A PROJECT OF RURAL SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE

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.

I Am a Rural Teacher: Shelby Starbuck - Fredonia, KS

December 19, 2025

Shelby prepares to lead in and out of the classroom

Kansas, Rural Teacher Corps, Teacher Profile, Community of Learners

2026 Grants in Place Awardees

RSC Announces 2026 Grants in Place Awardees

December 17, 2025

Welcoming the 2026 Grants in Place Cohort: Connecting rural classrooms to communities through Place-Based Education projects

Regional Hubs, Grants in Place

Rural Teacher Initiative at University of Wisconsin-Platteville students participating in a school STEM Night.

Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Proud Rural Teacher Initiative at University of Wisconsin-Platteville Supports All Students as Future Rural Teachers

December 10, 2025

UW-Platteville’s innovative model strengthens the rural teacher pipeline through partnerships, cultural learning, and hands-on community engagement

Driftless Region, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners

Menoken School serves about fifty students grades K-8

‘That’s not my job’ Isn’t a Thing: Inside the thriving Menoken School (ND)

November 4, 2025

Dedicated and adaptable teachers create a family-friendly, student-centered learning environment in Menoken, North Dakota

Regional Hubs, North Dakota

Sweet Briar students

I Am A Rural Teacher: Mary McHugh - Sweet Briar, ND

November 4, 2025

Mary shares her passion for designing effective education in a small North Dakota school

North Dakota, Teacher Profile

Sweet Briar's K-1 teacher, Clarissa Kruger, leading a lesson

Portrait of a Small, Rural School: Sweet Briar, North Dakota

November 3, 2025

Connection and innovation are driving the sustained success of Sweet Briar, a small school in rural North Dakota

Regional Hubs, North Dakota

Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: The Mississippi Rural Education Association Uplifts Rural Educators

October 29, 2025

The Mississippi Rural Education Association celebrates rural educators across the Magnolia state

Mississippi, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners

Voices from the Field: Kelsy Sproul - Sedan, KS

October 1, 2025

Kelsy shares how she found herself on a new path through education

Kansas, Teacher Profile, Podcast, Teacher Feature: Kansas

Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: The Colorado Center for Rural Education Strengthens Colorado's Rural Teacher Workforce

September 18, 2025

The Colorado Center for Rural Education is building sustainable pathways, partnerships, and support systems for rural educators across the state

Colorado, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners

School Farm Uplifts Learning, Leadership at Latham Elementary

September 11, 2025

Latham Elementary in Moniteau County (MO) has created a school farm that has transformed learning in this rural district.

Missouri Ozarks

Science Educators Abroad: East Carolina University Opens New Doors for Rural Teachers

September 11, 2025

For the last three years, East Carolina University has provided scholarships to rural science teachers to enrich their teaching through immersive study-abroad experiences in Belize and Spain.

Southeast

Celebrating Rural Teacher-Leaders: National Signature Project Award 2024-25 Winners

August 19, 2025

In partnership with the National Rural Education Association, Rural Schools Collaborative is proud to celebrate this year’s National Signature Project Awardees' accomplishments.

Power of Partnerships, Grants in Place, Mississippi, North Dakota, Place-Based Education