Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 18 Unit 1 You—The Teacher of Tomorrow Cooperative Extension Service Cooperative extension educators, or agents, are community teachers. They provide useful, practical and research-based information to individu- als and communities. They also provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and small business owners. It is common for cooperative extension educators to coordinate 4-H youth activities and to recruit, train, and develop community leaders. They are professional employees of state universities and receive support from the federal government. Their job duties are varied and include offering formal and informal educational outreach opportunities to com- munity members. Administrative and Support Services Schools and educational organizations need staff to help the organiza- tion run smoothly. District administrators and school principals lead school communities with visionary leadership. They also manage or oversee daily activities. They are in charge of budgets, staffing, and legal compliance. They are often seen as the “face” of the school community and are placed in very public roles. But administrators cannot do it all themselves. Like teachers, district and school administrators need staff support to provide an optimum learning environment for students. Supporting staff in educational organizations is called administration and administrative support. People working in these careers mainly work behind the scenes assisting administrators and teachers with the ultimate goal of helping students learn. Essentially, they help lead, manage, and support the instructors (Figure 1.11). These professionals must also be comfortable working with many people, as a learner, leader, and team member. nd3000/Shutterstock.com Figure 1.11 Support staff, such as this technology assistant, work with teachers to enhance student learning.