Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Lorena Cortes
Lorena Cortes
Student Teacher
Area of Emphasis: Animal Science
Spring 2026 Final Student Teaching Placement: Central High School
Lorena Cortes has always aspired to become an educator. Although she initially planned to pursue music education, her path shifted during high school when she enrolled in agriculture classes. Through participation in FFA, she developed a strong passion for agricultural education. She showed animals, served as a chapter officer, completed floral design courses, and competed in several Career Development Events (CDEs). These experiences not only strengthened her agricultural knowledge but also solidified her desire to teach.
She earned her Associate’s degree in Agriculture Education, during which she took additional coursework in forestry. These classes deepened her appreciation for agriculture education and highlighted the importance of natural resources within the field. She later completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno, in Agriculture Education with a specialization in Animal Science. Her early experiences in floral design and livestock exhibition inspired her to bridge the gap between agricultural education and traditional academic subjects. She often found that her peers were surprised by the skills and knowledge she had gained through agricultural programs. experiences that felt routine to her but demonstrated the depth and rigor of agricultural education.
Lorena completed her student teaching at Sanger High School and Central High School, where she taught courses including Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics, Soils, Agricultural Biology, and Floral Design. She has also had opportunities to co-coach speaking and pruning teams, further developing her leadership and instructional skills. Prior to student teaching, she gained valuable teaching experience through the Fresno Discovery Center and Fresno Valley Apprenticeship Connections, where she worked with students in hands-on and career focused learning environments.
Before pursuing agriculture education, Lorena attended Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, where she studied Non-Destructive Testing. This training, comparable to advanced welding inspection, strengthened her technical expertise, attention to detail, safety awareness, and problem-solving skills which are qualities she now brings into her agricultural classroom.
Outside of her professional work, Lorena values spending time with friends and family as a way to maintain balance in her busy life. She is also committed to community service and volunteers when possible. One notable experience includes working with the Sierra Resource Conservation District, where she assisted with translating and supporting community members during hedgerow planting projects. These experiences reflect her dedication to service, education, and community engagement.