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

The Mississippi Rural Education Association (MSREA) is a partnership between Mississippi State University (MSU) and William Carey University (WCU), created to advance rural education in Mississippi. MSREA is the MS state affiliate of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), a national organization committed to championing the needs and strengths of rural schools across the United States. Co-chaired by Dr. Devon Brenner, Director of the Mississippi State University Social Science Research Center, and Dr. Patti Permenter, Associate Professor in the School of Education at William Carey University and Associate Director of The Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools (PREPS), MSREA is guided by leaders deeply invested in advancing rural education throughout Mississippi. MSREA anchors Rural Schools Collaborative’s Mississippi Hub.

MRSRA joins sixteen other programs in the Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners, designed to strengthen rural teacher pipelines through local partnerships and place-based strategies, the initiative brings together rural education leaders, teacher preparation programs, and philanthropic partners in a shared effort to support rural schools. The Community of Learners is supported by generous grants from ECMC Foundation and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

MSREA operates under the broader mission of the NREA and works to celebrate the unique strengths of rural education in Mississippi while promoting excellence in teaching and learning. In addition to fostering collaboration among Mississippi educators, MSREA facilitates connections with rural education professionals and advocates across the country.

Membership in MSREA offers benefits designed to support educators, administrators, and advocates. These include opportunities to collaborate with post-secondary educators and nonprofit organizations focused on strengthening rural education in Mississippi. Members are invited to attend the PREPS Partnership Conference, which features a dedicated strand of sessions focused on rural education.

MSREA also encourages recognition of excellence through opportunities to nominate outstanding individuals and schools for awards such as the Mississippi Rural Teacher of the Year, and members receive legislative updates relevant to rural education via MSREA's Facebook page and newsletters. MSREA holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the PREPS Partnership Conference, bringing members together to reflect on progress, share ideas, and plan for the future.

The strength of MSREA lies in its partnerships, particularly with the Mississippi State University Social Science Research Center and William Carey University’s School of Education. Together, these institutions provide a robust network of support, offering resources and expertise that enhance the capacity of educators across the state. Through this collaboration, MSREA continues to be a vital force in supporting and advancing rural education in Mississippi.

Within the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State, the Rural Education Research and Initiatives Lab works to conduct and promote rural education research, collaborate with scientists and other scholars to promote education research, practice, and outreach, promote evidence-based education policy making, and develop new initiatives to support education outcomes. Dr. Brenner, who is a co-author of the textbook Teaching in Rural Places: Thriving in Classrooms, Schools, and Communities is working to support teacher educators in addressing rural teaching in teacher preparation.

“Rural teachers often have unique opportunities in rural schools--from building strong connections with families to fostering Place-Based Education and outdoor learning to wearing multiple hats such as teaching multiple subjects and courses rather than the same thing over and over all day long. Teacher preparation can promote rural teaching and prepare teachers for challenges that come from working in smaller schools such as staying connected to peers and mentors beyond your school or identifying local resources to support teaching and learning. MSREA is working to promote rural teaching through partnerships with teacher preparation” said Brenner.

In partnership, the team at William Carey University work to build on collaborative relationships and statewide success in uplifting rural education through a Grow-Your-Own Program and a Teacher Assistant Waiver. The MSREA team is forging new partnerships with teacher preparation programs across the state and with the Mississippi Department of Education to raise awareness of rural education and promote new programs to address the need for teachers in Mississippi’s rural schools.

Organizations like MSREA are a reminder of the incredible potential that lies within regional education communities and the power of partnership to bring that potential to life. By uplifting rural educators, fostering homegrown talent, and championing place-based solutions, Rural Teacher Corps organizations like MSREA are not only strengthening the educator pipeline but also transforming what’s possible for students and education across Mississippi.

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 Mississippi Rural Education Association and the Rural Teacher Corps Learning Network here.