With my term on the Commissioner of Education’s Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) set to end next week (not a humblebrag, I swear), I’ve been spending some time reflecting on the valuable insights and opportunities that teacher leadership has afforded me these past three years. I’ve been privileged to engage in meaningful conversation about Kentucky education issues with four different commissioners,…
Month: March 2021
How 18 million Americans could move into rural areas – without leaving home
About 46 million Americans – 14% of the nation’s inhabitants – are currently classified as living in rural areas. That number could jump to 64 million – an increase of nearly 40% – without anyone moving into a new home. That could actually hurt small cities and rural communities across the country. The federal government classifies communities’ characteristics based on…
Redefining Rural America: Beyond the ‘Rural-Urban’ Divide
The “rural-urban divide” is real, but complicated. Most communities are neither entirely rural or urban, instead situated somewhere along a spectrum. Recognizing this is the key for policymakers, scholars, and activists seeking a better understanding of the complexities and contradictions of America’s diverse communities, particularly those of rural America. It’s also the message coming from a recent report called America…
After a Year of Teaching Dangerously, We Found a New Appreciation for School
This year has been the ultimate educational experiment. For years the question has loomed: Given a strong curriculum, can students learn just as effectively online as in person? This COVID year has given us an answer: School is so much more than any curriculum. This year has proven that our school system is one of the most vital institutions not…