Our Stories
The I Am a Rural Teacher campaign is committed to sharing voices and perspectives of rural teachers throughout the country. Elevating teacher advocacy is a primary objective of this national initiative, and the Rural Schools Collaborative will be working with the National Rural Education Association to share rural teachers' viewpoints with policymakers at the regional, state, and national levels.
Thank you to The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for supporting this effort.

Shawntasia Butler - Morehead, KY
December 15, 2022
Sprinkle Diversity Everywhere
Teacher Profile, Podcast

Crystal Stevenson - Elkader, IA
November 23, 2022
A second career in teaching can rewrite your life story
Iowa, Teacher Profile

Osbaldo Gonzalez - Nyssa, OR
November 17, 2022
Nurturing Hope, Resilience, and Community in Oregon’s Treasure Valley
Teacher Profile, Podcast

Maximillion Frommelt - Dodgeville, WI
October 13, 2022
Young educator inspires innovation at his rural school
Teacher Profile, Podcast

Mariah Garzee - Monmouth, IL
October 12, 2022
TARTANS Alum, Mariah Garzee is inspiring growth & change in her classroom

Christina Musselman - Lake Havasu City, AZ
September 27, 2022
How education comes full circle in rural places
Teacher Profile

Taylor Kilgore and Linda Hooper - Whitwell, TN
September 21, 2022
Rural community encourages deeper understanding through Paper Clips Project
Teacher Profile, Podcast

Vinnie Rivera - McLeansboro, IL
August 31, 2022
Relationships are this band instructor’s leitmotif
Teacher Profile

Jennifer Shealy - Greenville, AL
August 26, 2022
Teaching re-introduces an educator to her rural community
Teacher Profile

Lola Rubio Alberca - Spain
August 11, 2022
Discussion with a graduate from rural-focused teaching program in Spain
Teacher Profile, Podcast

Stacey Moser - Fields, OR
August 3, 2022
Teaching is the New Frontier for this Second-Career Educator
Teacher Profile

Robbin Perkins Askew - Atqasuk, AK
July 12, 2022
Longtime teacher finds renewed purpose in rural Alaska