Planting New Interests

By: Brienna Burr

The AG Shop is a well-known place on campus. Redwood has only had one teacher, Mr. Coon, across the St. John’s River on the main campus, but now we have two! Ms. Veloz discusses her history, new classes, and plans for this year. 

Ms. Veloz is a new teacher here at Redwood. Veloz teaches Intro to Animal & Plan Physiology, Plant & Soil Science, and Floral Design. All of these classes are new to Redwood and create an entirely new pathway, the Horticulture Pathway. 

Veloz says that in her class, Intro to Animal & Plan Physiology, “That’s where students learn about the basics of plants and animals, kind of an introduction to terminology, how those systems work, and then, they jump into plant and soil science.” 

She says, Plant and Soil Science, is “a more intense class on how to grow plants and how to transplant plants.”

She says, “Floral Design, that’s where they learn how to make bouquets.”

Veloz says, “We’re trying to have bouquets for every holiday, every event at school.”

Veloz says, she grew up down south and was involved in FFA all 4 years of High School. Veloz says “I raised beef and caddle.” 

Veloz traveled to go to school at Fresno State University and majored in agriculture. Veloz says she, “loved it.” Her love for AG at Fresno State encouraged her to become an AG teacher.

Veloz says, she “student-taught at Dinuba and El Diamante.”

Veloz says, “I taught the same classes there that I am teaching here now.” 

She says, “Honestly, Mr. Coon” was the reason she came to teach at Redwood. Veloz says she met Mr. Coon through a staff member at El Diamante. 

Veloz says, “He has helped me a lot through my teaching career right now.”

Another encouragement to come join the Ranger family was the school spirit. Before joining Redwood she would say, “‘Okay, I love that school and I like the school spirit,’” when Mr. Coon brought up the idea of her working for Redwood. 

In her short time here at Redwood, Veloz says, “It feels like home here.” 

Regarding her classes, Veloz says, “I’m really excited just for the students to get more hands-on.”

Veloz adds, “My class is open to anyone, honestly. Whether you are in AG or not, it is always open, it’s always full of kids who come in here during lunch, and during passing.”

Tags: ag, agriculture, Agriculture Education, teacher perspective