Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps Prepares Future Educators for Rural Classrooms

Teaching in rural communities offers both meaningful opportunities and unique challenges for early career educators. From small, tight-knit school communities to classrooms that reflect the character of the surrounding landscape, rural teachers often play a vital role far beyond instruction. The Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps (WyRTC) was created to help aspiring educators prepare for that reality: building the skills, confidence, and community connections needed to succeed in Wyoming’s rural schools.

WyRTC joins sixteen others 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 through a partnership between the University of Wyoming College of Education and Teton Science Schools (TSS), the Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps offers pre-service teachers immersive experiences that connect teacher preparation directly to the communities they may one day serve. The work is co-led by Alison Mercier, Assistant Professor of Elementary Science Education and Leslie Cook, Head of Professional Learning at TSS and RSC Hub Lead. The program was established with support from a Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) catalyst grant, the George B. Storer Foundation and the University of Wyoming College of Education Dean’s Office.

At the center of the program is a commitment to place-based learning, an approach that connects classroom instruction to local culture, environment, and community life. This work is anchored by Teton Science Schools, a national leader in place-based education with campuses in Jackson, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho. Through educator-focused professional learning programs, TSS supports schools across the country. TSS also serves as lead for RSC’s Northern Rockies Regional Hub.

For participants, preparation goes far beyond traditional coursework. The program blends place-based experiences, mentorship, and hands-on learning designed to provide a real-world view of teaching in rural Wyoming.

Students participate in immersive school visits across the state, observing experienced teachers and administrators while gaining insight into how leadership, collaboration, and school culture function in small, remote communities. These visits help future educators understand the unique dynamics of rural schools and the important role teachers play within them.

Participants also explore the landscapes and communities that shape life across Wyoming. A retreat week with TSS near Grand Teton National Park allows students to experience place-based learning firsthand while reflecting on how environment, culture, and community intersect with education.

Throughout the year, cohort members gather for monthly meetings focused on community-building and professional development. Participants explore topics such as Place-Based Education, rural school leadership, and insights from the book Teaching in Rural Places (authored by Devon Brenner, Jayne Downey, Karen Eppley, Ann K. Schulte, Amy Price Azano). These gatherings also prepare students to collaborate on a place-based STEM night at Rock River School in Rock River, Wyoming, where they design hands-on learning experiences for local students and families.

Mentorship is another cornerstone of the program. Participants connect with experienced rural educators who share classroom insights, offer guidance, and help pre-service teachers develop their voice as future educators. In connecting with other rural teachers, mentees are able to garner support for rural-specific challenges and explore solutions rooted in place. These mentoring relationships foster professional growth, build confidence, and create a supportive network that extends beyond the duration of the program..

Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps members receive a $1,500 stipend, but the program offers far more than financial support. Participants build lasting relationships with mentors and peers while gaining firsthand experience in the schools and communities they hope to serve.

As rural schools across Wyoming continue to seek passionate educators, the Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps is helping prepare the next generation. By combining mentorship, place-based learning, and immersive community experiences, the program ensures that future teachers enter the profession ready to teach in – and become part of – rural Wyoming communities.

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 Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps and the Rural Teacher Corps Learning Network here.