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Artha Jonassaint – From Dreaming to Primetime


Lesson Plans & Curriculum
High School
45 minutes

This lesson plan centers on the retiring address of 2020-21 National FFA Southern Region Vice President Artha Jonassaint, in which she discusses how dreams are the beginning of extraordinary actions. Students watch the video and complete a worksheet identifying the steps to being extraordinary, then create a mural depicting a personal dream, how to show love, and a plan to take action.

At a glance

Learning objectives
  • Identify the steps to being extraordinary.
  • Create a mural to depict a personal dream, how to show love and a plan of how to take action.
Time required
45 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
Grade level
Grades 9 and 10
Materials
  • A copy of the "From Dreaming to Primetime" worksheet for each student
  • Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
Vocabulary
1. Dream 2. Extraordinary 3. Primetime
Cross-Curricular Connections
English/Language Arts: Develop and describe a mural.
Resources/References
Video: "Artha Jonassaint Retiring Address," https://vimeo.com/640503378
Related Resources
Retiring Addresses and Keynotes, FFA.org/ffa-video-center/convention-keynotes-and-retiring-addresses/
Virtual Instruction Ideas
Have students download and watch the video on a device of their choice and complete the worksheet.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Flexibility and Adaptability; Initiative and Self-Direction; Leadership and Responsibility

Download Video

“From Pillows to Primetime” | Artha Jonassaint 2021 Retiring Address

Artha Jonassaint delivers her retiring address as National FFA Southern Region Vice President, framing her central message around three steps to leading an extraordinary life: dreaming more, loving more, and doing more. Using personal stories—including meeting a Texas student who learned Spanish for the Creed contest and her own struggles during a year marked by the pandemic and George Floyd’s murder—she encourages FFA members to turn their dreams into action, taking them “from pillows to primetime.” The address is bookended by heartfelt tributes from her family and fellow officers honoring her kindness, leadership, and impact.

Downloads & Links

Lesson plan

Worksheet

Other

Aligned Standards

AFNR Career Ready Practices

  • CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
  • CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
  • CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
  • CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.

Common Core – Writing

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4Produce clear and coherent writing the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

FFA Precept

  • FFA.CS-NDecision Making: Analyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
  • FFA.PG-JMental Growth: Embrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
  • FFA.PL-AAction: Assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
  • FFA.PL-CVision: Visualize the future and how to get there.
  • FFA.PL-EAwareness: Understand personal vision, mission and goals.

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