Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Appalachian Future Educators Prepares Future Teachers to Lead in Eastern Kentucky

Teaching in rural Appalachian communities is both a calling and a commitment. In eastern Kentucky, educators often serve not only as classroom instructors, but as mentors, leaders, and advocates deeply connected to the places they call home. The Appalachian Future Educators (AFE) Scholars Program was created to support that journey, equipping students from the region with the resources, mentorship, and community connections needed to return and teach in the communities that shaped them.

AFE joins sixteen other programs in the Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners, a collaborative initiative that strengthens rural teacher pipelines through local partnerships and place-based strategies. Supported by generous grants from the ECMC Foundation and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the Community of Learners connects rural education leaders, teacher preparation programs, and philanthropic partners in a shared effort to uplift rural schools.

Developed at Morehead State University (MSU), the Appalachian Future Educators program is led by Dr. Kimberlee Sharp and is housed within the Ernst & Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education. The program was launched in 2021 through RSC’s Catalyst Initiative, which provided planning support for institutions to build Rural Teacher Corps tailored to their local communities. Today, MSU co-leads RSC’s Appalachian Regional Hub alongside the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education.

At the center of the AFE program is a commitment to place, recognizing that effective teaching in rural communities is deeply tied to understanding local culture, history, and identity. By recruiting students from 22 counties across eastern Kentucky, AFE intentionally invests in future educators who already have strong ties to the region and a desire to give back.

Each year, 30 scholars are selected to receive scholarships of $1,000 – in addition to other financial aid. But for participants, the experience extends far beyond financial support. AFE Scholars receive scholarships alongside a robust system of mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on service learning. Each scholar is paired with a mentor – either a faculty member or a P-12 educator – who helps guide their transition to university life, explore career pathways, and reflect on their growth as future teachers.

Students also participate in a cohort model that helps strengthen the professional and personal bonds between scholarship recipients across graduating classes. Through regular meetings, AFE Scholars engage in discussions and activities focused on addressing real educational needs within the rural communities across Appalachia and Eastern Kentucky. These gatherings foster a strong sense of belonging while helping students connect theory to practice.

Service learning plays a central role in the program. Scholars design and participate in projects that directly support local schools and communities across MSU’s service region. These experiences provide valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing rural education, while reinforcing students’ commitment to making a difference close to home.

As rural communities across Appalachia continue to face persistent challenges, the need for dedicated, locally rooted educators remains critical. The Appalachian Future Educators program is helping meet that need by preparing students who are ready to teach and lead in their communities. By combining scholarships, mentorship, service learning, and a deep commitment to place, AFE ensures that future educators are equipped to return home.

This spotlight series highlights Rural Teacher Corps. 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 about the Appalachian Future Educators and the Rural Teacher Corps Learning Network here.