Podcasts about rural schools

Can hands-on career training truly happen online? Skeptics argue that virtual education falls short when it comes to preparing students for high-touch, high-stakes professions—especially in healthcare.Amanda Bell, a visionary CTE leader and creator of High STEP Virtual Academy, proves otherwise. In this episode, Amanda shares how she's revolutionizing health science education for rural and under-resourced schools through virtual reality, AI simulations, and hybrid learning models. From virtual cadaver labs to soft skills AI bots, Amanda walks us through how her students are getting certified, career-ready, and more self-aware—all without ever stepping into a physical clinic.Discover how immersive technology can elevate CTE and make career exploration more equitable, accessible, and personalized. Amanda also offers practical insight into building community online, teaching empathy virtually, and using tech to strengthen—not replace—the human side of healthcare education.Episode Links:High STEP Virtual AcademySouth Central Service CooperativeCenter for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC)Host Links:Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.Seth Fleischauer's Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.

Oklahoma is facing education funding freezes from the federal government.Climate change is impacting tornadoes across the U.S.A program to help rural schools is getting its federal funding grant cut.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

Are rural communities really losing out to solar farms? The data tells a completely different story.Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Ethan Loomis, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Strategic Economic Research (SER), to unpack the real economic impact of utility-scale wind, solar, and battery projects on rural America.What you'll discover in this episode:The Economic Layer Cake: Ethan breaks down the three levels of economic impact from renewable projects - direct jobs (construction and O&M), indirect benefits (local supply chain), and induced effects (hotels, restaurants, gas stations benefiting from workforce influx).Mind-Blowing Tax Revenue Numbers: Illinois alone has generated over $483 million in property tax revenue from wind and solar projects since 2003, with McLean County receiving $78 million and school districts seeing $1-2 million annually in additional funding.The Farmland Myth Busted: Learn why the "paving over the breadbasket" argument doesn't hold water - most projects use less than 1% of county farmland, and solar is 10x more energy-efficient than corn ethanol (which uses 45% of U.S. corn production).Real-World Case Studies: SER has analyzed over 500 projects across 38 states, providing concrete data on how these projects transform rural economies without significantly impacting agricultural production.Community Engagement Strategies: Practical advice for developers on navigating NIMBY opposition and building genuine community support through transparent economic analysis.The Rural Reality Check: Why struggling rural communities with declining populations and automated farming are finding renewable energy projects to be economic lifelines.

Tim Clouser discusses reactions from school officials and advocates to Veronica Garcia's win and the broader debate over transgender participation in girls' sports in Washington. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/rural-school-officials-advocates-respond-to-trans-athlete-winning-state-title/ #VeronicaGarcia #WIAA #TransAthletes

In south central Oklahoma, a rural school is having to consider what more than a hundred Oklahoma districts have before it when enrollment drops below sustainability: annexation.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags

State Superintendent Ryan Walters faces push back from new Board of Education members.A bill to restrict wind energy projects gets pulled.A rural school district struggles with the prospect of annexation.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Blue Sky and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

 How can rural schools promote pluralism even in communities that appear culturally uniform? By engaging students in shared initiatives like “Workforce Wednesday” in Union City, Indiana, these schools create meaningful opportunities for social connection and mutual understanding. Their small size and role as central gathering places also help foster strong relationships and a deep sense of belonging. 

Rep. Peter Conlon, Chairman of the House Education Committee. Ken Fredette, member of the Friends of Vermont Public Education. Cheryl Charles from the Vermont Rural Schools Community Alliance, and Miriam Hansen on her trip to Montreal with 50 Vermonters to pursue goodwill. 

Schools across the state struggle to fill staffing vacancies. And while improving teacher pay and retention has been a top priority for the Montana Legislature, schools often turn to emergency authorized licenses to fill the gaps.

There is an increasing prevalence of poor mental health among adolescents, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural students face a tougher situation because access to mental healthcare is often non-existent in their villages. Snehal Joshi, a psychologist and mental health educator who has worked extensively with rural students, speaks to All Indians Matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is passion enough to teach? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jacob Kirksey—Assistant Professor of Education Policy at Texas Tech University—reveals research on the rise of uncertified teachers (56% of new teachers in Texas are uncertified) and the real cost to student learning. Discover why teacher training matters more than ever and how we can fix the broken pipeline in education.

