Madison Goodlett, a teacher at Leestown Middle School (Fayette County), has earned a regional Golden Owl Award for her work in agriculture education. Submitted photo
Madison Goodlett, an agriculture teacher at Leestown Middle School in Fayette County, is a recipient of a regional Golden Owl Award.
The Golden Owl Award is an honor presented by the Kentucky Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation. The award recognizes agriculture educators for their contributions in helping shape the next generation of leaders. Recipients can be nominated by students, colleagues and supporters.
Goodlett, who began teaching in 2024, earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural education with minors in animal science and agricultural economics from the University of Kentucky. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in agricultural education at Murray State University and plans to earn National Board certification in career and technical education.
While in college, Goodlett completed a variety of internships in the agriculture field with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Shell Affairs Department and the UK Extension Department.
Goodlett’s passion for agriculture started during her childhood when she raised cattle, pigs, sheep and horses on her family’s farm in Spencer County.
Goodlett said the agriculture program at Spencer County also strengthened her love for the field.
“I had three ag teachers. I was very involved. I was the chapter vice president. I was the regional president of our FFA chapter. I did everything,” she said. “Every contest I could, every ag class I could take, I did it. Growing up on a farm, that was something that I really loved.”
Goodlett originally planned to become a veterinarian, but after encouragement from her high school agriculture teacher, Darilyn Hamilton, she shifted her path.
“I loved school. I was always in all AP dual credit classes, so I loved studying,” she said. “I loved speaking in front of people, so she was like, ‘I really think you should consider being an ag teacher.’”
In high school, Goodlett started an agriculture club at her local elementary school and fell in love with teaching.
“They cannot take your education from you. What you learn, what you have through education, no one can take from you” she said. “So, what a powerful thing to get to come in here and teach about the subject that I love; that has been a big part of my life, but also influence students and make connections with them like my agriculture teachers did.
Goodlett said she strives to create a welcoming space for her students where they feel cared for and motivated, describing her classroom as bright, inviting and decorated in pink.
“My classroom is a space where students want to be,” she said. “As a teacher, I think sometimes we forget how important our job is, because a lot of our students come in here and they don’t have that stable environment at home, but you can create it in your classroom.”
Goodlett said she prioritizes practical, real‑world learning and designs lessons that help students understand where their food comes from, how agriculture shapes their daily lives and why it matters.
She described several hands‑on projects she has introduced: managing the school greenhouse, partnering with the Kentucky Castle in the summertime to work on the farm, caring for animals, experimenting with hydroponics and practicing food preservation.
“Everyone needs to know how important farming and agriculture is and how they use it every day, so my curriculum is something that they’re going to need every single day,” she said. “And I think that’s meaningful and impactful, that we get to do those hands‑on things that connect the need to the experience.”
Whether they’re learning plant science or food systems, her students walk away with knowledge they can use long after they leave her classroom.
Goodlett also emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity in agriculture.
Her students hatch chickens, make ice cream and create bouncy balls from corn‑based products. They also grow lettuce using a hydroponic tower, make pickles to learn food preservation and dissect plants to study their structures.
Each project introduces a different aspect of agriculture, from animal science to food production.
Goodlett also incorporates community service into her curriculum, including crafting dog toys for the local Humane Society, organizing a T‑shirt drive and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during the holidays.
“My students not only know how important agriculture is, but they also know about giving back to their communities,” she said.
When Goodlett reflected on receiving the Golden Owl Award, she described the moment as both professionally validating and personal.
“I was so shocked. I think I am the youngest, or one of the youngest, Golden Owl winners, which is so humbling,” she said. “So thankful, I can’t even express, because over the past several years, I’ve seen ag teachers that I’ve looked up to receiving the Golden Owl. So, it was really a full‑circle moment to see that I was that for other students.”
Professionally, Goodlett said the award confirmed her hard work and showed she is on the right path.
“It proved that I was doing the right thing and doing a good job at my job, because I really take a lot of pride in what I bring into this classroom,” she said.
Goodlett said the support from her community and students reinforced her belief that she is making a difference and motivated her to continue building a program that challenges, supports and inspires her students.
“It was the push that I needed to know that I was making a difference,” she said.
Goodlett plans to continue expanding her program with new hands‑on opportunities that allow students to learn and impact their community.
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