We Teach Ag
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Buz Arnold
Teaches
Ag Foods and Processing
Intro to Shop Skills
Coaches
Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team
Natural Resources
Project Competition
SAE Supervision
Swine
Work Experience
Buz grew up in Merced and graduated from Merced High School. He attended Merced College, transferred to UC Davis, and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Managerial Economics. Throughout college, during the school year, he worked part-time at ski shops in Merced and Davis. During the summers, he worked in Yosemite as a guide/packer, leading rides, packing supplies into the high country, and hauling livestock. Buz also worked two winters in Tahoe City as a ski and boot technician, fitting ski boots and tuning skis and snowboards. Buz went back to school at Cal Poly to get his Ag Teachers Credential and Masters and began teaching at Mariposa in 2001. He met Chelsea in Yosemite, where she was also a guide/packer. Buz and Chelsea have two children: Mackenzie and Owen. Buz and Chelsea enjoy endurance riding, raising sheep, boating, fishing, and going to the beach. Buz coaches the Natural Resources Team, Novice Parliamentary Procedure Team, and Project Competition.
Michelle Wise
Teaches
Ag Biology
Veterinary Science
Ag Leadership
Coaches
Impromptu Public Speaking
Vet Science
Opening/closing teams
Novice Parliamentary Procedure Team
SAE Supervision
Beef Cattle
Rabbits
Poultry
Work Experience
Michelle is a 2000 graduate of Mariposa County High School and followed her dad's footsteps and passion for FFA and agriculture. She attended Merced College and majored in Animal Science while competitive livestock judging for the college during her 3 years at Merced College. She went on to transfer to Fresno State to major in Agriculture Education, receiving her bachelor's degree and teaching credential. She also received her Master's degree in Ag Education through Chico State. She worked her first 7 years as an ag teacher at Yosemite High School in Oakhurst, an opening took place at MCHS which allowed Michelle to move closer to home and teach at her Alma Mater. She has been teaching now for 19 years, loves teaching back at the high school she once attended. She currently teaches many of the Ag science courses along with coaching the Veterinary Science team, impromptu speaking contest, Opening and closing teams and new this year took on coaching the Novice Parli Pro Team. She is also the advisor for the FFA officers. She currently lives in Cathey's Valley with her husband Mike and 2 children Emmett and Kyndall where they enjoy raising and showing cattle, sheep and roping.
Garret Rowley
Teaches
Introduction to Welding
Small Engines/Ag Physics
Welding Fabrication
Coaches
Welding
SAE Supervision
Sheep
Work Experience
Garret is originally from Turlock with a long family history in the Dairy business. He attended Modesto Junior College after high school, majoring in Agriculture Engineering and Welding Technologies. He then transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a major in Agriculture Education. From Cal Poly, he then came to Mariposa to teach and has been here for the past 10 years. Also at Cal Poly, he met his wife Regan, who also teaches in the Mariposa County School District. Garret and Regan now have 3 kids: Quinley (6), Karsyn (3), and Clayton (2), who all help keep their lives very busy. Garret coaches the Ag Welding CDE team and runs the welding and engine shop classes currently at the high school. In his free time, he and his wife raise club lambs and goats. Garret also enjoys hunting, fishing, anything with an engine, and running a small side welding business.
Maggie Swanson
Teaches
Ag Chemistry
Intro to Floral Design
Horticulture
Coaches
Ag Issues
Job Interview
SAE Supervision
Goats
Work Experience
Maggie grew up in Northern California and went on to Cal Poly for her undergraduate studies. She worked on the Cal Poly Dairy for years and was involved in the Young Cattlemen's Association. Her academic journey didn't stop there; She completed her teaching credentials and masters degree at UC Davis. Growing up, she was very involved in FFA and showed livestock at jackpots across the state and competed at county fairs. She participated in livestock judging throughout high school and various speaking contests, as well as served in different officer positions. Maggie comes from a big family that includes three brothers and a sister, and her famous wiener dog named Sissy. She currently teaches AG Chemistry, Horticulture, and Floral Design. Maggie also coaches Job Interview and the AG Issues Team, which is new to Mariposa FFA. What stood out to her to move to Mariposa is how our community is so much like where she grew up.