Currently in her fourth year of teaching, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Abagail Deussen is rebuilding the program by creating a structured, supportive environment focused on leadership and career readiness.
Students say her leadership has changed their experience in agriculture classes and FFA by making them feel confident, organized and prepared for opportunities beyond the classroom. Through hands-on instruction, real world connections and consistent mentorship, Deussen is working to strengthen both the program and the students within it.
“I wanted to give back to a new set of kids and let them have the same experiences that I kind of got,” Deussen said.
Under her guidance, the agriculture program emphasizes responsibility, competition preparation and career exploration. Students participate in shows, leadership contests and industry events designed to build practical skills and confidence. Deussen’s professional experience allows her to teach beyond books.
“I’ve actually gone and worked cattle and done the things I’m teaching,” Deussen says.
She brings guest speakers into her classroom and takes her students to agricultural facilities so they can see potential career paths firsthand. Along with teaching at Guyer, she serves as Denton ISD’s swine and market rabbit advisor, working with students all across the district. Her journey in agriculture began long before she became a teacher.
“From an early age I kind of grew up with it,” Deussen said, explaining that her grandfather had cattle and horses.
Encouraged by family connections, she joined her middle school’s FFA program.
“I started out showing market rabbits and then kind of worked my way up from there,” she said, later adding pigs and competitive contests to her experience.
Even though she did not originally plan to become an agriculture teacher, her own instructors influenced her decision.
“All of my agriculture teachers growing up were like, ‘You would be really good at it. You should give it a shot,’” Deussen said.
Deussen attended Clarendon College and later West Texas A&M University. She judged horses and livestock at the collegiate level and worked for the American Quarter Horse Association, all of these experiences she now uses to better prepare her students for competitions and future careers.
Looking ahead, Deussen said she hoped to continue rebuilding membership and strengthening team culture within the FFA program.
“My goal for the FFA program was to retain membership and kind of rebuild from old habits,” Deussen said.
By focusing on relationships, leadership development and hands-on opportunity, Deussen is building a program students say they can trust and are proud to represent.
References: Photo from Guyer FFA by Abagail Deussen
