The James Bowie High School ag program will look a little different this year, with long-time instructor Michael Meadows retiring, but returning in a part-time role. Meadows announced his retirement last spring after a 30 year career as an ag teacher. “My first ag teaching job was at DeKalb High School during the 1989-1990 school year,” said Meadows. “In January of 1998, I left DeKalb and was out of the school system for about 4 years working with my Dad in a custom Ag Services business.”
“Mr. Elkins was teaching at Simms and at that time was getting close to retirement,” Meadows explained. “I had people in the community asking me to fill the position and it really made me think about it.” “I knew that if I ever wanted to get back into teaching, right here at home, this is probably the time to do it,” said Meadows. “To make a long story short, they hired me at Simms.” “I will never forget my first semester teaching again, it was September of 2001,” Meadows explained. “September 11th, when they bombed the World Trade Center, has always helped me remember my start.”
“I taught 21 years there and I had actually planned on teaching a couple more years,” said Meadows. “My cattle operation has grown, and about five or six years ago I got in a partnership with a guy where I’m running quite a few mama cows.” “That’s what I love doing,” Meadows explained.
