Our Stories
Voices from the Field is part of the I Am a Rural Teacher project. I Am A Rural Teacher shares the stories, experiences, and aspirations of America’s rural teachers. By highlighting the narratives of veteran, new, and future teachers, I Am A Rural Teacher strives to support an education ecosystem where rural teacher-leaders are front and center. This project is supported by the Rural Teacher Corps: A Community of Learners.
2025 Grants in Place Celebration of Learning
June 17, 2025
The Celebration of Learning spotlights 19 rural teachers who transformed their curriculum with community-focused Place-Based Education projects this past school year.
Power of Partnerships, Grants in Place, Place-Based Education
Eric Nichols - Crane, OR
May 21, 2025
In a widespread community in Harney County, Oregon, the community is the school.
Place-Based Education, Teacher Profile, Rural Resilience, Teacher Feature: Oregon
Ms. Jennifer Pratt, M.Ed. - Houston, MS
May 13, 2025
Houston Alternative School educator and 2024 National Signature Project Award recipient brings place-based learning to life through garden and outdoor classroom initiatives.
Power of Partnerships, Grants in Place, Kansas, Mississippi, Place-Based Education, Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Mississippi
2024-25 Grants in Place Updates from the Field
April 16, 2025
Celebrating Innovation, Community, and Hands-On Learning: How Rural Educators Are Transforming Classrooms Across the Country Through Place-Based Education
Regional Hubs, Power of Partnerships, Grants in Place, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, New England, Northern California, Northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest, Place-Based Education
Lisa Furlong - Ukiah, CA
February 17, 2025
From a young child not ready for school to becoming a lifelong learning advocate, Lisa Furlong shares that her community is why she put down teaching roots in rural California.
Regional Hubs, Northern California, Teacher Profile, Gratitude, Teacher Feature: California
Scott Simmons - Pineland, TX
December 11, 2024
Scott Simmons shares what makes Pineland, TX so special.
Teacher Profile, Podcast, Teacher Feature: Texas, ETX
Tammie Hodnett Marlow – Cleveland, MS
November 21, 2024
Highlighting the innovative programs created and led by Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year winner, Tammie Hodnett Marlow, the award winning science teacher at Cleveland Central Middle School in Cleveland, MS.
Regional Hubs, Power of Partnerships, Kansas, Mississippi, Place-Based Education, Local Philanthropy, Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Mississippi
Amanda Bedell - Charlevoix County, MI
October 8, 2024
A Michigan island serves as a classroom where the school is the community.
Regional Hubs, Indiana & Great Lakes, Place-Based Education, Teacher Profile, Rural Resilience, Teacher Feature: Michigan
Connie Skrmetta - Delisle, MS
August 20, 2024
Highlighting the innovative programs created and led by Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year winner, Connie Skrmetta, the Health and Physical Education Teacher at DeLisle Elementary School in DeLisle, MS.
Regional Hubs, Power of Partnerships, Kansas, Mississippi, Place-Based Education, Local Philanthropy, Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Mississippi
Todd Willis - Tate County, MS
July 9, 2024
Highlighting the innovative programs created and led by Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year winner, Todd Willis, an innovative 3rd grade Teacher at Coldwater Elementary School in Tate County, MS.
Regional Hubs, Kansas, Mississippi, Place-Based Education, Local Philanthropy, Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Mississippi
2024 Grants in Place Celebration of Learning
June 20, 2024
The Celebration of Learning features 17 rural teachers who were awarded grants to do a Place-Based Education project that connected their classrooms and communities.
Regional Hubs, Power of Partnerships, Grants in Place, Place-Based Education, Local Philanthropy
Reciprocity Project Update: Tregaron, Wales
June 17, 2024
Hannah Omerod and her students from Henry Richard School in Tregaron, Wales introduce themselves.