Podcasts about rural schools

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future issue for schools. It is already shaping how educators plan, teach, lead, and prepare students for the workforce. In this episode of The Rural Voice, Dr. Christopher Silver and Dr. Bill Chapman are joined by Dr. Beth Rabbitt, Co-Chief Executive Officer of FullScale, for a timely conversation about AI, rural education, and the future of learning. Dr. Rabbitt explains why rural schools may be positioned not as late adopters, but as potential leaders in thoughtful AI implementation. Drawing from FullScale's national work with rural districts, she discusses how AI can expand access, build operational capacity, support teachers, and help students develop the adaptability needed for a rapidly changing economy. She also addresses the practical concerns educators are facing, including student data privacy, FERPA, AI misuse, teacher readiness, and the limits of generative AI. The conversation offers concrete guidance for school leaders, including the use of red-light, yellow-light, and green-light protocols for classroom AI use, the importance of district-level policy, and the value of allowing teachers to safely tinker with new tools before using them with students. Dr. Rabbitt also encourages educators to approach AI not as an expert replacement, but as a “helpful, coachable, smart, but young intern” that still requires human judgment, oversight, and ethical decision-making. This episode is especially relevant for rural educators, school administrators, district leaders, and anyone thinking about how schools can prepare students for an uncertain future while protecting the human relationships, creativity, and local wisdom that remain central to education.

Treasa Murphy spoke to the principal of Lisselton National School, Regina Walsh, who believes it should be easier for local people to get planning permission to build homes. She says the lack of new homes is affecting pupil numbers in the school, and the school will be making a submission on Kerry County Council’s settlement plan for the Listowel Municipal District.

This episode of The Rural Voice podcast features a conversation with Superintendent Tracy Kingsley and teacher Ashley Wood from the Newburgh R2 School District in rural Missouri, highlighting how a structured literacy coaching initiative transformed early reading outcomes in their schools. In response to post-COVID learning loss, teacher inexperience, and inconsistent literacy instruction, the district partnered with TNTP to implement a coaching model grounded in the science of reading. The approach emphasized collaboration over evaluation, with coaches working directly alongside teachers through classroom visits, modeling, and ongoing feedback. This support led to curriculum changes, stronger alignment between grade levels, and significant gains in foundational literacy skills, including a dramatic increase in first-grade reading proficiency. District leadership played a key role by prioritizing professional development, protecting instructional time, and fostering teacher buy-in through trust and shared decision-making. The discussion also underscores the importance of family engagement, data-driven assessment, and long-term sustainability planning in small rural districts. More broadly, the episode frames literacy coaching as a scalable, high-impact strategy while raising concerns about funding, policy pressures, and the future of rural education. Bios Tracy Kingsley is the Superintendent of the Newburg R-II School District and is currently in her third year in that role. She brings 30 years of experience in public education, including 18 years as an elementary teacher, one year as a reading coach, and 11 years in administration. Her background reflects a sustained focus on literacy, instruction, and school leadership in rural education settings. Ashley Wood is a kindergarten teacher at Newburg R-II School District, currently in her second year of teaching and her second year in the kindergarten classroom. Prior to becoming a teacher, she spent two years working as an Early Childhood Special Education paraprofessional in Rolla immediately after high school. She is currently completing her bachelor's degree in early childhood education and is set to graduate in May.

