He serves as the undergraduate coordinator for agricultural education and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, preparing secondary agricultural education teachers. His research interests include the improvement of teaching and learning at the secondary level and historical research. He has presented numerous papers and workshops at state, regional and national conferences. Flanders is the author of two textbooks used across the United States. His book, "Modern Livestock and Poultry Production," is the recommended reference for the National FFA Livestock Career Development Event. He serves the National FFA Organization as an associate superintendent of the National FFA Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event.