Nurturing the Rural Teacher Experience: Lessons from the United States

Abstract

Rural places and schools are diverse, presenting challenges for teaching and for understanding the needs of rural teachers. The recent NCES Report on Status of Education in Rural America indicates "no measurable differences" in rural and non-rural education. However, the voices of rural teachers tell us a different story. How can we understand the needs of rural teachers? How do we nurture them, so they can give their best to teaching rural children and youth? Some answers include: accepting and supporting them and their families, supporting their efforts at all levels of school and community, educating rural community members beyond schools, reaching out and reaching in with professional development opportunities, and creating and supporting professional communities of practice. This paper views the needs of rural teachers from both broad and close-up views, considers issues of recruiting and retaining high quality teachers, and includes the perspectives of teachers from across the US.