04/21/26: Dr. Steven Johnson is Superintendent of Lisbon Public Schools and Rural Schools Collaborative Advocate. He calls into "News and Views" to discuss the impact on rural schools from the increase in data centers. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural schools are welcoming extra support from the Government to deal with rising fuel costs. Small schools will receive one-off additional funding, and 70 schools will receive a one-off grant to speed up the replacement of diesel boilers. Mileage support for rural relief teachers is also being doubled. Rural Schools Leadership Association president Andrew King told Mike Hosking it's been hard for country schools to soak up these extra costs. He says having that extra money means they won't have to think about where to pool money from. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Isolated and rural schools are next in line for help with the fuel shock. Education Minister Erica Stanford's announced they'll put $37 million dollars into speeding up diesel boiler replacements at up to 70 schools. They'll also more than double mileage reimbursement for relief teachers temporarily and hike funding for about 5000 students' school commute, by 30 percent. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon also seemed confident at the stand-up, despite growing concerns about his leadership. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Temporary fuel support is being funnelled into keeping rural schools up and running. The Education Minister's speeding up replacing diesel boilers for up to 70 schools. Our smallest schools are getting one-off $2500 grants - and student commute allowances are being hiked 30 percent for 5000 students. Erica Stanford says mileage support's more than doubling for relief teachers at remote schools. "If it doesn't make financial sense for you to go out and drive to a rural school, then you may not choose to do that, and we don't want that, it's already difficult enough for them to get relievers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Northland principal says the Government's latest relief package for teachers struggling with the cost of fuel will help secure more educators for rural areas. Relief Teacher Transport Allowance mileage rates are being doubled, and up to 70 schools will get a one-off grant to replace diesel boilers. Rural schools with fewer than a hundred students will also get a one-off payment to help pay for the extra reimbursements. Kaitaia Primary School Principal Brendon Morrissey told Ryan Bridge he hopes the packages will lead more teachers to consider working outside major cities. He says it will also encourage more training teachers to go to rural areas, which will help small schools struggling with staffing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Upthegrove's unilateral decision to remove 79,876 acres from timber production is devastating rural school districts across Washington. Mount Baker schools face $1 million annual losses, forcing state takeover of finances and 30 employee cuts. Sedro-Woolley's DNR revenue collapsed from $3 million to $150,000, costing over 20 jobs. Nancy Churchill exposes how the Lands Commissioner's green agenda violates the state's 137-year constitutional trust obligation to fund public education through timber sales. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-broken-trust/ #WashingtonPolitics #TimberRevenue #RuralSchools #DNR #EducationFunding #StatePolicy #ForestManagement #SchoolFunding #WashingtonState #PublicEducation

In this episode of The Rural Voice, Dr. Christopher Silver, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, and Dr. Bill Chapman welcome Dr. Daniel Johnson, Professor of Music and Music Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he coordinates the graduate studies program in music education. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience teaching across the K–16 spectrum in public, independent, and community-based settings, Johnson brings both scholarly depth and practical insight to a conversation focused on rural education. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, the University of Arizona, and Emory University, his work spans rural music education, interdisciplinary arts education, and teacher professional development. An internationally recognized authority on classroom music instruction and assessment, he has presented widely to organizations such as the National Association for Music Education, the International Society for Music Education, and the College Music Society. He is also the editor of the new two-volume publication, Music Education in Rural America, as well as other works such as Holistic Musical Thinking and Musical Explorations: Fundamentals Through Experience. The episode begins with Johnson reflecting on his early teaching experiences in rural Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, where he developed a lasting appreciation for the importance of community connection, local context, and the role of music as a vehicle for human engagement in small-town schools. These formative experiences directly inform his current work, including his latest project, a two-volume book developed in collaboration with 20 rural teachers and teacher-educators from across the country. Designed as both a policy-oriented and practice-oriented resource, the project represents one of the first comprehensive efforts to center rural music education as a distinct and valuable area of study. The conversation then turns to key themes emerging from this work, including a critique of “urban normativity,” or the assumption that urban-centered models define educational quality. Johnson argues that such assumptions can obscure the strengths of rural schools and constrain how success is understood. Instead, he advances an asset-based framework that emphasizes what rural educators and communities already do well, encouraging a shift away from deficit-oriented thinking. Throughout the episode, the group explores the realities of rural music teaching, including the demands of serving as a generalist across grade levels and content areas, as well as the professional isolation that can accompany these roles. At the same time, Johnson highlights the unique opportunities rural contexts offer, including programmatic flexibility, sustained relationships with students, and a central role in fostering community identity and engagement. The discussion also addresses interdisciplinary arts integration, emphasizing how music can be meaningfully connected to other subject areas through shared conceptual frameworks rather than being treated as a supplementary or “special” subject. The episode concludes with practical implications for educators, school leaders, and policymakers, underscoring the importance of supporting music teachers, valuing locally grounded approaches, and creating space for innovation that reflects the realities of rural communities. Overall, this conversation offers a clear and applied perspective on how music education can serve as both a pedagogical tool and a community-building force, while challenging dominant assumptions about what constitutes quality education in rural settings.

Governor Cox has vetoed a couple of bills, including one that would have put internet on rural school buses... Greg and Holly break down the details.

