Alumni Profiles

D. Mitchell Fincham

2004 WVAAE Outstanding Teacher

Enthusiastic, motivated, inspiring . . . these are just a few words that describe an Outstanding Teacher. The NAAE Outstanding Teacher Awards go to agriculture teachers that have kept a tradition of excellence in their program along with the inborn love for agriculture. D. Mitchell Fincham was selected as the 2004 West Virginia Association of Agricultural Educator’s Outstanding Teacher. He will compete with other state winners from the northeast for the Region 6 NAAE Outstanding Teacher Award.
D. Mitchell Fincham was married to his late wife, Cindy, for almost 32 years1. They are the parents of four children and two grand children (The third grandchild is expected in September.).
Mr. Fincham has been an agriculture education teacher for 32 years. He began his teaching career at Charles Town Junior High School in July of 1972, went to Point Pleasant Vocational Center in July of 1975, and moved back to Charles Town Jr. HS in January of 1976. He moved from there to Jefferson High School in July of 1983 where he is currently employed. The Jefferson County High School program consists of the 9th Grade Complex and three Middle Schools, and a comprehensive high school. The program employs five teachers.

Mitch has received numerous awards over his teaching career including both the Honorary WV State and American FFA Degrees; Teacher of the Year for Jefferson High School; and the West Virginia Southern States Leadership Award. His students have been active in local, state, and national events. Numerous State and American FFA Degrees and Top Six National Chapter awards provide evidence of their accomplishments. Five of his students have gone on to teach agricultural education.
In addition to his teaching career, Mr. Fincham has taken the time to serve the local community and his profession on the state and national levels. His service activities have included service on the Jefferson County Fair Board, Chairman of the Jefferson County Fair Youth Agriculture Division, judged the Preliminary National FFA Creed Contest, and served as President of the West Virginia Agricultural Teachers Association.

Mr. Fincham’s advice to the profession is reflected in the following statement: “I have always believed that we need to place our students in a position to succeed and to encourage them to achieve their goals. I was very fortunate for the last 32 years to have someone who believed in me and wanted me to be happy and successful with my career. If you do not have someone who believes in you, you will not take pleasure in those little things in life which keeps you focused. Remember, you must balance your career and family to be a truly well rounded individual and you must keep your faith strong in God.”
 

1Cindy Fincham passed away June 25, 2004)
D. Mitchell Fincham is an agricultural education teacher at Jefferson County High School, Shenandoah Junction, WV. He received Bachelor of Science (1971) and Master of Science (1986) degrees in Agricultural Education from West Virginia University.