On this episode, we explore the value of partnerships between rural schools and local businesses and how these collaborations can strengthen both education and community. We're joined by a business owner, two community school coordinators, and the president of Wilson Chamber of Commerce to discuss the impact of these vital connections. Guests: Ryan Simons, President, Wilson Chamber of Commerce Krystle Lindsay, Community Schools Coordinator, Clark Elementary School, Vance County Schools Hipp Barclift, Associate Director of the Community Schools Coordinators, Elizabeth City Pasquotank Schools

President Donald Trump signed a short-term spending bill over the weekend. It prevented a government shutdown and outlined where federal funds will go over the next six months. But it does not include money that rural schools have historically used to stay afloat. Also, Shasta County supervisors joined the Freedom Foundation in a lawsuit against a state agency. They claim California statutes violate their free speech rights, and a homeless aid group has created a fund to push back against anti-homeless laws and policies at the federal, state, and local level.

BRIAN LONG-Construction TeacherRILEY CURBOW-Audio Video TeacherHeard County High Schoolhttps://hhs.heard.k12.ga.us/o/hhshttps://www.linkedin.com/school/heard-county-high-school/about/https://www.facebook.com/HeardCountySchoolSystem

Hosts: Rusty Cannon and Taylor Morgan  Rural schools often face unique challenges – things that we on the Wasatch Front don’t think about. Whether it’s dealing with things like teacher recruitment or retention, or things like sports and facilities, rural schools could use some extra love. State Representative Tiara Auxier is running a new bill that would create a new grant program to help rural schools with sports; she joins the show to explain the motivations for it. 

Governor Stitt says he opposes new rules from State Superintendent Ryan Walters.Senator James Lankford puts out a playbook for the federal agency known as DOGE.A new doctoral program in Ada is equipping rural schools to help their students.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Blue Sky and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

Dr. Tony L. Hemingway is the Superintendent of the Fairfield County School District. Dr. Hemingway is an educator dedicated to the academic achievement of all students and leadership development for teachers and school and district-level administrators. During his career in education, he has served students as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As a district-level administrator, he worked as the Clover School District's Chief Human Resources and Strategic Planning Officer.

A judge has ruled that MLG overreached in attempting to force districts to adopt 5 day school weeks.  Paul and Wally discuss the latest from the Roundhouse.  National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores came out last week. New Mexico again brings up the rear.  Tennessee becomes 13th state in US to adopt universal school choice. According to the latest EV sales numbers New Mexico is nowhere near the mark.  SB 139 introduced this session would overturn the Gov.'s EV mandates. Surprisingly New Mexico is not ranked very highly as a retirement destination. Ilya Shapiro will be speaking at an RGF event on Feb. 21.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act has helped fund small and rural schools in areas with a lot of federal forest land for more than 100 years. Now, many schools in the North State could lose funding after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass the bill. Also, President Donald Trump has made promises throughout his campaign to ramp up enforcement efforts against undocumented immigrants. But in California, local law enforcement is limited in how they can engage with federal immigration officials, and the Chico Zine Faire is back and hosting dozens of creators, workshops and food vendors this Saturday.

