A PROJECT OF RURAL SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE & NREA

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.

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: Arizona

Taylor Kilgore and Linda Hooper, podcast logo

Taylor Kilgore and Linda Hooper - Whitwell, TN

September 21, 2022

Rural community encourages deeper understanding through Paper Clips Project

Teacher Profile, Podcast

Vinnie clapping to the beat

Vinnie Rivera - McLeansboro, IL

August 31, 2022

Relationships are this band instructor’s leitmotif

Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Illinois

Jennifer Shealy Headshot

Jennifer Shealy - Greenville, AL

August 26, 2022

Teaching re-introduces an educator to her rural community

Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Alabama

Lola Rubio Alberca Headshot

Lola Rubio Alberca - Spain

August 11, 2022

Discussion with a graduate from rural-focused teaching program in Spain

Teacher Profile, Podcast

Stacey with her students

Stacey Moser - Fields, OR

August 3, 2022

Teaching is the New Frontier for this Second-Career Educator

Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Oregon

Robbin Askew Headshot, collage of photos from Utqiagvik

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

Suzy and Barb in front of Jefferson School

Barb McArthy and Suzy Tomm - Carmi, IL

June 16, 2022

Teaching team shares a rural perspective on special education

Teacher Profile, Podcast

Susan Spiers receives PREPS Teacher of the Year Award

Susan Spiers - Picayune, MS

June 2, 2022

Veteran teacher forges bonds with students and community

Teacher Profile, Teacher Feature: Mississippi