Teachers working from home, carpooling and cancelling away trips are just some of things rural schools are having to do to manage rising fuel costs. Rural schools are already finding it harder to get relievers, some of whom have to travel long distances to get to work, with private vehicles the only transport options. Families are feeling the squeeze too getting students to and from school bus stops. The New Zealand Rural Schools Association met with the Ministry of Education this afternoon to come up with a game plan. Association president Andrew King spoke to Lisa Owen.

On Principles of Change, a podcast by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Dr. Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, Texas, to explore how one rural district is redefining school safety through culture, systems, and human connection. Together, they unpack how proactive frameworks, community values, and intentional relationship-building can transform school environments for the better.Key Takeaways from the Episode:1. School safety goes beyond physical security. It includes emotional safety, a sense of belonging, and meaningful student connections.2. Proactive approaches, such as identifying students who lack strong adult relationships, are more impactful than reactive measures.3. Building a culture where every student has a trusted adult requires involvement from the entire school community, from teachers to bus drivers.Building a culture where every student has a trusted adult requires involvement from the entire school community, from teachers to bus drivers.Dr. Miguel Salazar has dedicated over two decades to education, beginning his career as a math teacher and coach before moving into administration. After serving as a high school principal for nine years, he now leads Sundown Middle School and is set to become superintendent of Sundown ISD. A graduate of South Plains College and Texas Tech University, Dr. Salazar is known for his commitment to student-centered leadership and his focus on building systems that ensure every child has a champion within the school.

Explosive Content 3/6/26: MTA Pres Max Page: AP scores --we're no.1!, rural school $, the Bright Act & the tax cut referendum. Community Action Pioneer Valley's Ex Dir Lev BenEzra & Bd Pres Charity Day: Help—an emergency need for fuel assistance funds & the lived experience. Hampshire Coll Prof & astronomer Salman Hameed: the Iran War & other Black Holes. Donnabelle Casis w/ Heart for the Soul Gallery Ex Dir Sierra Meyers: the Inhairitance Exhibit.

Some people have begun to refer to Dr. Eric Nicols as “The Rural School Leader,” and no wonder. Dr. Nichols has dedicated his career to championing the students and communities of rural Eastern Oregon. Serving as both Principal and Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Crane Union High School, one of the nation’s last public boarding schools, he has embraced the multifaceted leadership required in isolated educational environments. Driven by his own small-town upbringing, Dr. Nichols has not only led his basketball team to four consecutive state championships, forging deep community bonds, but has also significantly enhanced academic offerings through expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. A passionate advocate who understands that rural schools are the “hubs” of their communities, he co-founded “Wide Open Spaces,” a professional network to combat the isolation of rural educators, embodying his mission to ensure these vital institutions receive the recognition and resources necessary to thrive. This episode of Principal Matters Podcast features Dr. Jen Schwanke in conversation with Dr. Eric Nichols, who is celebrated as a champion for students and educators in rural communities. Jen met when Dr. Nichols invited her to present at a 2-day rural conference in beautiful Bend, Oregon, an event he co-founded to connect educators across the state. Dr. Nichols currently serves as the principal and head boys basketball coach at Crane Union High School, where he advocates for the belief that the school is the primary hub of its small town community. During their discussion, Dr. Nichols recounts his path to rural leadership, the unique structure of his public boarding school, the origin of his networking initiative for isolated educators, and the importance of fostering deep community connections. He emphasizes that moving to rural life was a choice he made, noting that “rural isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you get to be a part of.” You can find Dr. Nichols on X and Instagram at @iamericnichols. You can also find him on LinkedIn. Learn a bit more about Dr. Nichols in this feature article. The post PMP490: Rural School Leadership with Eric Nichols appeared first on Principal Matters.

Dom talks with Sally Newall, farmer, veterinarian and advocate for better rural bus services, about the loss of her Hawke's Bay community's primary school bus service, how widespread the issue is and the flow-on effects for rural communities. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Reporter, Sally-Ann Barrett visits two schools in the west of Ireland to find out how a declining population in the primary school-going age group is affecting communities there.

We heard this morning that primary school enrolment has fallen by 6 thousand, 500 in the past year –This is the biggest decline we have seen in recent years.But is this just down to the declining population in primary school aged children or is there something that can be done to turn this figure around and save small rural schools here? Ciara Doherty was joined by John Boyle, General Secretary from the Irish National Teachers Union and Michael Mac Donncha, primary school teacher and Chairperson of small schools from Connemara...