In this episode of Crime Time, Inc., the focus shifts to Australia and two shocking school kidnapping cases from the 1970s. The first incident occurred in 1972 in Faraday, involving the abduction of a teacher and six students by Edwin Eastwood and Robert Bolin, who demanded a $1 million ransom. Mary Gibbs, the courageous teacher, ingeniously orchestrated their escape. The second case, in 1977, saw Eastwood at it again, this time kidnapping nine students and their teacher from Warren State School, leading to a high-stakes police chase. Both events raised alarms about the safety of rural schools and prompted a nationwide reconsideration of school security, rural policing, and prison protocols. The episode delves into the heroism of the involved teachers, community resilience, and the broader implications for safety and justice.00:00 Welcome to Crime Time, Inc.00:25 The Faraday Kidnapping: A Small Town's Nightmare02:27 Mary Gibbs' Daring Escape03:51 Aftermath and Recognition04:44 The Warren State School Kidnapping06:11 Eastwood's Chaotic Demands06:38 A Hostage Situation Spirals07:35 The Chaotic End of Eastwood's Spree07:55 Eastwood's Capture and Charges08:38 Rob Hunter's Resilience09:52 Impact on Rural Schools12:56 Systemic Vulnerabilities Exposed15:12 Media's Role and Responsibility16:24 Debates on Crime and Punishment17:07 Lessons of Resilience and Hope17:30 Closing Remarks and Teaser Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GNS study found e coli at 20 schools, while other schools had problems with arsenic, mercury, lead and manganese levels. This can mean expensive repairs and maintenance, with more than 400 schools around the country relying on their own water supply rather than a town connection. Andrew King, the New Zealand Rural Schools Leadership Association president and the principal of Oropi school in the Bay of Plenty spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kenya's Maasai Mara is rugged, beautiful, and tough. Values are everything for the people who live in this rural countryside, On a trip to Kenya, I had the opportunity to visit The Mara.  The intelligence and grit of the young people there blew me away! I met incredibly driven young women determined to uplift their families from poverty. Carol Moraa is giving them that opportunity. She's the founding principal of Kisaruni Girls High School and Provost for Legacy College.I wanted to ask Carol where her kids find the motivation to willingly sign up for 18-hour school days. It turns out when learning is a choice, not an obligation, it's possible to build schools where cultural values and community are at the heart of what people do.This...is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Carol and her work, check out:Legacy CollegeKisaruni Girls High School

Today on the show - 0.00 - Scaring The Shit Outta Mel 3.29 - Who Do Ya Trust 11.47 - Betcha Leaderboard 14.29 - Rural Schools 25.14 - Duct Tape  31.20 - Injured Before you Started 40.36 - Brad The Boss Does Pearl Jam 45.46 - Boat Ramp Final Boss 60.22 - Halloween Plans

We interviewed Annette Logsdon-Rodriguez of Proximity Learning and discussed the teacher shortage issues within Rural Education and how companies like Proximity Learning meet these challenges through synchronous online learning. We talk about the challenges of finding qualified teachers to meet the unique needs of rural school districts, particularly in remote areas. This is particularly challenging given the curricular needs of schools around ESL, specific content areas, and ADA. We discuss the variety of supports Proximity Learning provides to fill those gaps. We discussed the ways funding can be used to support these initiatives. This is an excellent podcast for administrators seeking alternative approaches to address talent management and addressing the teacher shortage. Annette Rodriguez Bio Annette Logsdon-Rodriguez joined Proximity Learning in 2022 to focus uniquely on solutions for Public Schools as the Sr. Director of School Partnerships and Sales. Annette is a PreK-16 industry executive with deep cross-functional expertise at the intersection of teaching & learning, innovative technologies and solution development. She brings a comprehensive understanding of effectively providing complex solutions to school districts supporting the combined needs of Human Resources, Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Learning, and Special Education. Prior to joining the Proximity Learning team, Annette has a breadth of experience in the Education arena. She started her career as an ESL/bilingual teacher at Kaufman ISD, a rural Texas district, and continued teaching in Texas Public Schools for 7 years. A growing passion for authentic and meaningful integration of technology in her own teaching practice launched her into leadership roles in several leading EdTech companies including Apple Computer, Teachscape and Frontline Education. She has greatly enjoyed providing and overseeing services at every level of the PreK-16 spectrum, empowering educators to prepare students for success through innovative practices, effective instruction and the ever-evolving use of technology. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-logsdon-rodriguez/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/proximity-learning/mycompany/ Instagram: proximitylearning annette_rodriguez_pli X @ProxLearning @LogsdonAnnette

So far this year, 176 routes have been or are being reviewed by the Ministry of Education; 21 have been cut and 11 have been replaced with different routes or combined with others. Otago schools have been hit hard by the charges, for some came in during the third term. To get Ministry funded school transport assistance, there must be 8 or more students using the bus and they have to go to a state or state integrated school within a certain distance. But the Ministry said the primary responsbility to for transporting kids to school rests with caregivers. Colin McHutchon, principal of Heriot school spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 4,800 students are considered homeless in Nebraska, and school districts can do only so much to help. Many rely on partnerships with local organizations to support student needs outside of school.

What if kids spent less time studying for exams and more time learning by doing, by getting their hands dirty outside of the classroom? This became true in a rural Chinese county, but years later, the education experiment was labeled a 'failure.' But was it really a failure, or a glimpse into a future that society isn't ready for? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushun

As summer draws to a close, teachers across Oregon are readying lesson plans for the start of a new school year. But for school districts in rural parts of the state, budgetary constraints may mean that arts literacy and the benefits it offers students aren’t included in the curriculum.  Since 2020, the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology on the central Oregon coast has been helping fill that need through a monthly youth arts program. It originally served 500 students at two schools in Tillamook County. Oregon ArtsWatch recently reported on the expansion of the program which is launching this fall with a new name, K-8 Create, to serve more than 5,000 students across 17 schools on the coast, from Astoria to Waldport. Ninety-five percent of the students qualify for free or reduced meals and for many, Sitka’s monthly lessons offer the only art instruction they get at school. Alison Dennis is the executive director of the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology. Leeauna Perry is Sitka’s youth program director. They join us to talk about the impact the K-8 Create program is having in rural coastal communities. 

Two Mississippi universities are partnering together to help rural schools achieve education goals.Then, hundreds of rural road and bridge projects have been funded recently, but officials say there are many more that need money to move forward. And from the Gulf States Newsroom; a Dollar General worker in New Orleans talks about the company's $12 million safety violation settlement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Community News and Interviews for the Catskills & Northeast Pennsylvania

In this replay episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Michael Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone out of Premont,Texas. He was also a former principal at Premont Collegiate High School. This is the first episode in a four-part series focusing on rural collaboratives that are developing opportunities for students in specialized career pathways.Some Questions I Ask:What is the Rural Schools Innovation Zone? (01:16)Please tell us more about the three school corporations involved. (07:06)What are the challenges and successes in dealing with the higher education system? (09:27)How do you recommend the funding model to other education organizations and districts? (12:58)What are the outcomes of the zone and how are you growing this? (16:59)How do you address the potential barrier of transportation? (22:01)What about other logistics like bell schedules? (24:12)What advice can you give to school leaders about starting a real collaborative? (26:08)How do you share your story to the community and the whole educational sphere? (27:45)In This Episode, You Will Learn:All about the Rural Schools Innovation Zone (01:31)The participating schools (07:41)The successes and challenges in dealing with the higher education system (09:49)Recommendations for the funding model (13:10)Student outcomes and growth (17:31)Ideas for handling transportation  (22:10)Making the logistics work (24:48)Mike's advice to school leaders looking to start a collaborative (26:17)His way of sharing this story to the community (27:59)Quotes:“Be a champion for your community. Be a champion for the kids that are there that are underserved for a wide variety of reasons, whether it be resources or parity or scarcity, whatever the right word is. The local champions need to come to the forefront [and] advocate for the right things to do for kids. Start with your local school boards, your principals, your students, your superintendents, and then take it to the next step from there.”“You can live in your community and take advantage of other resources and other programs away from your community but come back and still have community pride.”“I'm trying to get to those organizations that reach the older members of the community that don't have kids in school so they can understand what we're doing, because they're the ones going out and voting.”Stay in touch with Michael:RSISZ WebsiteLinkedInEmail: mgonzalez@thersisz.orgText: (361)-522-0261Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:Free Case Study GuideSWPR GROUP WebsiteLinkedInStay in touch with Sarah Williamson:Free Case Study GuideSWPR GROUP WebsiteLinkedInStay in touch with Chad Bolser:LinkedInAbout "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:Transformational Leadership Secret websitePurchase the print or ebook

School districts like Western Local in southern Ohio received millions of dollars in federal COVID relief aid. As those funds dry up, they face looming cuts.

4/16/24: John Pucci: Trump's trial. THE Mash-up: Y@H, Pride Chorus, Children's Choir & The Best Thing Ever. The monthly Comedy Quiz w/ Happier Valley Comedy. Mohawk Trail Regional School District. Poetry & song with Rich & Marisa Michelson & Kinga Cserjési, coming to Bombyx.

Instructional programs for ELLs looks different from district to district and state to state.In this episode of Equipping ELLs, we are delving into the pivotal role of consortium consultants in bolstering ESL education in under-resourced rural areas. Hosted by Beth Vaucher, this episode features education consultants Jessie Bloyd and Natalie Briscoe as they shed light on the consortium's mission and the significance of cadres. A consortium, as explained by our guests, represents a collaborative effort among educational professionals, pooling resources and expertise to address the unique challenges faced by ESL learners in rural settings. Cadres, specialized teams within the consortium, play a vital role in offering tailored support to these under-staffed areas. Through targeted curriculum development, teacher training, and community engagement initiatives, cadres ensure that ESL education is not just accessible but also effective in school districts of all shapes and sizes. Tune in to learn how these concerted efforts are reshaping ESL education outcomes in rural school districts!Resources: ⁠⁠⁠Join the Equipping ELLs MembershipShop our TpT Store

Do you feel like you're running an 'unwinnable race' this time of the school year? In this episode, Steph provides an excerpt of her recent keynote speech for the Lone Star State School Counselor Association Rural Route School Counselors Conference to highlight the importance of self-care, setting achievable goals, and the profound impact counselors have on their students' lives.**********************************Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.Hang out in our Facebook groupJump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)Join the School for School Counselors MastermindThe Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!! Support the show

Show Notes https://www.rushtoreason.com/show-notes/03-27-2024/

This week's episode addresses some of the concerns of educators who seek resources not available at their own schools. Our host, Toni Myers, discusses the support offered to rural educators by Education Service Districts (ESDs) with her guest, Ayla Olson. Ayla is an Instruction Coach with the InterMountain ESD, serving twenty-one school districts in Morrow, Umatilla, Union, and Baker counties. Through ESDs, educators have access to support in four areas: programs for children with special needs, school improvement, technology support, and administrative services.  ESDs are especially designed to meet the needs of educators in rural areas who may have difficulty traveling to distant meetings and workshops. Instruction Coaches in the different areas travel regularly to each school and reach out to educators through newsletters, virtual meetings, and professional development summits. Listeners are encouraged to contact their region's ESD for support (find your school's ESD on the map linked below). The website for each ESD will include a calendar for professional development events and lists of free educator resources. Ayla assures us that all ESDs are open to questions and suggestions for future trainings   Resources: Education Service District  map (Find which ESD serves your school)     InterMountain ESD Instructional Coaches website   InterMountain ESD Calendar of Events    OEA Grow is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network

Season 12 of the OEA Grow podcast takes us to the less populated regions of our state, focusing on the Rural School Experience for Oregon students and educators. Our host, Toni Myers, teaches third through sixth grades at Keating Elementary, a rural two-room school in Baker City. Drawing on her eighteen years of experience in education, Toni will speak with educators around the state who work in rural communities. What are the particular concerns of these rural schools and the families they serve? How can educators state-wide support all our schools?  You may recognize this season's host, Toni Myers, for her work as president of the Baker Education Association in making Baker School District one of the highest paying districts in the state, raising the salary floor for certified teachers from $38,000 to $60,000. Listeners from both rural and urban school settings will definitely want to hear the ideas and suggestions posed by this long-time advocate for educators and students. She and the other educators of this season have helped change the landscape for the rural school experience. 

FEATURE: Governor's budget plan could cost rural schools millions of dollars in state aid

Today, we dive into the heart of the rural landscape to explore the charming yet challenging realities of small rural schools, which may be a lifeline for local kids. How are they dealing with the real struggle of keeping up with the big demands of modern education? Originally, a policy was implemented to reduce the number of rural schools with the aim of increasing efficiency and maximizing resources. What does the future hold for small rural schools now? On the show: Heyang, Yushun & Josh Cotterill]]>

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Michael Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone out of Premont,Texas. He was also a former principal at Premont Collegiate High School. This is the first episode in a four-part series focusing on rural collaboratives that are developing opportunities for students in specialized career pathways.Some Questions I Ask:What is the Rural Schools Innovation Zone? (01:16)Please tell us more about the three school corporations involved. (07:06)What are the challenges and successes in dealing with the higher education system? (09:27)How do you recommend the funding model to other education organizations and districts? (12:58)What are the outcomes of the zone and how are you growing this? (16:59)How do you address the potential barrier of transportation? (22:01)What about other logistics like bell schedules? (24:12)What advice can you give to school leaders about starting a real collaborative? (26:08)How do you share your story to the community and the whole educational sphere? (27:45)In This Episode, You Will Learn:All about the Rural Schools Innovation Zone (01:31)The participating schools (07:41)The successes and challenges in dealing with the higher education system (09:49)Recommendations for the funding model (13:10)Student outcomes and growth (17:31)Ideas for handling transportation  (22:10)Making the logistics work (24:48)Mike's advice to school leaders looking to start a collaborative (26:17)His way of sharing this story to the community (27:59)Quotes:“Be a champion for your community. Be a champion for the kids that are there that are underserved for a wide variety of reasons, whether it be resources or parity or scarcity, whatever the right word is. The local champions need to come to the forefront [and] advocate for the right things to do for kids. Start with your local school boards, your principals, your students, your superintendents, and then take it to the next step from there.”“You can live in your community and take advantage of other resources and other programs away from your community but come back and still have community pride.”“I'm trying to get to those organizations that reach the older members of the community that don't have kids in school so they can understand what we're doing, because they're the ones going out and voting.”Stay in touch with Michael:RSISZ WebsiteLinkedInEmail: mgonzalez@thersisz.orgText: (361)-522-0261Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:Free Case Study GuideSWPR GROUP WebsiteLinkedInStay in touch with Chad Bolser:LinkedInAbout "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:Transformational Leadership Secret websitePurchase the print or ebook

Over the 2020 to 2050 period, Michigan's school-age population is expected to fall from 1.58 million to 1.48 million children. This will fuel a continuation of a two-decades-long decline in the number of students enrolled in public schools. As individual schools confront further enrollment declines and the exhaustion of one-time federal COVID relief aid at the end of 2024, many will face the prospect of whether to close buildings with lower enrollments to ensure their long-term fiscal stability.

Julia Cunningham, the U.S. Department of Education's Director of Rural Engagement, attended the National Forum to Advance Rural Education conference to connect with rural advocates and share federal efforts like the new Career Connected High School grant program. This program funds career pathways and work-based learning to provide rural students with more local career opportunities. Cunningham noted the optimism, alignment, and collaborative spirit across the rural education community in spaces like this. If she had a "magic wand," Cunningham would ensure every rural school could become a fully-funded community school offering healthcare, food, and other wraparound supports less accessible in remote areas. People can learn more by subscribing to Cunningham's monthly Rural School and Community Updates newsletter and emailing her at Julia.Cunningham@ed.gov. Michael Crosa helps people across the US to create, distribute, and monetize their podcasts. Learn more at Chattanooga Podcast Studios dot com. He is also the head of the PodNooga Network which can be found on Instagram and Facebook at PodNooga.

Jan. 25, 2024 - Rural Schools Association of New York State Executive Director David Little warns that the governor's budget proposal is bad news for more than 300 school districts because of changes to inflation calculations and cuts to a "hold harmless" fund.

