Becki Lawver
Applied Sciences, Technology, & Education (ASTE)
Department Head, Professor | CTE, Ag Education, Leadership Education
Contact Information
Office Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Office Location: ASTE 105
Phone: 435-797-1254
Email: rebecca.lawver@usu.edu
Educational Background
Biography
Becki Lawver is a Professor of Agricultural Education and Department Head of the Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education Department.
Teaching Interests
Dr. Lawver's teaching interests include leadership, career and technical education, teacher preparation, curriculum development, and teaching methodology.
Research Interests
Dr. Lawver's research investigates the human interaction between education and society, specifically professional development of formal and non-formal educators in agricultural safety, STEM, Career and Technical Education, curriculum development, and leadership.
Graduate Student Mentoring Philosophy
In my capacity as a graduate mentor, I see myself as both a counselor and a facilitator of learning, embodying ethical conduct and fostering an environment of collaboration. Recognizing each student's individuality, I prioritize understanding their unique perspectives and experiences. This personalized approach, coupled with a commitment to adult learning principles, ensures that the guidance provided is relevant, timely, and inherently motivating.
I empower students to take charge of their learning journey, fostering autonomy, self-efficacy, and self-motivation. I believe in offering comprehensive support that addresses both academic and personal/professional development, nurturing well-being and resilience. Emphasizing lifelong learning, I stress the significance of curiosity, adaptability, and continuous growth beyond the classroom. Through promoting reflective practice and delivering constructive feedback, I enable students to learn from their experiences and consistently enhance their skills.
Drawing from my own positive experiences with mentors, I aim to pass on that guidance to my students. Valuing their unique experiences, I blend them with my own to collaboratively facilitate learning and exemplify effective mentoring. Ultimately, my objective is to cultivate a supportive and nurturing environment where students can excel academically, personally, and professionally.
Awards
AAAE Fellow, 2022
American Association for Agricultural Eduation
Top-10 Research Poster Submission, 2023
American Association for Agricultural Education
Utah FFA Blue and Gold Award, 2023
Utah FFA
Outstanding Research Presentation, 2019
Western Region American Association for Agricultural Education
People's Choice Award Research Poster, 2019
Western Region American Association for Agricultural Education
2019 ASABE Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award, 2019
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Outstanding Student Research Proposal, 2018
Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences.
Robins Award - Faculty University Service, 2017
Utah State University
Secondary Education Outstanding Supervisor, 2017
Utah State University, School of Teacher Education and Leadership
National Excellence in College and University Teaching Award, 2016
United States Department of Agriculture
Outstanding Early Career Member , 2016
Western Region American Association for Agricultural Education
Faculty University Service Award, 2016
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Post Secondary Teacher of the Year - Finalist, 2016
Association for Career and Technical Education
Post Secondary Teacher of the Year, 2016
Utah Association for Career and Technical Education
Distinguished Teaching Award, 2015
Western Region American Association for Agricultural Education
NACTA Educator Award, 2015
North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
Honorary State FFA Degree, 2015
Utah FFA
Secondary Education Outstanding Supervisor, 2015
School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Robins Award - Undergraduate Faculty Advisor of the Year, 2014
Utah State University
1st Place Research Poster Presentation, Faculty Division, 2013
American Association for Agricultural Education
3rd Place Research Poster Presentation, Faculty Division, 2013
American Association for Agricultural Education
Undergraduate Faculty Advisor of the Year for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, 2013
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Undergraduate Faculty Advisor of the Year for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, 2013
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
