Expanding Pathways: Rural Teacher Corps Community of Learners Visits the University of West Alabama

Rural Schools Collaborative’s Rural Teacher Corps partners from across the country gathered in Livingston, Alabama, home of the University of West Alabama, for a site visit in the heart of the Black Belt Region. UWA’s Center for Rural Education works to address critical issues such as rural poverty, teacher shortages, and community vitality across the South. UWA’s Center for Rural Education anchors RSC’s Black Belt Regional Hub, led by Dr. Jan Miller.

The visit was part of the Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners, a three-year initiative supported by generous grants from the ECMC Foundation and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Designed to strengthen rural teacher pipelines through local partnerships and place-based strategies, the initiative brings together rural education leaders, teacher preparation programs, and philanthropic partners in a shared effort to support rural educators. The Community of Learners joined Dr. Miller and the UWA team to exchange ideas and better understand how one rural place is intentionally building pathways for the next generation of teachers.

The day was filled with innovation, including guests watching a real-time AI-powered teaching simulation integrated emerging technology into online and face-to-face instruction. Participants heard from faculty, staff, students, and alumni, before touring the nearby University Charter School.

Conversations with candidates and graduates of the Black Belt Teacher Corps Teach for Alabama revealed the many different journeys into the profession, with several candidates planning to return to their home communities that shaped them – this time as educators – bringing their experiences full circle. Current teachers reflected on their experiences, sharing that the guidance and support of staff and faculty at UWA made all of the difference, especially to first generation and online students. First-year teacher Trace Crews, reflected, “They’re always there for you. There’s not anything like it.”

Leaders at UWA offered a glimpse into the myriad programs they offer to students and the community, in addition to the Black Belt Teacher Corps program, including: Implementing Novel Stem Practices In Rural Education (INSPIRE), UWA-Teach, GRAD Partnership, the Black Belt STEM Institute, Project REACH, the Boundless Educator Initiative, Teach Like a Tiger, and the Education Innovation Research (EIR) Grant. Each of these programs support learners at different stages and expand access to the rural teaching profession.

This “superhighway” model reflects a shift from a linear rural-teacher pipeline to a dynamic, flexible system, one that recognizes the realities of rural communities and the diverse experiences of the people who live and work in them. Whether a high school student is just beginning to consider teaching or an adult already working in a school or in a different career, UWA is able to provide a clear and supported path forward. Partnerships have been essential in building and sustaining multiple pathways. By working closely with regional school districts and national organizations, UWA has been able to align its programs with real workforce needs, ensuring that pathways are accessible, meaningful, and effective.

The Community of Learners' reflections on the visit returned to one idea again and again: strengthening rural teacher pipelines requires expanding points of entry and meeting future teachers where they are. UWA has expanded the rural teacher pipeline through multiple, connected pathways meeting future and current educators along every point of entry. Together, these pathways form a broad system that is highly responsive to the community it serves. The work at UWA demonstrates that when universities, schools, and communities invest in building these pathways together, rural school districts gain a strong, sustainable network of educators ready to stay, serve, and lead where they are needed most.

Special thanks to the University of West Alabama for hosting the Rural Teacher Corps Community of Learners site visit. Rural Teacher Corps are intentional efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain rural teacher-leaders. These 20+ programs work together to tackle the rural teacher shortage. Learn more here.