Rural Schools Collaborative

06/03/2026

Western Pike Local Schools in Latham, OH is home to 2026 Grants in Place grantee, Jennifer Buckler. Not only is she leading her students on their cut flower project, but she also organized their 3rd annual STEAM Career & Community Connected day. Check out this amazing video highlighting their event. 💛
https://www.facebook.com/reel/26185177794489238

06/03/2026

Students across the national rural GRAD Partnership cohort share what connection, community, and support mean to them. ⬇️

School leaders at rural schools across the country asked their students to answer a simple question: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺, 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶? Students submitted answers in a myriad of ways: essays and poems, drawings and paintings, and digital media. The responses may have taken many forms, but between peers, trusted adults in the building, and a feeling of empowerment emerged as trends throughout the project. 💪 🧑‍🎓 💛

Check out the full project story on our website:

Students across the national rural GRAD Partnership cohort share what connection, community, and support mean to them

06/02/2026

Pathways for Paraprofessionals, a registered apprenticeship program sponsored by one of RSC's Missouri Hubs, Missouri State University, advances paraprofessionals who are already assisting high-needs students in Missouri classrooms, toward bachelor’s or master’s degrees in special education through on-the-job training and coursework. 👏

Read how this model is impacting rural communities in a huge way below.

From special education classrooms in rural Missouri to manufacturing plants in central New York, apprenticeship programs and their higher ed partners are helping workers earn while they learn, fill critical labor shortages and build careers close to home.

05/29/2026

The University of Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps (University of Wyoming College of Education) had a great week in Grand Teton National Park and at the Murie Ranch - Teton Science Schools. They spent time experiencing place-based education in the national park and in the community while also visiting several local rural schools around the area. WY Rural Teacher Corps members are leaving inspired with new ideas for what rural teaching and rural schools can look like - and how they can connect with and practice place-based education. They also had a lot of fun - watching wildlife and hiking together, and even got some snow too! 🌲 🥾 ❄️

05/29/2026

The application for the Center for Green Schools 2026–2027 School Air Quality Fellowship is now open!

This nine-month program supports K-12 public school district staff in developing plans for healthier indoor air and energy-efficient schools through personalized training, technical assistance, professional credential access, peer networking, and attendance at the Green Schools Conference.

The Fellowship is designed for professionals in Facilities & Operations, Environmental Health, Finance, Sustainability, School Nursing/Health Services, and IAQ.

Learn more and apply by July 10th: https://lnkd.in/ejVixfhG

05/28/2026

Join us on Friday, June 5 as we hear from and celebrate our 2026 Grants in Place awardees! 🎉 Their incredible Place-Based Education projects created learning opportunities for their rural students and communities across the country. We hope you will join us!

Register for the virtual event at the link and share with a friend who may be interested.

🔗 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lKB_U4ppRzybF6oq_Yzhqw #/registration

05/27/2026

⭐ Rural Teacher Corps Spotlight⭐

At Monmouth College, the TARTANS Rural Teacher Corps was created to meet both the opportunities and challenges of rural education head-on. This signature cohort within the School of Education and Human Development’s teacher preparation program (Monmouth College Educational Studies Department), is designed to prepare aspiring educators to become visionary teachers deeply rooted in rural communities. Guided by Dr. Tammy La Prad, RSC Board member and Dr. Arren Duggan, the program also serves as a cornerstone of the Illinois Regional Hub.

Read the full spotlight story on our website, https://ruralschoolscollaborative.org/stories/rural-teacher-corps-spotlight-tartans-at-monmouth-college-cultivates-visionary-educators-for-rural-illinois

05/26/2026

Galesburg Community Foundation (RSC Illinois Hub) announced the recipients of Teacher Mini Grants. These grants of up to $500 will help educators working at schools in Knoxville, Monmouth-Roseville, United, and Williamsfield create meaningful learning experiences for their students. 💛

Check out the full news article and recipient list on their website -

When you make a gift to a local community fund, you’re making a difference right where you live. One of the ways that impact takes shape is through Teacher Mini Grants: grants of up to $500 that help educators working at schools in Knoxville, Monmouth-Roseville, United, and Williamsfield create me...

05/26/2026

We're excited to welcome Joel Boettger for a summer fellowship providing strategic support and project management to the Rural Schools Collaborative team. Please join us in welcoming Joel! 🎉

Read Joel's bio on our website - https://ruralschoolscollaborative.org/profiles/joel-boettger-strategic-fellow

05/22/2026

⭐ Grants in Place Spotlight⭐

With the help of the Grants in Place program, 2026 awardee Paula Tonn and the School District of Lodi are utilizing its historic school forest property to engage students and families. Each kindergarten student at Lodi, along with every other student in the district of Lodi, planted a tree at Lodi’s School Forest as part of a week-long Arbor Day celebration, alongside teachers, parent chaperones, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and local volunteers. Way to go, Paula and Lodi School District! 🌳 👏 🥾

Check out the full spotlight story on our website, https://ruralschoolscollaborative.org/stories/a-legacy-in-the-woods-how-lodi-students-are-reclaiming-their-school-forest