Since its founding in 2015, Rural Schools Collaborative has been keenly focused on the recruitment, preparation, and retention of rural teachers.
Inspired by the innovative work of Missouri’s Ozarks Teacher Corps, RSC has provided more than $450,000 in planning grants to establish or strengthen rural teacher initiatives. This growing network of programs provided the foundation for the Community of Learners project.
The Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners is a three-year initiative funded by two generous grants. This support underscores the growing recognition that teachers play a vital role in fostering vibrant rural communities. 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.
Established Rural Teacher Corps Programs
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Appalachian Future Educators
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Arkansas Teacher Corps
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Black Belt Teacher Corps
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Colorado Center for Rural Education
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Montana Rural Teacher Project
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Oregon Rural Teacher Corps
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Ozarks Teacher Corps
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TARTANS Rural Teacher Corps
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University of Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps
Emerging Rural Teacher Corps Programs
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University of Central Missouri: Rural Schools Initiative
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East Carolina University Rural Education Institute
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ED ASTRA
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Great River Teacher Corps
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U-Maine Rural Thrive: The Rural Educator Resilience Project
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Mississippi Rural Education Association
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Rural Teacher Fellowship Program
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The Proud Rural Teacher Initiative
I Am A Rural Teacher
Stories of the incredible role rural educators play in their schools and communities.
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Emergent Educator's Advisory Council
Rural Teacher Corps Alumni pave the way for the next generation of rural teachers.
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Voices From The Field
Podcast
An inside look at rural teaching from classrooms across the globe.
Learn MoreThe latest in Rural Teacher Corps
News & Stories
Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Appalachian Future Educators Prepares Future Teachers to Lead in Eastern Kentucky
Through scholarships, mentorship, and service learning, the program supports aspiring educators committed to returning home and strengthening their rural communities
I Am a Rural Teacher: Ava Hollins-Rogers – West Memphis, AR
Resilience shapes rural classrooms and communities in the Arkansas Delta
Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps Prepares Future Educators for Rural Classrooms
Through mentorship, immersive experiences, and place-based learning, the program equips pre-service teachers to thrive in Wyoming’s rural schools
Expanding Pathways: Rural Teacher Corps Community of Learners Visits the University of West Alabama
In the Black Belt Region, 20+ partners share ideas and explore how a “superhighway” of pathways is strengthening the rural teacher pipeline
Further Reading:
Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners Launches at National Summit to Address Educator Shortage in Rural Communities
With generous support from ECMC Foundation and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the initiative kicked off at the Rural Schools Collaborative Hub Summit in Minneapolis
Rural Schools Collaborative Receives $1.2 Million Grant from ECMC Foundation to Strengthen Rural Educator Pipeline
This three-year grant will strengthen RSC’s Rural Teacher Corps Network to recruit, prepare, and retain rural educators.
RSC Receives $585,000 Grant From Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
This 33-month grant will strengthen the Rural Teacher Corps Network to recruit, prepare, and retain rural educators.
An Old Twist on a New Problem: Addressing the Teacher Shortage
Opinion piece from founder and former director Gary Funk