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Jan. 8, include: Education Commissioner Brian Maher says department is making changes after calculation error in 2025 resulted in three school districts receiving overpayments in state aid, Nebraska members of Congress respond to President Trump's comments about expanding U.S. military involvement in Greenland, lawmakers schedule Jan. 12 hearing to consider possible expulsion of Sen. Dan McKeon following workplace misconduct investigation, some PragerU historical displays are temporarily removed from the Capitol after concerns raised by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, Lincoln pediatrician says vaccines no longer recommended by CDC for children remain safe and available, Nebraska DHHS warns of EBT fraud affecting more than 130 households statewide, Scottsbluff Public Schools votes to close Lake Minatare Elementary due to budget pressures.

This episode of Vermont Viewpoint was published 01/08/2026.David Zuckerman invites Rick Winston and Andrea Serota share how Winter Sundays at Adamant Community Arts Center combats isolation. Then Superintendent Jamie Kinnarney explains Act 73, its impact on rural schools, and the Governor's education agenda.

A federal program that supports schools and infrastructure in rural communities lapsed two years ago. This month, Congress revived it. In 2023, 30 Montana counties received a collective $16 million from the program.

In California's Central Valley, a small K–8 school district is getting big results. Livingston Union School District in Merced County was recently recognized by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools for outperforming the state in key areas — reducing chronic absenteeism and suspensions while improving student well-being. How did the district do this? By investing deeply in school counselors and pushing a comprehensive program that goes above and beyond what most schools offer in both academic and mental health support. Guests: Alma Lopez, school counseling coordinator, Livingston Union School District Vani Sanganeria, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: How school counselors reduced chronic absenteeism and suspensions at a California school district Central Valley school counselor wins national award for ‘relentless' work with students Podcast: What it takes to be an award-winning counselor Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource's Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

WXPR News for 12-11-25

The Secure Rural Schools act has provided crucial federal funding for rural schools and counties for 25 years. But for the past two years, funding has lapsed as efforts to renew the act failed and House Republicans omitted the program’s funding from federal spending in July. Now, that funding could be reinstated. On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, which was approved by the Senate earlier this year. The bill now heads to the president to be signed and made into law. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a democrat representing southwest Washington, co-lead the push for this bill. She joins us to share more.

Ironton Education Association President Daniel Murphy and his fellow educators in their rural community live in a deep red part of Ohio - Donald Trump won 75% of the vote in Lawrence County in 2024. But Murphy says partisan labels mean nothing when it comes to making sure rural students' needs are met. In this episode, he shares what he wants all lawmakers to understand about the challenges facing rural schools. He also shares his message to his local members about the importance of electing pro-public education leaders, regardless of political party.SEE WHERE YOUR LAWMAKERS STAND | Click here to see how your representatives in the Ohio House and Senate vote on public education issues with the OEA Legislative Scorecard tool.DONATE TO THE OEA FUND | The OEA Fund is the state political action committee (PAC) for members of the Ohio Education Association. It is funded with voluntary donations from OEA members, members' families, and OEA staff to support pro-public education, pro-labor candidates, regardless of political affiliation or anything else. Dues funds are never used to make contributions to candidates or political parties. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guest: Daniel Murphy, Ironton Education Association PresidentDaniel is a proud father, first and foremost. To his children, Jasmine and Kingston, he is a hero, a teacher, and a source of unconditional love. It is from this foundational role that his mission to nurture, protect, and empower others flows. As a Physical Education teacher at Ironton Middle School, he has spent the last decade channeling that paternal energy into the gymnasium and onto the playing fields, understanding that building strong character is just as important as building strong bodies.But his classroom has no walls. For twenty years, he has been a pillar on the football field, coaching at multiple levels. In the grit and grind of practice, he has taught young athletes about discipline, teamwork, and resilience—lessons that extend far beyond the final whistle. This same unwavering dedication is offered to his faith community, where he serves as a deacon, providing spiritual guidance and support.Recognizing that his duty of care extended to the very colleagues who shape Ironton's future, he stepped into a new role three years ago as President of the Ironton Education Association. Here, he found a new arena for his passion. The same fire he brings to his students, his players, and his church, he now brings to serving his union members every single day.His mission is clear and profound: to better the work environment and culture for everyone involved in the Ironton City Schools District. He fights not just for teachers, but for the dedicated support staff, the students they all serve, and the entire ecosystem that makes education possible. He understands that a thriving school is built on respect and fairness for all.His guiding light in this work is a powerful conviction, echoed in one of his favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”He has chosen a life of purposeful noise. He is not silent about fair treatment. He is not silent about safe and supportive schools. He is not silent about the things that matter to his family, his students, his fellow educators, and his community.Through his roles as a father, teacher, coach, deacon, and union leader, he demonstrates that true impact is measured not by a single grand gesture, but by the sum of a thousand daily commitments. He is a builder—of stronger bodies, sharper minds, fairer workplaces, and a more compassionate community. His story is a powerful reminder that one person's dedicated life can be the catalyst for a better world for all. Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on September 11, 2025.