1st Runner-Up Outstanding Article in the Journal of Agricultural Education Volume 52, 2012
Journal of Agricultural Education
2012 Distinguished Manuscript Award, 2012
American Association for Agricultural Education National Research Conference
3rd Place Innovative Idea Poster Presentation, Faculty Division , 2012
American Association for Agricultural Education National Research Conference
30 Minute Club Award, 2010
Utah Association of Agricultural Educators
1st Place Outstanding Research Poster Presentation, Faculty Division, 2010
American Association for Agricultural Education National Research Conference
2009 Distinguished Manuscript, 2009
American Association for Agricultural Education National Research Conference
Honorary State FFA Degree, 2005
Nebraska State FFA Association
Publications | Book Chapters
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Curriculum
- Lawver, R.G, Sorensen, T., (2016). Utah Agricultural Education Natural Resources Science I and II Curriculum Library. Utah State Board of Education *
- Sorensen, T., Lawver, R.G, Lucas, M., Dutton, C., Dalling, C., (2016). Utah Curriculum for Agricultural Education. *
- Warnick, B.K, Lawver, R.G, (2015). Utah Agricultural Education Agricultural Science I Curriculum Library. Utah State Office of Education Career and Technical Education *
- Lawver, R.G, Warnick, B.K, (2015). Utah Agricultural Education Landscape Management Curriculum Library. Utah State Office of Education Career and Technical Education *
- Warnick, B.K, Lawver, R.G, (2014). Utah Agricultural Education Agricultural Systems and Technology Curriculum Materials. Utah State Office of Education Career and Technical Education *
- Gardner, A.C, Lawver, R.G, Warnick, B.K, (2014). Utah Agricultural Education Animal Science I Curriculum Materials. Utah State Office of Education Career and Technical Education *
- Lawver, R.G, Robertson, B., Smith, K., Pressett, J., Grundy, J., Warnick, B.K, (2013). Utah Agricultural Education Agricultural Communication Curriculum Materials. Utah State Office of Education Career and Technical Education *
- Nuttall, K., Warnick, B.K, Lawver, R.G, (2013). Utah Agricultural Education Veterinary Assisting Curriculum Materials. Utah State Office of Education Career and Technical Education *
- Lawver, R.G, Warnick, B.K, (2012). Utah Agricultural Education Plant and Soil Science I Curriculum Materials. Utah State Office of Education *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Journal Articles
Academic Journal
- Smalley, S.W, Perry, D.K, Shultz, A., Lawver, R.G, Pate, M., Hannagriff, R., Ewell, C., (2022). Assessing Youth Safety Knowledge Through the Agricultural Experience Tracker . Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 28:2, 87-98. doi: 10.13031/jash.14801
- Weeks, K.J, Lawver, R.G, Sorensen, T., Warnick, B.K, (2020). Do Teachers Have the Skills: 21st Century Skills in the Agricultural Education Classroom?. Journal of Agricultural Education, 61:4, 127-142. doi: 10.5032/jae.2020.04127
- Lawver, R.G, Smalley, S.W, Perry, D.K, Pate, M., (2024). Impact of sequential professional development of school-based agricultural education teachers: In-service implications for safety training.. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65:1
- Merrill, C.A, Lawver, R.G, (2019). Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into a Food and Nutrition Curriculum in Utah. Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 48:1, 1 - 15.
- Pate, M., Lawver, R.G, Smalley, S.W, Perry, D.K, Stallones, L., Shultz, A., (2019). Agricultural Safety Education: Formative Assessment of a Curriculum Integration Strategy. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 25:2, 63-76. doi: 10.13031/jash.13113
- Sorensen, T.J, Lawver, R.G, Hopkins, N., Jensen, B., Dutton, C., Warnick, B.K, (2018). Preservice agriculture teachers’ development during the early phase of student teaching. Journal of Agricultural Education, 59:4, 105-119. doi: 10.5032/jae.2018.04105
- Ingram, M., Sorensen, T.J, Warnick, B.K, Lawver, R.G, (2018). The influence of school-based agricultural education on pre-service agriculture teachers' choice to teach. . Journal of Agricultural Education/AAAE, 59:2, 64-78. doi: 10.5032/jae.2018.02064
- Lucero, S.M, Rigas, J., Rood, K., Lawver, R.G, Warnick, B.K, (2017). Social integration of veterinary students in a two and two veterinary medical program. The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Journal, 61:4, 284-289.
- Gardner, A.C, Warnick, B.K, Lawver, R.G, (2017). Effects of Integrating Mathematical Concepts into a Nutrition Unit in the Animal Science Curriculum. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 1:1, 2-10.
- Lawver, R.G, McKim, B.R, Enns, K., Smith, A.R, Aschenbrener, M.S, (2016). Developing Metrics for Effective Teaching in Agricultural Education. Journal of Career and Technical Education Research , 41:2, 67-83. doi: https://doi.org/10.5328/cter41.2.67
- Pate, M., Lawver, R.G, Sorensen, T., (2016). Safety in high school supervised agricultural experiences: Teachers’ training and students’ Injury Awareness. . Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 22:1, 150-166. doi: 10.13031/jash.22.11142
- Rose, M., Pate, M., Lawver, R.G, Warnick, B.K, Dai, X., (2015). Assessing the Impact of Sequencing Practicums for Welding in Agricultural Mechanics . Journal of Agricultural Education/American Association for Agricultural Education , 56:1, 92-102. doi: 10.5032/jae.2015.01092
- Lawver, R.G, Smith, K.L, (2014). Coping mechanisms Utah agriculture teachers use to manage teaching related stress. Journal of Agricultural Education, 55 :1, 77-91. doi: doi:10.5032/jae.2014.01076.
- McKim, B.R, Lawver, R.G, Enns, K., Smith, A.R, Aschenbrener, M.S, (2013). Developing Metrics for Effective Teaching in Extension Education: A Multi-State Factor-Analytic and Psychometric Analysis of Effective Teaching. . Journal of Agricultural Education, 54:2, 143-158. doi: 10.5032/jae.2013.02143
- Lawver, R.G, Torres, R.M, (2012). An analysis of post-secondary agricultural education students choice to teach. Journal of Agricultural Education, 53:2, 1 - 10. doi: 10.5032/jae.2012.02001
- Kitchel, T.J, Smith, A.R, Ball, A.A, Robinson, J.S, Lawver, R.G, Park, T.D, Schell, A., (2012). Teacher job satisfaction and burnout viewed through social comparisons.. Journal of Agricultural Education, 53:1, 31-44. doi: 10.5032/jae.2012.01031
- Lawver, R.G, (2011). Determinants of pre-service students’ choice to teach secondary agricultural education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 52:1, 61-71. doi: 10.5032/jae.2011.01061
- Lawver, R.G, Lambert, M.D, Torres, R.M, (2010). Secondary agricultural education teachers in North Carolina: Forecasting underlying work-related job-stress levels.. Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research, 60, 52-66.
- Lawver, R.G, Lambert, M.D, Torres, R.M, (2010). Predicting secondary agriculture teachers’ job stress from selected personal, family, and work-related characteristics. . Career and Technical Education Research, 32:2, doi: 10.5328/cter35.206
- Lawver, R.G, Torres, R.M, Lambert, M.D, (2010). Job-related stress among agricultural education teachers: A comparison study. . Journal of Agricultural Education, 50:3, 100-111. doi: 10.5032/jae.2009.03100
Professional Journal
Public or Trade Journal
- Pate, M., Smalley, S., Perry, D., Lawver, R.G, (2023). Empowering Teachers to Transform Youth Safety Education. Agricultural Education Magazine, 96:3, 41. *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Technical Reports
Research Reports
- Lawver, R.G, (2018). Status of the U.S. Supply and Demand for Teachers of Agricultural Education, 2014 - 2016. The American Association for Agricultural Education *
- Smith, A.R, Lawver, R.G, Foster, D.D, (2019). National Agricultural Education Supply & Demand study, 2018 Executive Summary. American Association for Agricultural Education *
- Lawver, R.G, Smith, A.R, Foster, D.D, (2017). National agricultural education supply & demand study: 2016 executive summary. American Association for Agricultural Education *
- Lawver, R.G, Smith, A.R, Foster, D.D, (2016). National agricultural education supply & demand study: 2015 executive summary. American Association for Agricultural Education *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Other
Magazine/Trade Publications
- Pate, M., Lawver, R.G, (2016). Engaging community members in "creating a culture of safety" for supervised agricultural experience. The Agricultural Education Magazine *
- Lawver, R.G, Pate, M., (2016). Preparing students for risk assessment of worksites used for supervised agricultural experiences. The Agricultural Education Magazine *
- Lawver, R.G, (2012). Blackshirts. The Columns. Finals Week Howl. . The Agricultural Education Magazine.
- Lawver, R.G, Smith, A.R, (2011). Gotta get ‘em there first…Then, let’s worry about keeping ‘em. The Agricultural Education Magazine.
- Lawver, R.G, (2011). Half the battle. The Agricultural Education Magazine.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.