Justin’s 2024 Agriculture
Teacher of the Year

Every year, Justin hosts a contest to determine and recognize the Ag Teacher of the Year. Texas FFA students nominate and vote on this award. Brooke Stewart from Decatur, Texas, is the 2024 recipient of Justin’s Ag Teacher of the Year award.

Brooke's journey is a testament to the power of community, passion, and the unexpected turns life can take. Growing up in Decatur, Brooke was deeply rooted in a community with a rich agricultural heritage, even though her parents weren't directly involved in production agriculture. It was in the sixth grade when she decided to start showing cattle, a decision that would shape her future in ways she couldn't have anticipated.

Brooke's involvement in Texas FFA and leadership activities grew, fueled by her love for animals and the encouragement of her ag teachers, Mr. Rick Elmore and Mr. Jim Allsup. They pushed her to explore every opportunity, from floral and horticulture to being an area officer and a Ford scholar. These experiences formed core memories that Brooke cherishes, surrounded by incredible leaders and a supportive Texas FFA family.

While she originally didn’t feel called to teach ag due to the demanding hours and challenges, Brooke's path led her back to education. Initially planning to attend law school, she realized her passion lay elsewhere. The professors at Tarleton State University were persuasive, and Brooke found herself drawn to teaching, where her heart truly belonged.

Balancing a growing family and her dedication to her students has been a challenge, but Brooke embraces it with love and determination. Her students have taught her more than she could ever teach them, and she strives to be the supportive and influential figure that her own teachers were to her. The impact of her mentors, Mr. Rick Elmore and Mr. Jim Allsup continues to resonate in her life, and she aims to provide the same guidance and support to her students.

At her last school, a private Christian institution, Brooke had the unique experience of chartering a chapter and witnessing her students' remarkable growth. From supporting a student whose father passed away to receiving heartfelt support from her students at her great-grandmother's funeral, these moments highlighted the profound connections she formed.

Brooke's move to Springtown brings new opportunities to expand the floral program and continue building a community of passionate and skilled students. The support from the community and her dedication to creating God-fearing leaders are central to her mission.

Brooke's advice to young teachers is to embrace the learning journey. She believes that the key to becoming a great teacher is understanding that you'll learn more from your students than you could ever teach them. This humbling perspective drives her passion for education and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

For Brooke Stewart, Texas FFA means hope—a hope that her students will experience the same support and family she did and grow into the leaders of tomorrow, making the future brighter for all.