Michael Retallick

Recent Courses Taught

• AgEdS 116: Initial Field Experience in Agricultural Education
• AgEdS 211: Early Field Experience in Agricultural Education
• AgEdS 312: Science With Practice
• AgEdS 550: Foundations of Agricultural Education
• AgEdS 625: Leadership, Administration, Supervision and Management of Agricultural Education Programs

Research Focus, Agenda, and Interests

Study of experiential learning as it relates to formal education at both the secondary and higher education levels. Areas of study include early field experiences, internships/field experiences, teaching and learning in the classroom and via distance education, Science With Practice (SWP), and learning communities.

Research Agenda

• Explore contemporary methods of utilizing experiential learning in the secondary classroom
• Explore/Evaluate the role of reflection/critical thinking in experiential learning
• Study the PERT (Preflection, Experience, Reflection, and Transfer) approach to experiential learning in formal education

Areas of interest related to experiential learning and life-long learning (L3)

• Reflection
• Critical thinking
• Questioning
• Cognition and Metacognition

Select Awards and Honors 

• JAE Journal Article of the Year- Volume 64. Ikendi, S.*, Retallick, M. S., Nonnecke, G. R., & Kugonza, D. R. (2023). Influence of school garden learning approach on academic development of global service-learners. Journal of Agricultural Education, 64(4), 159-179.
• 2023 JIAEE Journal Article of the Year, Taku-Forchu, N., Lambert, M. D., Retallick, M. S., Ulmer, J. D., & Opit, G. P. (2023). Drivers of farmers’ adoption of hermetic storage bags in Ghana. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 30(2), 116-136.  
• Extra-Meritorious Service Award, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Iowa State University, 2023
• Golden Owl Award, Iowa Agricultural Educator of the Year, 2021
• Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Wisconsin – Platteville, 2019
• Fellow, American Association of Agricultural Educators, 2019
• Distinguished Serve Award, Association for Career and Technical Education Research, 2017
• First Runner-up Journal Article of the Year, Volume 55. Smalley, S., Retallick, M. S., & Paulsen T. (2015). Cooperative teacher perspective of student teaching skills and activities.  Journal of Agricultural Education, 56(4), 123-137. 
• Teacher Mentor Award, National Association of Agricultural Educators, 2015
• Distinguished Service Award, Iowa FFA Association, 2015
• First Runner-up Journal Article of the Year, Volume 54.  Perry, D.K. *, Retallick, M.S. & Paulsen, T.H. (2014). A Critical Thinking Benchmark for a Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. Journal of Agricultural Education, 55(5), 207-221.
• AgOnline 2014 Teacher of the Year, ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2014
• New Teacher Award for Excellence in College and University Teaching in Food and Agricultural Sciences, APLU/USDA, 2012
• NACTA Teacher Fellow, 2012

Peer Reviewed Articles, Thesis and Dissertations, Technical Reports available at Digital Repository