A rural school in Mpumalanga, Mpumelelo Secondary, has repeatedly performed in the JSE Investment Challenge, a national competition where young people engage in simulated trading using virtual portfolios valued at R1 million. The challenge runs from March to September and attracts more than 66,000 participants from 859 schools and universities. Behind Mpumelelo's success is Sizwe Mtsweni, a teacher at the school who teaches business studies and tourism. In an interview with BizNews, Mtsweni spoke about his investment strategies and how he mentors his students. He explained that beyond the usual challenge of balancing academics and the competition, many of his learners live far from school and don't have devices, and even if they do, they often don't have data. As for the mindset he tries to instil. Mtsweni, who returned to teach at his alma mater, says he's not interested in wearing expensive brands, he's more interested in owning one.

Last month, President Trump unveiled a plan that requires employers pay a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas. The impact on schools and educators will be significant. According to data from the Department of Homeland Security, more than 20,000 educators are in the country on H-1B visas — the third most common occupation group for the program. NPR's Sequoia Carrillo reports.Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We'll hear from the superintendents of Columbus City Schools, Hilliard City Schools and Fairfield-Union Local Schools for an urban, suburban and rural perspective.

We'll hear from the superintendents of Columbus City Schools, Hilliard City Schools and Fairfield-Union Local Schools for an urban, suburban and rural perspective.

Schools across California could lose hundreds of social workers, school counselors, mental health clinicians, wellness coaches and graduate student interns, after the Trump administration cut federal grants for mental health support. In rural areas like Humboldt County, school districts have relied almost entirely on these federal grants to provide mental health workers for students, who are struggling with high rates of poverty, drug addiction, and suicide, and difficulty accessing care. Guests: Jane Huang, Wellness coach, Eureka High School Cassandra Garcia-Gonzalez, Peer counselor, Eureka High School Vani Sanganeria, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: After federal cuts, California schools could lose hundreds of mental health clinicians Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource's Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Listeners react to US President Donald Trump's claims about links between paracetamol and autism. Patricia is principal of a school in Clare that needs more pupils. Should we have election posters during the Presidential Election? Prof. Marcus Kennedy is worried about the danger vaping is causing to young people.

Maura Fay, RTÉ Reporter

A much-needed boost to rural schools' infrastructure, which has been neglected for many years. The Education Minister's unveiled a $413 million package to get maintenance and improvement jobs at schools underway sooner. More than half is for improvements on all isolated, rural, or small schools. Rural Schools Leadership Association President Andrew King told Mike Hosking it will predominantly go towards basic infrastructure. He says in the past, rural schools haven't had work done simply because of the cost to get trades people out there. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 23rd of September, the money tree from the Government continues to provide, this time for school infrastructure. Genesis Energy has struck a deal to provide more coal for Huntly to keep the lights on. Kiwi singer Harper Finn is in for a chat and to give us an exclusive sneak peak of his new single 'Satellite' ahead of the release of his debut album. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we gain new perspectives and insights to the needs of our rural schools from Shannon, a rural school teacher in Georgia who founded the non-profit STaRLT. Shannon moved from an urban school to a rural school and realized that she nor her students had the same resources

Some small rural schools across Ireland are being excluded from the school meals scheme. To shed some light on the situation and why it's happening, Kieran is joined by a concerned parent from Kerry, Michael Coady, Principal of St James National School in Stradbally, Co Waterford, Rebecca Miller and Co-Founder and Co-Managing Director of food supplier Carambola, Colm O'Brien.

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This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with mental health and addiction reporter Sierra Pfeifer about $1B in cuts from President Trump to schools across the country to hire mental health professionals and how it will impact Oklahoma's rural districts

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.

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, July 3, 2025.

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.

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.

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.

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

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