North Dakota
Our North Dakota Hub is anchored by the North Dakota Small Organized Schools (NDSOS), an affiliate of the National Rural Education Association.
Our Hub partners, North Dakota Small Organized Schools (NDSOS), represent all rural North Dakota schools, and they work tirelessly to promote rural education in the Peace Garden State. Michael Heilman, executive director of NDSOS, serves as the hub contact for North Dakota.
As a membership organization, North Dakota Small Organized Schools serves as an "effective voice for public education while emphasizing local control."

In addition, NDSOS is committed to the development of thoughtful partnerships that provide benefits to its member schools and communities.
The work of our North Dakota Hub will focus on strengthening the bonds between school and community, rural teacher recruitment and placement, place-based education, social marketing and school-centered philanthropy.
Building Connections and Community

Young educators share their passion for cultivating genuine relationships with their students
As part of the I Am A Rural Teacher Podcast, we visited with Emma Rage and Nick Foertsch, who are both members of the Young Educators Advisory Council.
In addition to sharing their stories about being young educators in two different rural districts in Milnor and Kensel, North Dakota, Nick and Emma delve into the importance of relationship-building and community engagement for their work as teachers.
Emma and Nick are both enthusiastic about their careers. Building relationships, involving the community in the education process, and collaborating with other young educators from around the country has allowed them to reflect on what it means to be a teacher in a rural area.
Listen HereMore news and stories from our North Dakota Regional Hub:

North Dakota Spotlight: Closing the Digital Skill Gap and Expanding Access
The partnership between North Dakota Small Organized Schools and Be More Colorful has transformed North Dakota’s career exploration for students through the power of virtual reality.

2022-2023 Catalyst Initiative Grants: Summer Update
The '22-'23 Catalyst Initiative Grant recipients share about their recent progress developing new Rural Teacher Corps programs

2022-2023 Catalyst Initiative Grants: Spring Update
The '22-'23 Catalyst Initiative Grant recipients share about their recent progress developing new Rural Teacher Corps programs

University of North Dakota Summer Reading Camp
UND is excited to bring camp to YOU!

Michael Heilman, North Dakota Hub Contact, Bismarck, ND

Steven L. Johnson, Lisbon, ND, RSC Advocate

Nick Foertsch, Milnor, North Dakota: Young Educator's Advisory Council

Emma Rage, Kensel, North Dakota: Young Educator's Advisory Council

North Dakota Small Organized Schools

Brian Schneider, Napoleon, ND

Sara Hatlewick, Napoleon, ND

Dustin Moe, Washburn, ND

Cory Steiner, Hunter, ND

Emma Waloch, Lisbon, ND
