2025 David Mugler OutstandingTeacher Award - Dr. Gaea Hock

 

Ph.D. in Agricultural Communications and Education, Texas Tech University

M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University

B.S. in Agricultural Education, Kansas State University

This year’s David Mugler Outstanding Teacher Award goes to Dr. Gaea Hock. As an alumna of Kansas State University, Hock received her bachelor's in agricultural education and master's degree in curriculum and instruction in 2003 and 2006, respectively, and she earned her doctorate at Texas Tech University in 2012.

Hock is thoroughly involved throughout the K-State campus. Within the College of Agriculture, she is part of the Teaching Development Committee and the Committee on Planning and has led two study-abroad trips. For the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education, she serves as the graduate program coordinator, co-advises the Agricultural Education Club and is the coordinator for the Agricultural Education Advisory Committee. In the College of Education, she represents the agricultural education program at curriculum and instruction departmental meetings. She has bettered students and staff through her roles across the university.

Outside of K-State, Hock is the editor for the Agricultural Education Magazine, serves on the National FFA Agriscience committee and is the superintendent of the Kansas FFA Agriscience Fair. Additionally, she fosters rural youth development by working with the Kansas Youth Water Advocates to educate them about water quality and quantity issues in Kansas.

Hock has received numerous accolades from the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators. In 2019, she was awarded the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Educator Award, and in 2024, she was given the North Central AAAE Special Recognition Award. These honors acknowledge Hock’s lifelong commitment to bettering the fields of education and agriculture.