One student excitedly remarked, “Tractor Thursday is the best Thursday!” — a perfect reflection of the enthusiasm surrounding this special event. Ms. Cullop was thrilled to celebrate everything students had learned during their Thursday morning meetings focused on agriculture, farming, and trade jobs. Despite a rainy season, the weather held off long enough for the event to go on as planned. The day featured impressive machines and equipment from local partners, including Hardy Farms, Askew Lawn Care, SLC Dumpster Rentals, CKS Landworks & Hauling, and Randleman Service Station.
What began as a simple idea to use Thursday morning meetings to teach students about the world around them quickly grew into something much more impactful. Ms. Cullop created “Tractor Thursday” lessons to help students gain a deeper understanding of where food comes from, the purpose of large vehicles on the roads, and the many trade careers that keep communities running. These engaging and hands-on sessions became a student favorite each week.
Over the course of the year, the lessons covered a variety of crops, equipment, careers, and agricultural terms. For example, during a unit on pumpkins, students learned about the growing process, tasted pumpkin seeds, and even took home a locally grown pumpkin. The goal remained consistent throughout: to make learning meaningful and fun. Ms. Cullop firmly believes these lessons provided valuable learning experiences that benefited every student in the classroom.
The success of Tractor Thursday wouldn’t be possible without the support of generous community partners. Past students had been eagerly asking all year when the “Tractor Thursday Finale” would take place, and it was incredibly rewarding to see their smiles as they rejoined the celebration alongside their teachers.
