Building Relationships and Sharing Wisdom: Rural Schools Collaborative Visits Montana State University

Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) and participants of the Rural Teacher Corps Community of Learners gathered at Montana State University (MSU) for a day of shared learning, conversation, and connection centered on the future of rural teacher preparation and support. The visit was hosted by MSU’s Center for Research on Rural Education, which leads RSC’s Montana Hub. The Center, directed by Dr. Jayne Downey, is a national leader in teacher preparation, research, and support for rural education. The visit highlighted how rural places continue to inspire innovative approaches to education through relationships and collaboration.

Participants included representatives from colleges and universities, community foundations, and rural teacher preparation programs across the country, all brought together by a shared commitment to strengthening the teacher pipeline in rural communities. The visit provided a space for partners to learn from Montana’s unique context and from one another, sparking meaningful dialogue about what it means to prepare teachers for rural and Indigenous schools.

Throughout the day, MSU faculty and the Rural Teacher Corps Community of Learners exchanged insights about how teacher preparation can be rooted in place: honoring the values, histories, and strengths of rural communities.

Dr. Downey opened with an overview of the ASPIRE (Advancing Support, Preparation, and Innovation in Rural Education) program, which anchors MSU’s efforts to prepare and support rural educators. Dr. Christine Stanton shared insights from the Amskaapi Piikani Pilot, a partnership with Indigenous Nations of Montana that centers community-led educator development.

Later sessions featured Dr. Nick Lux on innovative rural district recruitment, and Dr. Jennifer Luebeck on MentorMT, a mentoring initiative strengthening support networks for early-career teachers. The day concluded with an engaging Teacher Panel, where educators and their educator-mentors from across the state reflected on their experiences in rural classrooms and communities.

The day carried a sense of shared purpose. Whether discussing educator pathways, mentorship, or collaboration with Indigenous Nations, the theme that echoed across sessions was that relationships are at the heart of rural education.

The visit to Montana State University underscored that strong rural teacher preparation is about people, relationships, and the collective effort to ensure every rural student has access to excellent educators who understand and honor the places they serve.

The Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners is a three-year initiative funded by two generous grants. The Rural Teacher Corps learning community includes Established Programs, Emerging Programs, and Project Partners, all of whom are dedicated to the development of intentional rural teacher pathways. Learn more about the Community of Learners here.