Former Christian Teacher of the Year Brook Stewart wins Texas-wide ag award

Christian school ag teacher Brooke Stewart keeps piling up the awards.

Stewart, who won the Herzog Foundation’s 2023 Christian Teacher of the Year Award for her work at Victory Christian Academy in Decatur, Texas, was “thoroughly shocked” when her name was recently called for a major Texas award, sponsored by Justin Brands, makers of Justin Boots and western apparel.

“We had our big, state (Future Farmers of America) conference in Houston in June with about 11,000 kids. I didn’t even know I was even nominated or anything like that. I was shocked to find out that I won.”

Students nominate teachers for the award, which made Stewart even more surprised because “teenagers don’t keep secrets.

“The lady from Justin Brands said ‘this was an easy choice. Your kids had wonderful things to say about you.’” 

The company wasn’t shy in its praise of Stewart:  

“Your dedication, hard work, and passion for agriculture education have truly made a remarkable impact on your students and the community. This prestigious award is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and your role in shaping the future of agriculture.” 

Stewart, who has taught agriculture for seven years, is known for helping students gain a passion for it, and challenging those who may assume there’s nothing in it for them. 

“What do you like, because I promise that ties into agriculture in some way,” she tells them. “If you eat, if you have clothes on, if you’re sheltered, it’s because of agriculture.” 

She also likes helping people understand all that modern agriculture entails. While it was mostly farming and ranching in the past, nowadays there’s plenty of technology and research involved, which appeals to an entirely different type of student. 

Moving fast and keeping up with developments is essential, but so are the timeless traits of patience, responsibility and gratitude. It’s also a great way to build community, she says. 

“Building those relationships and getting to have fun while we do it is really something I’m convinced you don’t find in other subjects.” 

Teaching agriculture isn’t just for rural schools, Stewart says. Urban students have built vertical farms, for example, and there are other forms of innovation schools can consider. But “hard work, morals and values are some things that are universal,” she says. “You’ve got to package it in some way that it becomes cool.” 

Indeed, Stewart is packaging agriculture into a curriculum other teachers can use – a project she hopes to complete someday soon. 

“For somebody to teach ag, it’s a whole different world. We work a lot and it’s a work of heart – it will completely fill your heart. I learn more from the kids than I could ever dream of teaching them.” 

Christian schools in particular don’t often have agriculture teachers or curricula, she says.  

“There just aren’t that many opportunities to teach agriculture and career and technical education in Christian schools.” That’s something she’d like to change so that it becomes “more of a staple.” It’s part of why Stewart is returning to teach at a public school after four years at Victory.

When asked why she continues to win accolades and attract attention, she attributes it to three factors:  

“I love people, I’m also blessed, and I have a purpose bigger than what I know yet. I’m not positive what direction that’s going to go in yet, but I just try to pray and listen and trust the plan.”