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

If you spend even a few minutes with Shelby Starbuck, co-president of ED ASTRA (Education Advocates Supporting Teachers in Rural Areas) at Kansas State University, you’ll quickly notice two things: her passion for rural education and her deep commitment to the community that raised her.

“I am currently a third-year student at Kansas State University, pursuing a degree in education,” she shares. “I was raised in Fredonia, a rural community in Southeast Kansas that instilled in me a strong sense of belonging, service, and community engagement.”

For Shelby, the decision to become a teacher wasn’t just a career choice – it was a calling shaped by the close-knit environment of her hometown. “From a young age, I recognized the profound impact that dedicated educators can have, particularly in close-knit rural areas like my hometown. This realization inspired my commitment to return to Fredonia and hope to serve as an elementary teacher.”

At Kansas State, Shelby’s dedication to rural schools extends beyond merely surviving the classroom. As co-president of ED ASTRA, she helps guide an organization focused on equipping future educators to thrive in rural communities. ED ASTRA is a component program of the Rural Education Center at Kansas State University, which leads RSC’s Kansas Hub.

ED ASTRA is a program which supports students, especially rural students, in completing the K-State College of Education teaching preparation program with the goal of returning to their home district or another rural area to teach. They also travel to rural high schools throughout Kansas to encourage high school students to pursue teaching as a career. ED ASTRA joins sixteen others in the Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners, a collaborative initiative that strengthens rural teacher pipelines through local partnerships and place-based strategies.

“I help organize events aimed at preparing education students for the unique challenges and rewards of rural teaching,” she explains. “These events include networking socials, informational sessions about rural school districts across Kansas, and workshops on integrating STEM in low-resource environments.”

Through ED ASTRA’s outreach, Shelby works to highlight the strengths of rural districts while bringing innovative learning opportunities to communities across the state. One of Shelby’s favorite experiences so far was a STEM fair she helped host at a rural elementary school.

“This project showcased the power of place-based learning by bringing hands-on, inquiry-driven STEM activities directly into a rural school environment,” she says. They engaged students of all ages with interactive projects such as building sail cars and catapults, making slime, and experimenting with egg drop challenges. These activities were designed to spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and introduce foundational STEM concepts in fun and accessible ways.

For anyone thinking about teaching in a rural community, Shelby offers heartfelt advice: “I would encourage them to embrace the opportunity with an open mind and heart. Teaching in a rural setting offers a unique chance to make a deep and lasting impact not only within the classroom, but across the entire community. In these schools, you often become more than just a teacher; you serve as a mentor, advocate, and trusted adult. Be prepared to wear many hats and invest time in building strong, meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues. While rural schools may have fewer resources, they are rich in connection, community pride, and resilience.”

And for Shelby, that opportunity is more than inspiring. “If you're passionate about making a difference and being part of something bigger than yourself, rural teaching can be an incredibly rewarding path and it’s exactly why I’m so excited to begin my career in a rural community.”

With leaders like Shelby Starbuck championing the future of rural education, the next generation of Kansas students and teachers have much to look forward to.

Thank you to Shelby Starbuck for sharing her rural teacher story with Rural Schools Collaborative. Shelby was nominated to share her story by RSC’s Kansas Hub Leads. Learn more about RSC's Kansas Hub, here.

Want to nominate someone or share your story as a rural educator? Fill out our online submission form here.

I Am A Rural Teacher shares the stories, experiences, and aspirations of America’s rural teachers. By highlighting the narratives of veteran, new, and future teachers, I Am A Rural Teacher strives to support an education ecosystem where rural teacher-leaders are front and center. This project is supported by the Rural Teacher Corps: A Community of Learners.