By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Four college students majoring in agricultural education received the Spring 2022 Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB). The funds will be used during the spring semester for off-campus student teaching.
The scholarship recipients include:
- Jessica Dykes, Tarleton State University;
- Emily Gwinn, Texas A&M University;
- Nolan Kiefer, Tarleton State University; and
- Jordan Stanford, Stephen F. Austin State University.
“Student teaching is an invaluable learning experience for future agricultural science teachers,” McKenna Bush, TFB youth outreach coordinator, said. “During the semester of off-campus student teaching, these students get hands-on learning in the classroom with experienced ag teachers to learn about classroom activities and the role of an FFA advisor.”
Bush noted many of these students have to travel or move for their student teaching semester, so TFB created the scholarship in 2018 to help provide financial assistance during the semester.
“This scholarship aims to alleviate some of the financial burden for these students who are preparing for careers in agricultural education,” Bush said. “Texas Farm Bureau is doing our part to help prepare students to fill the roles as agricultural teachers and community leaders.”
The scholarship was renamed the Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship in 2021 after the late Mia Balko, who was a former agricultural science teacher and director of Youth Outreach for TFB.
Four scholarships valued at $1,500 will be awarded in the fall to seniors majoring in agricultural education and student teaching off-campus. Applications are currently open and must be submitted online by March 1.
More information on eligibility and a link to the application can be found at texasfarmbureau.org/scholarships.