Cascade Teacher to Head Montana Ag Education

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(Helena, Mont.) – An experienced FFA Advisor and Ag Ed Teacher from Cascade has been named to head the Montana Ag Ed program at the Office of Public Instruction.

Eric Tilleman will take over from Shannon Boswell, who was recently promoted to the Interim Division Manager for all Career and Technical Education at OPI.

For the past 16 years, Tilleman has taught Agricultural Education at Cascade High School, home to one of the most successful Ag Ed and FFA programs in the state.

In leading Montana’s high school Ag Education effort, Eric Tilleman will be responsible for helping high schools that want to start, or grow Ag Ed and FFA programs.

“This will be a fun career because you get to travel the state and visit with Ag teachers through out the state,” Tilleman said. “I’ll find out what their needs are and find ways to help them with curriculum or funding. And help to build the team Ag atmosphere!”

Above: Tilleman with Cascade FFA Students

Tilleman takes over at a time when Montana faces a serious need for skilled workers.  In recent years, the number of Montana High Schools that offer Ag Education classes has grown dramatically, to nearly 100 high schools across the state.  The number of FFA members has also grown to record numbers, both in Montana and nationwide.

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Office of Public Instruction

Northern Ag Network- 2020

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Taylor Brown

It’s hard to think pf anyone better suited for this position than Eric Tilleman. Eric was Montana’s CTE Teacher-of-the-Year 6 years ago, and for most of the time that I was in the Legislature, he served on the MAAE Legislative Committee, where he was instrumental in helping grow legislative support statewide for Career and Technical Education. With Eric Tillman and Shannon Boswell at OPI, we are about to see Ag Education and FFA in Montana get a lot stronger!

RickBogden

Great choice!

Kevin Sukut

I supervised Eric for several years at Cascade. He was an outstanding educator, who built great relationships and impacted the community, school, and hundreds of young students lives in a truly positive manner. He will do an excellent job. Congrats Eric!!

Cynthia Johnson

Sad news for Cascade but awesome news for Ag Education in Montana and all of us who support those vital programs!! Congrats to Eric.

Renea Vandevender

Congratulations, Mr. Tilleman. Thank you for teaching my daughter’s. Especially kaila senior year.

Wendy Page

Congrats Eric! I’ve known Eric for several years, what a fantastic person to choose.

Tabetha Otheim

Great choice. My kids are going to miss him dearly. They really loved him as a teacher and FFA leader.

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