Our Stories
Rural Schools Collaborative is committed to changing the rural narrative.
Remembering Larry G. Lee
June 29, 2026
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Larry Lee, longtime RSC advocate, board member, and friend.
Rural Education Summit Brings Education Leaders Together to Strengthen Rural Schools and Communities
June 29, 2026
Educators, higher education leaders, nonprofit partners, and community advocates gathered with Rural Schools Collaborative in Madison, Wisconsin to share innovative strategies, build relationships, and advance solutions that support thriving rural schools, educators, and communities across the country.
Community of Learners
Mississippi Rural Education Association Honors 2025-26 Rural Teachers of the Year
June 18, 2026
Four rural teachers from across rural Mississippi received this prestigious award, honoring a lifetime of excellence and dedication in the classroom.
Regional Hubs, Mississippi
Tuning into Tradition: Rural Fourth Graders Explore Business and Community in Iowa
June 17, 2026
Matt Beatty, fourth grade teacher from Iowa and a 2025-26 Grants in Place recipient, created a podcast series and outdoor learning space to strengthen community connections
Grants in Place, Iowa
2026 Grants in Place Project Spotlight: Community Garden - Tonica, IL
June 16, 2026
Pam Schneider teaches K-8 students about gardening, sustainability, and real-world concepts through a community garden
Grants in Place, Illinois
I Am A Rural Teacher: Emma King & Amelia Woollard, Appalachian Ohio
June 3, 2026
Two future teachers reflect on rural roots, classroom beginnings, and the power of community-connected education in Appalachian Ohio
Appalachia, Ohio, Rural Teacher Corps, Teacher Profile
Belonging in Rural Schools: Elevating Student Voice through the GRAD Partnership Storytelling Contest
May 28, 2026
Students across the national rural GRAD Partnership cohort share what connection, community, and support mean to them
Regional Hubs, Arizona, Black Belt, Missouri, Northern California, Southeast, GRAD Partnership
Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: TARTANS at Monmouth College Cultivates Visionary Educators for Rural Illinois
May 20, 2026
Through place-based learning, strong partnerships, and targeted support, TARTANS prepares future teachers to lead and thrive in rural communities
Illinois, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners
A Legacy in the Woods: How Lodi Students are Reclaiming Their School Forest
May 18, 2026
With the help of the Grants in Place program, awardee Paula Tonn and the Lodi School District are utilizing its historic school forest property to engage students and families
Grants in Place, Driftless Region
Rural Futures Take Root in Latham, Ohio
May 12, 2026
At Western Local School District in Appalachian Ohio, Jennifer Buckler is helping students discover that meaningful careers, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities can grow right in the communities they call home
Grants in Place, Ohio
Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight: Appalachian Future Educators Prepares Future Teachers to Lead in Eastern Kentucky
May 7, 2026
Through scholarships, mentorship, and service learning, the program supports aspiring educators committed to returning home and strengthening their rural communities
Appalachia, Rural Teacher Corps, Community of Learners
2026 Grants in Place Project Spotlight: Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship Through Math - Bushnell, IL
May 7, 2026
Grants in Place awardee Dr. Ruth Owusu-Ansah is providing real life experiences for students through her place-based project and field trip