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 works 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 and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for the initial support to launch this effort.

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, Teacher Feature: Alabama

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, Teacher Feature: Illinois

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

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, Teacher Feature: Oregon

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

Kinley Zam - Punakha District, Bhutan
June 24, 2022
Place-based education partnership fosters deeper learning in Bhutan
Teacher Profile, Rural Educators Across Borders

Barb McArthy and Suzy Tomm - Carmi, IL
June 16, 2022
Teaching team shares a rural perspective on special education