WOODBURY– From the suburban streets to the heart of agriculture, her path was anything but ordinary. When in high school, she used to be known more for dance then dirt, where she navigated a struggle of favoritism, over passion. With each twist of fate, from being an overshadowed student to teaching what used to just be a dream.

“My production teacher was very known for favoritism and ‘the chosen ones’ and I was not one of them,” Gorman reflected. “I actually got a lot of flack from my production teacher and other students because I was such an avid competitive dancer, and that’s what I was known for, not agriculture in the slightest.”

During her high school years at Nonnewaug, she navigated the spirited world of FFA with a quiet dedication. She was a member of CDE teams, not quite in the spotlight but always ready to step in as an alternate. To some, she didn’t fully express the image of the standard “FFA kid” nor someone who took the reins of leadership or competed at nationals. Yet, she brought a unique perspective, shaped by her suburban roots and embracing in her family’s farm life. But without a doubt she wanted to teach kids the wonders of agriculture.

“I was a suburban kid that was around family farms but never lived on one,” Gorman added. “But, when I was graduating there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be an agriscience teacher.”

With passion and determination, Gorman looked into a college that offered academic flexibility, ultimately choosing the University of New Hampshire for its Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program. This choice provided her the ideal foundation for her dream of teaching, allowing her to add an educational path to her aspirations. With each course, she built the framework of her future career, mixing opportunity with her desire to inspire the next generation.

“I chose UNH because of its strong agricultural program and hands-on learning opportunities that connected farming, food systems, and sustainability and I was very comfortable with the campus,” Gorman said. “I wanted to build my knowledge to be able to get any AG teaching job to help the next generation succeed.”

After graduating from UNH, she wanted more academic education so she enrolled at the University of Connecticut. Determined to broaden her expertise and gain different perspectives, she then continued her studies at Murray State University. Her educational journey reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence and a strong passion for lifelong learning. Through these experiences, she has learned a variety of academic communities, creating her personal and professional development.

“I earned my first master’s degree in Instruction and Curriculum Development along with my teaching certification from the University of Connecticut – Waterbury Campus because I knew I wanted to become an educator,” Gorman said. “I completed my second master’s degree in agriculture education at Murray State University online just last year.”

To many students, there are numerous parts and achievements of Gorman’s life that are unknown, much like what she did in 2016. During that year she was serving and learning within her community, dedicating her initiatives to ensuring safety and well-being. Her commitment to making her hometown a safer place is evidence to her dedication to community service.

“I was involved in a lot of public health initiatives, in schools, homeless shelters, anywhere in Connecticut that I was needed,” Gorman reflected. “It was a part of my life that showed me I could do anything and made me feel like I could make a difference in people’s lives, reassuring myself I could teach the younger generation.”

After all her coursework, she was able to start her student teaching job at Southington High School Agriscience Center. At the end of her student teaching year she was hired at Nonnewaug as Jennifer Jedd’s long-term substitute for the rest of that school year.

“At the end of that school year, in a heart breaking defeat, the school decided to hire someone with more veterinary science experience rather than keep me on full time,” Gorman remembered.

Despite the defeat, Gorman tried again, but this time was hired at Middletown High School as a long-term sub. She then was given the position of SAE support staff just so the school could keep her around, showing the value in her knowledge.

“I was with Middletown for about two years, still applying for full time positions but constantly getting, “you were great, but you weren’t the right fit” answers to each of the interviews,” Gorman commented.

Because Gorman went to NHS, she knew Erik Birkenburger, NHS Horticulture teacher. At a state teacher meeting Gorman saw Birkenburger and expressed how she was struggling with finding a job.

“I was so confused when I heard she was struggling to find a job. Knowing that she was good with production and technology and was improving the ag program she was part of; it was such a complete surprise that she would be struggling to find a job,” Birkenburger said. “I would recommend her for an Ag teaching job before half of the other teachers I’ve seen.”

A year after, Gorman was offered a job at Nonnewaug as a veterinary science teacher, which is a surprising turn of events considering her position now as the production teacher. But with her getting that job at the time, it ended the stress of not having a job and bringing her closer to where she truly wants to be.

“I spent nearly 3 years going on nine different interviews without much luck,” Gorman remembers. “I eventually reached a point where I told myself that if I didn’t get the next position I applied for, I would need to consider a different career path. Then, unexpectedly, the opening at NHS became available. I applied and was very fortunate to be offered the job.”

With all the struggle to find a job she lands and sticks at Nonnewaug where she is now the Ag production teacher and has been for years. Gorman is able to now laugh and embrace the challenge because it has helped her teacher students to keep persevering even when it gets difficult.

“When I was graduating, I even joked with my production teacher, ‘I’m coming for your job,’ and at the time it was a funny moment we laughed about,” Gorman said. “Looking back, my joke actually came true, and I’m grateful that everything worked out the way it did.”

With all of the hardship through her life she pushed and accomplished her goals, and with all of the knowledge she has gained over those years she is now able to teach it to the next generation of animal lovers.

When emotional moments happen it can be much for some, but for Gorman it shows a perfect real-world teaching moment.

“Seeing a student who was once nervous around livestock gain confidence enough to handle, care for, and advocate for

that animal is incredibly powerful. There are also emotional moments tied to the realities of agriculture – like when students experience loss, illness, or difficult decisions,” Gorman said. “Those moments are hard, but they become some of the most meaningful teaching opportunities about responsibility, compassion, and resilience.”

There is so much rich history that goes into livestock that most people do not realize. Gorman, someone who recognizes it, helps her class embrace the beauty in legacy within animal lineage.

“I look at Delphinium and see Hope, her granddam, who was the cow I learned animal husbandry with in high school,” Gorman adds. “I see the love students have for Lambie and know the importance of preserving her lineage so that students far into the future can see a piece of her when she’s gone.”

Gorman leading the next generation of agriscience students to heights you won’t find at just any high school. She brings thought and character to her teaching, striving for every student to succeed in equal ways. Bringing the love for animals and learning to the table to help any student who is interested in the world of agriculture.

“It’s a very surreal experience to stand as a gatekeeper to so much history and our future,” Gorman said.