Celebrating Rural Teacher-Leaders: National Signature Project Award 2024-25 Winners

Through the National Signature Project Award (NSPA), in partnership with the National Rural Education Association, Rural Schools Collaborative provides rural educators with grants of up to $2,500 to implement their visionary Place-Based Education projects. This past school year, Jessica McGuire of Oakes, North Dakota received the Signature award, and in no particular order, the NSPA runner-ups were Colleen Mette of Parkston, South Dakota, and Jennifer Pratt of Houston, Mississippi. These funds not only bring their ideas to life but also amplify the incredible work of rural educators who are shaping the future of their communities.

Jessica McGuire of Oakes, North Dakota -- National Signature Project Award Recipient

Jessica's 7th Grade Business Fair: Fostering Entrepreneurship and Community Connections

Jessica’s project, the 7th Grade Business Fair, has proven to be an outstanding example of authentic learning and community engagement. Designed as a hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, this project allowed middle school students to develop and launch their own businesses from scratch. Over several weeks, students partnered up or worked individually to create 17 small businesses, each with its own product, pricing strategy, marketing plan, and branding.

The culmination of their efforts was a business fair held during conference night, where students presented their ideas to a panel of community members, teachers, and local business owners. They even had the chance to sell their products, generating around $2,000 in revenue. Some of the businesses included “Bubbly Bliss,” offering Italian and American sodas, and “Frozen in Time,” which specialized in freeze-dried fruits and candies. Students were also tasked with paying a booth rental fee and donating 10% of their earnings to a local cause—teaching them the importance of giving back and supporting the community.

This project provided valuable lessons in budgeting, marketing, public speaking, and collaboration. Beyond academic growth, it sparked an entrepreneurial mindset among students, showing them that entrepreneurship isn’t just a big city idea, but a possibility in their own rural community. The fair also highlighted the crucial role that small businesses play in rural economies, offering jobs, services, and a sense of local identity.

Jennifer Pratt, Chickasaw County, MS – National Signature Project Award Runner-Up Recipient

Jennifer Pratt’s "Sow and Grow Sensory Garden" is a testament to the power of nature-based education in promoting students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Located at the Houston Alternative School in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Jennifer’s vision was to create a versatile, therapeutic space where at-risk students could connect with nature while improving their health, coping skills, and academic performance.

The sensory garden isn’t just about growing plants; it’s about fostering a space for students to grow emotionally and intellectually as well. Jennifer’s students are gaining practical, transferable skills that will help them lead healthier, more fulfilling lives beyond the classroom. By interacting with the garden, students are learning to relieve stress, improve their mood, and develop a deeper connection to the natural world.

This project is more than just an educational initiative; it’s about cultivating ambassadors for nature-based education, who will spread the positive impact of this project throughout their community. Through this initiative, Jennifer is empowering her students to nurture not only their physical health but also their emotional and intellectual growth, giving them tools to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Colleen Mette, Parkston, South Dakota – National Signature Project Award Runner-Up Recipient

In South Dakota, Colleen Mette and her students have transformed their town’s Main Street into a vibrant canvas of large-scale murals that celebrate both creativity and community. What began as a small idea for one mural has blossomed into a multi-year project involving local and regional artists, community members, and students. The murals, which rotate every five years, ensure that the downtown space remains fresh, inspiring, and connected to the evolving culture of the town.

This project is about more than just art on walls, it is about giving students a chance to see their own creativity come to life in their community. Students have been involved in the project from the start, sketching ideas, learning the mural process, and witnessing local artists at work. Through this experience, students are discovering that their ideas have power, and that their contributions matter to their community.

Beyond the artistic value, the Main Street Murals project is also fostering a deeper sense of pride in the town, encouraging residents to slow down, look up, and appreciate the beauty around them. This community-driven effort is also creating a space where creativity can flourish, inspiring future generations of artists and community leaders.

The Impact of Place-Based Education

These Place-Based Education projects demonstrate the incredible potential of hands-on learning in rural schools and communities. By engaging students in projects that connect them to their local communities, these educators are creating learning experiences that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and civic responsibility.

Thanks to the National Signature Project Award, these teachers have been able to bring their ideas to life, positively impacting their students and the communities they serve. By empowering students to lead and take ownership of their learning, they are not only enhancing educational outcomes but also cultivating a sense of pride and belonging in the places their students call home.

In addition to funding their innovative projects, RSC and NREA proudly sponsored these educators’ travel and attendance to the 2024 National Forum to Advance Rural Education. This provided them with valuable professional development, and the chance to connect with other rural educators from across the country, further expanding the impact of their award.

RSC is excited to continue supporting rural teacher-leaders like Jessica, Jennifer and Colleen who are paving the way for innovative, community-driven education in rural schools. These projects show the power of Place-Based Education in transforming rural communities, demonstrating that when students are given the tools, space, and support to lead, they can shape the future of their communities in meaningful ways. We look forward to seeing how these educators continue to inspire, empower, and lead their students toward success in the years to come.

Thank you to the National Rural Education Association for their partnership on the National Signature Project Award. Congratulations to Jessica, Jennifer and Colleen for their outstanding work and their dedication to making a difference in their communities!