Kathryn Gelb Leads the Next Generation at Mulberry High
by SHAYLYNN MARKS
Hats off to Mulberry High School’s Kathryn Gelb, who was named the 2024 Polk County Farm Bureau Agriculture Teacher of the Year!
The seeds of Gelb’s journey into agriculture education were planted when she was in middle school, thanks to the influence of a dedicated teacher and a family legacy rooted in the field.
“My middle school teacher was actually the one who sparked it in me. That, and my granddaddy was an ag teacher who taught at Bartow. I followed in his footsteps.”
Recognized for her commitment and achievements, Gelb was caught off guard when she learned she had won the award.
“I couldn’t believe it!” Gelb says. “It’s a really big honor to me. I was like, they wanted me for this? That felt so awesome.”
For Gelb, the honor comes on the heels of another notable recognition — the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Early Career Award. Jessica Anderson, Assistant Director of Agriculture Education for Polk County Public Schools, says Gelb’s accomplishments made her an obvious choice for the local honor as well.
“This competitive award showcases the hard work and dedication that Mrs. Gelb has put in as an agricultural educator in her first several years of teaching,” Anderson says. “Being named for this award made her an easy choice to be recognized as the Polk County Ag Teacher of the Year.”
At Mulberry High School, Gelb leads with passion, vision, and an emphasis on real-world connection. She sees agricultural education as not just about careers but about raising capable, conscientious people.
“I want to raise kids that are going to be good people whenever they grow up,” Gelb says. “I want them to be an informed consumer and know how they are getting their food.”
She recalls one recent moment in class that underscored just how vital that mission is.
“I had a kid the other day, he was joking with me and he was like, ‘Gelb, why do we even need farmers when we have Publix?’ And I was like, yeah … you think it’s funny, but people actually think that way.”
For Gelb, the classroom is just the beginning. Her strategy centers on letting students get their boots dirty.
“I believe in a lot of hands-on learning,” she says. “I think that’s the best way to do it — just get in there and do it. Even if you’re going to fail, at least you tried.”
Mulberry’s 27-acre land lab gives students ample opportunity to do just that. Under Gelb’s guidance, they have built a school-based enterprise with chickens, brought in six chapter animals for students to raise and show, and qualified for statewide recognition.
“I had my first FFA team go to a state contest this year,” Gelb says. “We have been named as one of Florida’s Finest Chapters the past two years, so that’s been really awesome.”
For Gelb, the award isn’t just a milestone, it’s motivation.
“Number one, it’s such an inspiration,” she says. “It’s also about the recognition for me. Everybody has the days where they feel like they’re lacking, and then something like this happens, and it’s reassuring.”
Still early in her career, Gelb is clear-eyed about what comes next. “I just want to keep growing and be a better, more effective teacher every year,” she says. “Agriculture changes every day. I have to change with it.”
That evolving landscape also drives her long-term vision for the future of ag education.
“We have to feed more people right now with less land,” she says. “I want to inspire more people to get involved in ag, but also biotechnology and the future of how we’re going to feed more people with less and less land.”
Anderson praises the impact Gelb has already made in her short time at Mulberry.
“Mrs. Gelb has great rapport with her students, allowing her to challenge and excite them about agricultural opportunities,” Anderson says. “She is well qualified for her position and has already made a lasting impact on the Mulberry agricultural program and Mulberry community.”
“I am proud to have her as part of the Polk County agricultural educator family,” she adds.
With contagious energy, deep roots in the ag world, and a growing list of accomplishments, Gelb’s work grows more than crops and livestock. Her work grows minds ready to lead the fields of tomorrow.