Young Educators' Advisory Council

The Young Educators' Advisory Council is a working group of emergent educators from rural classrooms around the country. Members advise RSC on how to support the recruitment, preparation, and retention of young rural teacher-leaders. This includes the creation of resources for rural educators, such as the Rural Teacher Resiliency Guide. Council members come from within our hub regions, and represent the diverse schools in our network.

Meet our 2022-2024 Young Educators' Advisory Council

McKenzie Campbell

McKenzie Campbell

4th Grade Teacher, Hedding Elementary School
Abingdon IL, Illinois Hub

What excites me about joining the council is the opportunity to have a community of other teachers with similar goals and experiences. It also excites me to have the opportunity to help other teachers through their beginning years in this profession by sharing my experiences. There are joys and struggles in teaching and I hope to be able to share all of it.

Read Bio
Sidney Freeman

Sidney Freeman

Secondary Science Teacher, University Charter School
Livingston AL, Alabama & The Black Belt Hub

Joining the Young Educators' Advisory Council excites me because, as a rural teacher, I have seen first hand the struggles that are faced in those first years. I would love the opportunity to give input that would then help future educators in rural settings. My first year was a challenge but I developed several strategies for overcoming struggles. I also would love the opportunity to brainstorm with other teachers and provide support where needed.

Read Bio
Maximillion Frommelt

Maximillion Frommelt

STEAM Teacher, Dodgeville High School
Dodgeville WI, Driftless Region Hub

What excites me about joining the council is that right here, and right now, education is at a fundamental pivoting point. People now more than ever are starting to realize not only the value of education but are starting to ask how it can be better. Voices from new educators hold power and can help to illuminate the culture of education and the complexities that arrive from starting a career as an educator. By having a group of new educators who can showcase how they are changing the face of education, we can not only shine a light on how education is changing, but how we, as the next generation, are leading that charge.

Read Bio
Osbaldo Gonzalez

Osbaldo Gonzalez

3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher, Nyssa Elementary School
Nyssa OR, Pacific Northwest Hub

I am excited to join the council so I can collaborate my ideas with like-minded teachers and improve the well-being of rural school teachers.

Read Bio
Megan Hawkins

Megan Hawkins

Animal Science & Engineering Teacher, and Early College Director, Shoals Community School
Shoals IN, Indiana & Great Lakes Hub

I love networking and professional development. What better way to connect with other educators from across the nation to better ourselves and education from state to state.

Read Bio
Bridget Larsen

Bridget Larsen

Middle School Science, Glenwood R-8 School
West Plains MO, Missouri Ozarks Hub

It is my pleasure to be serving on the council. I aspired to join this council in an effort to give back to the education community, especially fellow rural educators. It takes a special person to be a rural educator, and beginning with a solid foundation and building a strong and healthy network is vital to our success. I look forward to learning from my peers, as well as helping others to the best of my abilities.

Read Bio
Abigail Parker

Abigail Parker

Kindergarten Teacher, Coloma Elementary School
Coloma WI, Driftless Region Hub

What excites me the most about the council is creating connections with other young educators in rural areas across the country. As a first-year teacher, there are many times I have felt alone. Rural areas tend to be less populated, thus fewer people are going through my exact situation. I currently teach in a small community and I am longing for more connections with other educators teaching in similar areas as I am.

Read Bio
Theressa Smith

Theressa Smith

Middle School Science Teacher, Poison Spider School
Casper WY, Northern Rockies Hub

I was on the council for the last two years and I'm excited to grow our Young Educators Advisory family. I always feel so energized and supported after our meetings. I love the work that we do and it's important! Being able to connect with other rural educators is just honestly the best part. Knowing that we are all on a similar journey and can support each other, without judgement, is such an incredible feeling. I get so excited knowing that our work is going to help others on this same journey and will hopefully inspire more to join us.

Read Bio

Strengthening Teacher Retention

Resiliency Guide Logo

Rural Teacher Resiliency Guide

What's the key to making it through the first few years as a rural teacher? Check out advice from teachers in the field.

Young Educators Advisory Council members support projects like the new Rural Teacher Resiliency Guide. This guide features advice from early career rural teachers, teacher perspectives, and advice for administrators and community members to support and welcome new teachers.

Visit the Resiliency Guide

Young Educators Advisory Council Alumni: