National Rural Education Association
banner
nrea.net
National Rural Education Association
@nrea.net
The NREA (National Rural Education Association) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It is the oldest established national organization of its kind in the United States.
From our Illinois State Affiliate, AIRSS: Bureau Valley has become a standout example of innovation and growth in CTE, demonstrating that even smaller schools can offer robust, forward-thinking programs. Read more: airssedu.org/post/winter-...
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Dr. Steven Johnson, a member of the NREA Executive Board, wrote this letter addressing recent changes breaking up offices in the U.S. Department of Education. Johnson asserts that education requires focused, centralized oversight for maintaining national standards & ensuring accountability.
Letter: If you want chaos, break up the Department of Education
"If you want results, don’t," writes Steven L. Johnson, superintendent of Fort Ransom School District #6.
www.inforum.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In this article, Joan Lamain interviews Kristin Guitar, a teacher at the historic Haynor School in Ionia County, Michigan. Guitar highlights the development of strong relationships with students and their families. Read more:
Interview with a Michigan One-Room Schoolteacher - National Rural Education Association
Rural schools were once a common sight in Michigan at the turn of the century. At one point, Michigan had over 7,000 one-room schoolhouses; now, less than 20 remain in Michigan’s lower peninsula, according to the Michigan One Room Schoolhouse Organization. Curious to know how these schools continue to serve students, I had the opportunity to speak with a teacher of a rural one-room schoolhouse, Kristin Guitar. Mrs. Guitar is currently teaching in the historic Haynor School in Ionia County in Michigan’s lower peninsula. which serves a unique niche in the public schools.
nrea.net
November 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 We are thankful for the amazing teachers & admins serving our rural children; for our State Affiliates advocating on behalf of schools in their state; and for our members & partners helping advance NREA's vision of strong rural schools & communities. 🙏
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The monthly resources from our partners at CoSN are now available! Please visit our website for more detailed information: nrea.net/cosn-novembe...
November 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Engaging With Revolutionary History Teacher Fellowship seeks to provide professional learning opportunities in U.S. History and Civics to educators from predominantly rural and remote locations. Learn more and apply by December 12: retroreport.org/engaging-wit...
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
NREA invited State Affiliate Directors and other rural stakeholders to join us in condemning the cuts to supports for students with disabilities. In response, AIRSS published this article concerning the impact on rural students in their own state: airssedu.org/post/do-rura...
Do Rural Students with Disabilities Still Have a Fair Chance? - The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools
AIRSS Joins Hundreds of Organizations in Condemning Sweeping Cuts to the U.S. Department of Education
airssedu.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
#FeelGoodFriday from our Arizona State Affiliate, @azruralschools.org: At Mohave Valley School District, rural resourcefulness has turned into improved attendance rates, better grades, and higher enrollment through their Innovation Lab project. Learn more: www.azruralschools.org/news/mohave-...
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"This change is not a matter of administrative restructuring; it is a dismantling of an essential support system for millions of multilingual learners. For rural schools, which already face persistent funding inequities, the consequences are especially severe." Read more: nrea.net/maria-coady-...
What the Death of OELA Means for Rural Schools—and How Educators Can Respond - National Rural Education Association
For more than three decades, I have worked in and with rural schools across the United States, teaching, researching, and advocating for Multilingual Learner (ML) students. During that time, I have watched rural communities grow increasingly linguistically and culturally diverse, even as their resources have remained limited. Educating ML students has become more complex and more technical, requiring teachers and leaders to master not only language pedagogy but also state and federal accountability systems. Yet it has also become more political. Federal policies have often determined what programs exist, how they are funded, and who receives support.
nrea.net
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Back Forty Action believes real change begins in America's small towns and family farms. Their "Save the Heartland" campaign is happening now, including meetings with elected officials, rural farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, and students to advocate for better policy: www.backfortyaction.org/
November 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Congratulations again to all who received recognition at the 2025 #RuralEdForum!

National Rural Teacher of the Year - Jeff Granrud
Dissertation Awards - Clint Whitten & Devan Jones
President-Elect Award - Dr. Bill Chapman
President Award - Dr. Devon Brenner
Leadership Award - David Ardrey
November 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NREA Executive Director Dr. Melissa Sadorf traveled to Dierks, Arkansas, last week to celebrate the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights winner. Congratulations to Dierks High School on your award of a $1 Million athletic field remodel! 🎉
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Join AIRSS to learn more about Holocaust Learning Experience, a free resource available for your classroom. HLE extends beyond raw facts, promoting critical thinking, moral consciousness, and resilience, with empathy at its core. Learn more and RSVP here: hlewebinar.rsvpify.com/
November 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Mission Telecom has a new offer to help schools and libraries losing federal E-Rate funding. They are honoring the post-discount applicant share of cost on Form 471, not the quote cost from the provider. Learn more: missiontelecom.org/news-and-ins...
Mission Telecom Matches FCC E-Rate Cuts to Safeguard Affordable Wi-Fi for Schools & Libraries - Mission Telecom
Mission Telecom pledges to match FCC’s E-Rate cuts, ensuring affordable Wi-Fi stays accessible for schools and libraries nationwide.
missiontelecom.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This workshop will explore the pivotal role of inclusive communication in advancing effective and equitable climate action. The workshop highlights topics of interest identified by Midwest educators, but is open and applicable to national audiences! us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Dr. G. Cleve Pilot, Director of CTE at the Fairfield Career and Technology Center, submitted this article to the NREA Blog about transforming how students view career and technical education. Read more: nrea.net/transforming...
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Back Forty Action is hosting a major advocacy event in Washington, D.C. to defend rural America against harmful policies threatening our farms, schools, and hospitals. Learn more: www.savetheheartland.com/
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The Call for Proposals is now live for 6th annual virtual Rural Education Conference, scheduled for March 16, 2026! Submission deadline for proposals is Dec. 1, 2025. Learn more and submit now: www.apsu.edu/education/ru...
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Spring Grove Area School District in south-central Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for the role of Superintendent. Learn more and apply to the PA Association of Rural & Small Schools by November 30: drive.google.com/file/d/1eMR6...
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, November 6 at 1pm PT

Join leaders from the California Department of Education and Common Sense for a practical session on student-respectful phone policies that protect learning time, safety, and communication.

Register for free: trucefamily.com/events/smart...
Smart Technology and Phone Policies: The Impact in Schools
Join experts from the California Department of Education and Common Sense to explore practical, student-centered phone policies that work in real schools.
trucefamily.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
CEN is hiring! Lead a dedicated team, engage a passionate national network, & make a lasting impact on Rural America. Learn more and apply here: edu-nation.org/about-colleg...
November 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Your donation to the NREA Foundation directly supports rural educators through the National Rural Teacher of the Year program. Donate today! nreafoundation.betterworld.org/
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The monthly resources from our partners at CoSN are now available! Please visit our website for more detailed information: nrea.net/cosn-october...
October 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Our Illinois State Affiliate @airssedu.org has just launched the next volume of their online publication, The Prairie Career Advocate. The Advocate features the best in CTE to highlight and inspire rural schools across the state. Read more on the AIRSS site: airssedu.org/post/fall-20...
Fall 2025 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate - The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools
After an exciting first year, the AIRSS team is proud to launch the second volume ofThe Prairie Career Advocate. This storytelling effort is part of the Rural IL CTE Project that AIRSS and the Illinois State Board of Education began in 2023. The first issue of this new volume features Stillman Valley High School (Meridian
airssedu.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Did you see the recently released Why Rural Matters 2025 report? It highlights key trends, challenges, and opportunities for rural education across America. Read it here to see what’s shaping the future of rural education: nrea.net/wrm-2025/
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM