Morehead State. Not one to sit still, T.J. has also begun working on an MBA this summer. 

Dr. Brown is devoted to investing in his field, educating the future of agribusiness in Southern Minnesota, farming with family, and as the FFA Superintendent for the Minnesota State Fair. That means managing and coordinating 1000 high school students, 3000 head of livestock, and a six-figure budget. Dr. Brown is dedicated to mentoring Ag teachers early in their careers, has written grants to help other teachers, and has written a safety textbook. In lieu of textbook royalties, he negotiated that every high school Ag and Shop teacher in the state would get that textbook for free. Dr. Brown received three awards this year alone: Induction into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame (April 2023) and received both the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Teacher Mentor of the Year and the Presidential Award of Merit (July 2023).