Small rural schools often face challenges in providing diverse career training opportunities for their students. Limited resources and infrastructure can hinder students from gaining exposure to high-demand, high-wage positions upon graduation. Recognizing the need for a transformative solution, McCamey ISD, in collaboration with three other districts, took a bold step to kick off the Permian Basin Innovation Zone (PBIZ). This initiative stems from the belief that every student, regardless of their school's size or location, should have access to quality career training. PBIZ is not just an ordinary program; it's a Texas Education Agency (TEA) backed initiative that goes beyond traditional boundaries. The program is designed to facilitate collaboration among small rural schools, allowing them to pool resources, share students, and even exchange staff. This collaborative effort aims to create a dynamic learning environment that mirrors the real-world demands of the workforce. PBIZ breaks down the barriers that often limit rural students. By collaborating with neighboring districts, schools can offer a broader range of trades and vocational programs. This enables students to explore and graduate with valuable skills that align with high-demand and high-wage positions in the job market. PBIZ isn't just about providing technical skills; it's a holistic approach to education that considers the unique needs of rural communities. By fostering collaboration, PBIZ ensures that students not only receive quality training but also gain a broader perspective on the career opportunities available to them. In this episode, learn about the transformative impact of PBIZ on rural education, gain insights into Mr. Valencia's journey and his efforts to enhance learning opportunities, and explore Elizabeth Hegi's expertise in education technology and creating innovative learning environments.   Mr. Michael Valencia is the Superintendent of McCamey Independent School District.  He has served in various positions throughout his 22 year educational career. Michael began his career with Pecos Barstow Toyah ISD as a teacher and coach. He is married to his wife Ashley, and together, they share six wonderful children. Elizabeth Hegi is with Kay-Twelve and has over 17 years experience working with school districts in Texas in the Education Technology, School Photography and Yearbook industries. Most recently she partnered with school districts to provide technology solutions to their campuses. She is excited to continue partnering with schools to assist them in creating more unique, collaborative, and effective learning spaces. She has lived and worked in the Houston area most of her life, and now resides in New Braunfels with her husband and three children.   Learn more about Michael Valencia: McCamey ISD Website: https://www.mcisd.esc18.net/ Michael's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-valencia-987b448b/   Learn more about Elizabeth Hegi: Kay-Twelve's Website: https://www.kay-twelve.com/ Elizabeth's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth3302/   Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com. Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/ For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/   Episode 162 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.   Who made this episode possible? Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

Take a trip with Country Life to Auckland's northernmost school, Tomarata School, where kids are found tending to chickens and planting fruit trees.

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Nate McClennen is joined by Sharon Laidlaw, Director of Place Network at Teton Science Schools, to discuss place-based education, a movement that was articulated in the 1990's and now has become a centerpiece of education innovation everywhere.  This movement is rekindling purposeful and agency filled learning experiences for young people. And while not explicitly named as place-based, these learning experiences that are unbundled, project-based, and real-world  grounded in the tools of competencies and personalized approaches ALL fit within the place-based paradigm - using learning to engage the real world around real experiences and challenges - and this approach teaches critical skills that are a priority for an increasingly disconnected and complicated world.  Links:  The Place Network Tetons Science Schools  Sharon Laidlaw New Schools Venture Fund Roundrock Black Parents Association  Gallup Poll  

California has not been spared from the national teacher shortage. The state Department of Education reported more than 10,000 teacher vacancies during the 2021-2022 school year, and Los Angeles Unified School District has 450 teacher openings for this new school year. But shortages are particularly acute in rural communities: Alturas Elementary School, in northern California's Modoc County, is missing a quarter of its necessary teaching staff. From retention to credentialing requirements to logistically impossible state mandates, the problems plaguing Modoc are common among rural districts. We'll talk about the problems California's rural school districts are facing in the new school year and hear potential solutions. Related link(s): ‘No one is coming to our rescue': Inside rural California's alarming teacher shortage Low-income students are more likely to be in classrooms with underqualified teachers Guests: Hailey Branson-Potts, staff writer, Los Angeles Times - who reported the piece, "‘No one is coming to our rescue': Inside rural California's alarming teacher shortage" Lisa Pruitt, professor, UC Davis School of Law - whose work focuses on rural communities Tom O'Malley, superintendent, Modoc Joint Unified School District in Alturas, CA Laurel Rulison, kindergarten teacher, Alturas Elementary in Modoc County

According to the Rural School and Community Trust, 9.3 million students in the United States attended a school in a rural district in 2019. That means nearly one in five American students attends a rural school. Yet delivering high-quality education in these areas can be difficult. What are some of the challenges rural schools face? Which teaching and enrichment tools can enhance rural students' experience? And… How can government officials create better access and equity for students in rural areas? This week, Kevin is joined by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to discuss how we can improve and support rural schools.

Montana has faced a staggering teacher shortage for years, especially schools in rural areas and on Native American reservations. The pandemic brought new urgency and new ideas for how to ease the crisis, including a new program that hopes to inspire the next generation of teachers. Stan Parker reports for Montana PBS. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders