Our Stories

The Rural Schools Collaborative is committed to changing the rural narrative.

Rural Teacher Corps member assisting a student with a project.

Preparing Teachers for Rural Wyoming: Voices from the Field

January 28, 2026

In this blog, hear from 3 WY Rural Teacher Corps (RTC) members who completed their student teaching in the fall of 2025 and graduated in December 2025 about their experiences in the Corps and with rural teaching.

Power of Partnerships, Northern Rockies, Place-Based Education, Rural Teacher Corps

I Am a Rural Teacher: Kailyn Hoesman - Monmouth, IL

January 28, 2026

Kailyn celebrates Place- Based learning in rural schools and communities

Illinois, Rural Teacher Corps, Teacher Profile, Community of Learners

I Am a Rural Teacher: Shelby Starbuck - Fredonia, KS

December 19, 2025

Shelby prepares to lead in and out of the classroom

Kansas, Rural Teacher Corps, Teacher Profile, Community of Learners

2026 Grants in Place Awardees

RSC Announces 2026 Grants in Place Awardees

December 17, 2025

Welcoming the 2026 Grants in Place Cohort: Connecting rural classrooms to communities through Place-Based Education projects

Regional Hubs, Grants in Place

Students participating in a workshop

When Classrooms Meet Communities: Speaker series uplifts students, teachers in Appalachia

December 16, 2025

With the help of Building Bridges to Careers, Ohio University rural teacher candidates brought local professionals into PK-12 classrooms, helping students – and themselves – see new possibilities

Regional Hubs, Ohio, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners

Rural Teacher Initiative at University of Wisconsin-Platteville students participating in a school STEM Night.

Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Proud Rural Teacher Initiative at University of Wisconsin-Platteville Supports All Students as Future Rural Teachers

December 10, 2025

UW-Platteville’s innovative model strengthens the rural teacher pipeline through partnerships, cultural learning, and hands-on community engagement

Driftless Region, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners

Clemson University undergraduate students participating in Creative Inquiry. (Photo Credit: Kasi Hubbard and Clemson University)

A New Path for Teacher Preparation at Clemson University

December 5, 2025

Undergraduates help create Clemson University’s innovative Place-Based Education course bundle

Place-Based Education

Out of the classroom for teachers from across Alabama

Out of the Classroom, Into Cahaba

November 25, 2025

Rural Teachers in Alabama practice Place-Based Education through the University of West Alabama and Teton Science Schools

Power of Partnerships, Black Belt, Northern Rockies, Place-Based Education

Brandon Broach, 9-12 Principal and Middle school Football & Baseball coach

Eight Years, Big Impact: Celebrating University Charter School in Livingston, AL

November 25, 2025

How a rural charter school is redefining opportunity, belonging, and student success in partnership with The University of West Alabama

Black Belt, GRAD Partnership

Hale County College Career Academy

Breaking Barriers in the Black Belt: Hale County College and Career Academy

November 25, 2025

How the GRAD Partnership and Hale County College and Career Academy are equipping students with communication, professionalism, and confidence for the real world

Black Belt, GRAD Partnership

Montana mountain range and Brian Fogle's headshot

Rethinking Rural: Lessons from Montana’s Educator Community

November 18, 2025

RSC Board Chair Brian Fogle Reflects on Rural Teachers, Place, and Possibility

Montana, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners

Seven of A.L. Johnson's nine graduating seniors

Rooted in the Black Belt: The Enduring Spirit of Amelia Love Johnson School

November 18, 2025

Amelia Love Johnson, a GRAD Partnership school in rural Alabama, leans into the power of relationships

Black Belt, GRAD Partnership