Apollo High School agricultural education teacher Aaron Tucker was surprised Wednesday with the Golden Owl Award during a ceremony attended by family members, friends, alumni, and coworkers, recognizing his decades of service to students and agricultural education.
Presented by Nationwide and the Kentucky FFA Foundation, the Golden Owl Award recognizes agricultural educators across Kentucky for their contributions to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Students, fellow teachers, and community members nominate teachers and explain why they believe each educator deserves recognition.
Tucker was selected as the Green River Region recipient, one of 12 regional honorees statewide. Each regional winner advances to the next phase of consideration for the statewide award.
“It was a surprise,” Tucker said. “I wasn’t expecting it or anything like that. I’ve been doing this 31 years and still love it. I still like what I’m doing, and nothing’s changed.”
The award nomination came from Tucker’s daughter, Amelia Tucker, who previously served as an FFA officer while a student at Apollo. She read portions of her nomination letter during the ceremony.
In her nomination, Amelia highlighted her father’s commitment to students both in and outside the classroom, noting that he regularly attends community events and supports former students through important moments in their lives.
“Once I have them in class, they’re mine for life,” Tucker said. “I’ll do whatever the kids need. That’s what they know.”
Tucker said his own upbringing on a farm helped guide him toward agricultural education.
“I always grew up on a farm and knew I wanted to do something in agriculture,” he said. “I liked mechanics, but I knew I didn’t have the patience to do mechanics every single day. I had two really good ag teachers in high school, and that helped push me in this direction.”
After enrolling at Western Kentucky University, Tucker said he quickly realized agricultural education was the right career path.
“As soon as I got to Western, I knew what I wanted to do,” he said. “I took the agriculture courses, did student teaching, and I’ve been doing it 31 years now.”
Tucker said one of the most rewarding parts of the job is watching students discover new skills and interests.
“Every kid’s different,” he said. “When you get them out in the shop, and they fire up a torch for the first time or try welding and ask you, ‘Does this look like a good weld?’ — you see them improve. Sometimes they realize they really enjoy it and want to make a career out of it.”
Over the years, Tucker said, he has seen former students pursue a wide range of careers connected to agriculture and skilled trades.
“I’ve got former students farming, working in manufacturing and welding, electricians, veterinarians — even people who’ve started their own businesses,” he said. “It’s great seeing where they all end up.”
Tucker said he plans to continue teaching for two more years before retiring from education.
Outside the classroom, agriculture remains central to Tucker’s life. He and his wife, Jennifer, operate a farm where they raise cattle and hay. Their son helps with the farm operation, while one daughter is pursuing an agriculture degree at Western Kentucky University. Tucker’s youngest daughter, who is 11, has recently taken an interest in raising chickens.
“I’m just tickled to death,” Tucker said of receiving the award and reflecting on his career. “Seeing the students grow and succeed is what it’s all about.”
