Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Melissa Iniguez
Melissa Iniguez
Student Teacher
Area of Emphasis: Animal Science
Spring 2026 Final Student Teaching Placement: Exeter High School
Melissa Iniguez developed an interest in agricultural education through the influence of her high school agriculture teachers, whose passion for teaching and commitment to student engagement inspired her to pursue a career in the field.
Educational Background
Melissa completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Animal Science. One course that had a significant impact on her academic and professional development was Introduction to Beef, taught by Mr. Person, which strengthened her interest in animal science and agricultural instruction.
Teaching Experience
During the previous semester, Melissa completed her initial student teaching placement at Golden West High School in Visalia. For her final student teaching experience, she will be placed at Exeter High School in Exeter, where she will continue to build her instructional skills and classroom experience.
FFA Involvement
Throughout her high school involvement in FFA, Melissa was inspired by the inclusive and supportive learning environments created by her agriculture teachers. Their teaching approaches and mentorship played a key role in shaping her teaching philosophy and professional goals.
Skills and Specializations
Melissa specializes in animal science and has experience teaching two animal science courses during her student teaching placement at Golden West High School. At Exeter High School, she will be teaching Plant Science, Agricultural Biology, Floral Design, and Animal Science. She has developed strong classroom leadership skills, including effective time management, classroom organization, and the ability to work with diverse groups of students.
Future Goals
Upon completing her final student teaching experience, Melissa’s goal is to become an agricultural education teacher and make a meaningful difference in the classroom. She is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe learning environment where all students feel supported and valued.
Personal Interests
In her personal time, Melissa enjoys baking, spending time with family, and traveling. She comes from an agricultural background, as her parents operate an agricultural business providing manure spreading services for dairies. Additionally, her involvement in both 4-H and FFA has allowed her to build lasting connections within the agricultural community.