By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Four college students majoring in agricultural education were awarded the Spring 2026 Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

The scholarship recipients include:

  • Monique Gonzalez, Sam Houston State University;
  • Haley Leita, Stephen F. Austin State University;
  • Makayla Miles, Texas Tech University; and
  • Britni Roberts, Texas Tech University.

Since 2018, TFB has been helping students like Gonzalez, Leita, Miles and Roberts with financial expenses during the semester through the Mio Balko Scholarship.

It was renamed the Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship in 2021 after the late Mia Balko, who was the associate director of Youth Outreach and administered the scholarship program for TFB. Prior to joining TFB, Balko was an agricultural science teacher for many years.

“The semester of off-campus student teaching is vital for students. Working side-by-side with a veteran ag teacher and learning hands-on how a classroom operates, helps prepare them for their future career as an agricultural science teacher,” Mckenna Bush, Texas Farm Bureau Leadership Coordinator said. “We believe each of these students will honor Mia Balko’s legacy and passion as they begin their career in agricultural education.”

The scholarship will assist the students in the spring semester during their off-campus student teaching experience.

Many students must travel or move for their semester as student teachers. The scholarship helps support students financially.

“Much of their time is devoted to their students and schoolwork, and these student teachers often do not have time for a job. This scholarship helps support students completing their student teaching requirement by helping alleviate the financial challenges they face preparing for a future in agricultural education,” Bush said.

Four scholarships will also be awarded in June to agricultural education seniors going into their student teaching semester in fall 2026. Those applications are due March 2.

More information on scholarship eligibility can be found at texasfarmbureau.org/scholarships.