By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Four college students majoring in agricultural education were awarded the Spring 2024 Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

The scholarship recipients include:

  • Shannon Anderson, West Texas A&M University;
  • Tessa Barrett, West Texas A&M University;
  • Avery Hall, Texas Tech University; and
  • Ty Williams, Tarleton State University.

TFB created the scholarship in 2018 to help students like Anderson, Barrett, Hall and Williams with financial expenses during the semester.

The scholarship 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 allows students to be in the classroom full-time and work side-by-side with a veteran ag teacher, learning hands-on how a classroom operates and helping prepare them for their future career as an agricultural science teacher,” Bush said. “We believe each of them will honor Mia Balko’s legacy and spirit as they begin their career in agricultural education.”

The scholarship will aid 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.

“At Texas Farm Bureau, we hope to alleviate the financial challenges faced by students preparing for a future in agricultural education,” Bush said. “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.”

Four scholarships will also be awarded in May to agricultural education seniors going into their student teaching semester in fall 2024. Those applications are due March 1.

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