Marilyn A. Briar-Seidlitz was hired by the Italy ISD in July of 2009. Since that time, she has taught art classes and now, Seidlitz handles the FFA classes as well.

For as long as she can remember, Marilyn Seidlitz and her siblings have been involved in 4-H and FFA. “There was never any question that any of us would not attend college. We all followed our Dad and graduated from California State University, Fresno. I am grateful every day for his persistence in us kids having a college education establishing a career,” Marilyn said.

“I was born and raised in Clovis, California on a small ranch of 20 acres,” Seidlitz explained. "In 1965, we had one of the smallest ranches in our area of Fresno County. In 1997, we had one of the largest ranches or tract of land in the area. That’s how fast our ‘small town’ grew. Now, all the cattle are gone, all the agriculture has been replaced by housing tracts and, now, I have to look at street signs to get around our ‘small town’.

“I moved to Texas for the agriculture programs, for Texas FFA. It has been wonderful living in Texas and never have I regretted moving here.” Seidlitz was hired in 2002 by Duncanville ISD to teach agriculture and was living in Blooming Grove. “After 7 years the commute got to be too much financially and I kept an eye on local school districts over the years. I was very aware of Italy ISD. Due to the lack of agriculture positions within commuting distance, I decided to take the Excet Test for Art in 2008. I have an A.S. in Photography, and art is a personal passion I have had since I stopped taking oil painting lessons to pursue my FFA career in high school. So, when an Art teaching position opened up in Italy, I actively pursued it. Even after 2 years, I am still so excited to be a teacher at Italy ISD. A teacher could not ask for a better group of educators to work with. It is nice to be around teachers who remember that our priority is the students. After the stress of being employed at 5A schools, I love the 2A atmosphere of peer support, parent support and student exceptionality!”

The community has supported Ms. Seidlitz and she has seen the positive attitudes, “Many things I have planned could not have been done without the help and support of the community and parents. I would like take this opportunity to thank all who have been there for the Italy Art Department and the Italy Agriculture Department.”

According to Marilyn, Italy has opportunity to become a strong member of the FFA community, "This takes consistency, support from the School Board, administration, parents and the community. With the right agriculture educator in this position, the program could be one of the best in 5 years. The town of Italy is in the middle of agriculture with many students growing up in agriculture. Unfortunately, these students are not majoring in agriculture at the collegiate level, in order to come home and continue the tradition. As and agriculture educator, this concerns me for as a the number of family farms decrease we will never get them back. The numbers of agriculture educators graduating from college are at an all time low, which is putting a strain ont eh programs throughout the state. For the number of FFA students continue to grow but cutbacks are limiting the number of teachers per program.

“As for the FFA seniors of 2012, I would like to remind them to remember their roots and bloom where you are planted. It sounds corny but it is accurate. Spread the word of agriculture wherever your path may take you. Without agriculture, we do not survive and I hope that one day you will remember back on your FFA years as fondly as I remember back on mine. Even with all the trials and tribulations, FFA was big part of your high school career,” Seidlitz explained.

Ms. Seidlitz is planning on attending the Ellis County Livestock Show in the spring, “County is a tremendous show that allows the students to participate in the ultimate experience that includes family and friends. Italy Jr FFA has the majority of FFA students attending this year. They will be the next group of Italy FFA members to watch. They have only just begun!”