Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Ivana Gonzalez-Esparza
Ivana Gonzalez-Esparza
Student Teacher
Area of Emphasis: Animal Science
Spring 2026 Final Student Teaching Placement: Atwater High School
Ivana Yareli Gonzalez-Esparza is an aspiring agricultural educator dedicated to fostering student growth, leadership development, and strong community connections through agricultural education. Her passion for teaching was shaped by coursework in agricultural science, agricultural teaching, and leadership development experiences that helped form her philosophy as an educator.
Ivana earned her undergraduate degree from California State University, Fresno, in Agricultural Science and Agricultural Education, with an emphasis in Animal Science. She is currently completing her master’s degree to further her education and strengthen her instructional practices. Academic experiences, combined with hands-on teaching opportunities, confirmed her desire to pursue a career in high school agricultural education.
She completed her initial student teaching at Central High School, where she taught 8th grade Introduction to Agriculture and Agricultural Biology. Ivana will complete her final student teaching at Atwater High School, teaching Earth Science, Floral Design I, and Animal Science. Throughout her placements, she has developed engaging, student-centered curriculum and adapted instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
FFA has played a significant role in Ivana’s professional development. She coached Rabbit Showmanship during her initial student teaching and will coach the Veterinary Science team during her final placement. Ivana has also volunteered extensively, coaching Spanish Creed and various speaking events at the regional and sectional levels, and assisted in developing the AET contest for Fresno State Field Day.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Ivana brings strong communication and leadership skills to the classroom. Her professional experiences include serving as Farm Tour Coordinator for Fresno State’s Animal Science and Agricultural Education departments and instructing lab sections for AGED 150. Outside of teaching, she enjoys going on walks and maintains strong personal ties to agriculture through her godparents’ strawberry farm and prior work with Almendra Farming in Firebaugh, California.
Ivana’s professional goal is to secure a high school agricultural education position in the Central or San Joaquin Region, where she can make a positive, lasting impact on students and the surrounding community.