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Jess Herr – The Yellow Table


Lesson Plans & Curriculum
High School
60 minutes

“The Yellow Table” is a National FFA Organization lesson built around the 2022-23 National FFA Secretary Jessica Herr’s retiring address, in which she shares stories of bold, “ordinary” dreams. Students watch the video and complete a worksheet, then develop their own personally relevant goal written in SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) format, learning the importance of goals and dreams.

At a glance

Learning objectives
  • Understand the importance of goals and dreams.
  • Explain and develop a SMART goal.
Time required
60 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
Grade level
Grades 9 and 10
Materials
  • A copy of the "The Yellow Table" worksheet for each student
  • Internet access to play the video in real-time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
Description of Lesson
Dream big or dream bold? In her retiring address, 2022-23 National FFA Secretary Jessica Herr shares stories of bold dreams, including her own "yellow table."
Vocabulary
Goal; Dream
Cross-Curricular Connections
English/Language Arts — Create a personally relevant SMART goal.
Virtual Instruction Ideas
Have students download and watch the video on a device of their choice and complete the worksheet.
Resources/References
Video: "The Yellow Table" | Jessica Herr 2023 Retiring Adress, https://vimeo.com/883700525
Related Resources
Retiring Addresses and Keynote Speeches, FFA.org/ffa-video-center/convention-keynotes-and-retiring-addresses/

Download Video

The Yellow Table — Jessica Herr

Coffee is not just a beverage. It’s a cherished ritual for many. Through a high school job at a local coffee shop, Jess fostered a passion for community and dreamed of opening a coffee shop. Despite feeling different from her peers’ dreams, Jess learns that ordinary dreams, like restoring a family farmhouse or a local business, are just as significant and full of purpose. Jess highlights the importance of having supportive people who believe in and stand up for your dreams, referred to as “dream defenders.” Emphasizing the importance of community, she encourages everyone not to dismiss their dreams as too ordinary, but to see them as bold dreams, each holding immense value. Jess ends by sharing her dream of opening a coffee shop and cut flower farm, named ‘The Yellow Table,’ a space fostering community and connection.

Downloads & Links

Lesson plan

Worksheet

Other

Aligned Standards

AFNR Career Ready Practices

  • CRP.01Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee.
  • 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.10Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. Career-ready individuals take personal ownership of their own educational and career goals, and they regularly act on a plan to attain these goals.

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.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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