#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Hey all, this is Emily Meier (aka @MisforMidwest) on behalf of Rural Schools Collaborative. We're looking forward to talking with you all about teacher prep tonight. #RuralEdChat
Before we begin, I’d like to note that at the end of the chat, we’ll highlight examples of rural-specific teacher prep efforts and also provide a resource for rural educators who would like to join a growing national network of educators connecting over Facebook.
#ruraledchat
Thank you Tammy and Robin. Glad to be here! Looks like we have a variety of folks here, and some of our questions apply mostly to teachers - but please feel free to weigh in no matter your role. #RuralEdChat
For those of you who are #RuralEdChat veterans, @Rural_Schools is lucky to be partnering with the coordinators of #RuralEdChat and contributing to the conversations. We're glad to be here and always interested to hear your perspectives! Q1 coming soon...
To introduce @Rural_Schools - we are based out of WI but with a national reach. We're committed to place-based engagement, rural philanthropy, and developing teacher-leaders. Please check out our website to get to know us and our work! https://t.co/P4JjWWe2Oa#RuralEdChat
Alright, let's kick things off with our first question:
Q1: Teachers: what type of initial teacher preparation program did you do? (i.e. 4 year undergraduate, masters, etc.) and what was your experience like in your program? (can be general or specific!) #RuralEdChat
Alright, let's kick things off with our first question:
Q1: Teachers: what type of initial teacher preparation program did you do? (i.e. 4 year undergraduate, masters, etc.) and what was your experience like in your program? (can be general or specific!) #RuralEdChat
A1 I did undergrad in psych. Did MACT for college teaching in the humanities which required teaching. Taught 2 classes freshman English for 4 semesters. Monthly meeting of TAs was extent of official teacher preprep. As shared big room and did PD together . #RuralEdChat
A1 non-teacher answer: degree in an in demand field (Computer Engineering), about 20 hours of generic out-of-classroom PD. I pair with & teach a full time teacher #RuralEdChat
Thanks for joining us Cameron! Q1 was: What type of initial teacher preparation program did you do? (i.e. 4 year undergraduate, masters, etc.) and what was your experience like in that program? #RuralEdChat
A1: I graduated with my undergrad degree in History in three years and am now in graduate school for Education at Ohio State. I've had a great experience so far, and I'm happy to have gotten a degree in my content area first. #RuralEdChat#ssvpln
A2. I grew up rural (down the road from farm where Woodstock Festival held). I've never taught in a rural setting unless you count Huntington IN. #RuralEdChat
Any specific areas that you feel stand out? I had a colleague who works with rural teachers recently tell me that their teachers felt inadequately prepared to deal with trauma in the school/classroom. #RuralEdChat
A2: My teacher ed program is set at a major, urban university so it is currently preparing me to teach in urban/diverse settings, although my goal is to teach in a rural area like where I grew up. #ssvpln#RuralEdChat
Q2.2: Unplanned question, but how many of you grew up in a small rural town? Did it influence your decision to teach in a rural school or focus on rural education issues in your work? #RuralEdChat
A2b: I grew up in a town of 3,000 and that definitely influenced me wanting to teach in a rural area and care about issues facing rural education. #RuralEdChat
Q2.2: Unplanned question, but how many of you grew up in a small rural town? Did it influence your decision to teach in a rural school or focus on rural education issues in your work? #RuralEdChat
A2.2 : I grew up suburban, college urban, live urban. Wasn't at first interested in remote instruction with a rural school. I've come to my senses :) #RuralEdChat
Indeed. Examples are numerous, but we recently had colleagues at our northern California hub impacted by wildfires. Teachers and students are still learning how to cope with that uniquely rural situation. #RuralEdChat
Q3: It seems like the general consensus is that most of your respective #teachered programs did not specifically focus on the rural teaching context. So, upon reflection, what are specific steps teacher education programs can take to support future rural teachers? #RuralEdChat
A3: In learning to teach in urban areas, we learn about Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Pedagogies and this is important to emphasize in rural areas too. #ruraledchat
Q3: It seems like the general consensus is that most of your respective #teachered programs did not specifically focus on the rural teaching context. So, upon reflection, what are specific steps teacher education programs can take to support future rural teachers? #RuralEdChat
A3: In learning to teach in urban areas, we learn about Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Pedagogies and this is important to emphasize in rural areas too. #ruraledchat
Sorry I'm joining late. I grew up in rural Mid-West Michigan, but began teaching in rural VA. I'm now in higher ed and interested in working with teachers to prepare for teaching in rural schools. #RuralEdChat
A3: First & Foremost: Support the idea that teaching in a Rural School doesn't mean you're not as intelligent as those in the urban areas. #RuralEdChat
A3: I think because the teacher's connection to community is so strong in rural places, it is important to discuss community leadership and how teacher-leaders can play a role in small towns beyond the classroom during #TeacherEducation#ruraledchat
A3 I don't know the answer. I suspect, however, that if #teachered programs do a good job preparing students as teachers, when in a job, they'd find adjusting to a new setting less difficult. #RuralEdChat
A3: First & Foremost: Support the idea that teaching in a Rural School doesn't mean you're not as intelligent as those in the urban areas. #RuralEdChat
A3b: Rural Schools need teachers that understand a wide variety of topics. Rural Educators must have more than a subject specific education. #RuralEdChat
A3 Jumping in for just a bit-conference night tonight. One thing I've noticed is that we need to get more Student Teachers in the rural settings. I haven't seen a whole lot of that in districts I've worked. #RuralEdChat
I requested a #rural student teaching placement in teacher ed program. I made it a point to go to football games, visit the local shops/grocery store, and try to understand the landscape of the community even though I wasn't living there. That was a challenge! #ruraledchat
Question: I often hear about teachers' connection to community in rural areas. I wonder if that's real or myth. In my local area, I don't see teachers with any connection to anything but school. #RuralEdChat
A1: It was 4 years and I️ in no way shape or form felt like I️ was prepared when I️ graduated. It wasn’t until YEAR 4 that it all began to click and I️ actually felt like I️ was making a difference. #RuralEdChat
A3 Jumping in for just a bit-conference night tonight. One thing I've noticed is that we need to get more Student Teachers in the rural settings. I haven't seen a whole lot of that in districts I've worked. #RuralEdChat
Question: I often hear about teachers' connection to community in rural areas. I wonder if that's real or myth. In my local area, I don't see teachers with any connection to anything but school. #RuralEdChat
And help pass that fight along to our students: when you go off to states, or to college, or anywhere never be intimidated because you're from here. If you're there, you earned it just the same. #RuralEdChat
I have a degree in International Business. My college focused a lot of this degree’s program on navigating cross-culturally/being in cross-cultural environments & situations. I think it is often underestimated & understated how culture within our 1 country varies #RuralEdChat
In my experience, the connection is real. Most teachers form my hometown were born there and came back to teach there. Roots are deep #ruraledchat#ssvpln
Question: I often hear about teachers' connection to community in rural areas. I wonder if that's real or myth. In my local area, I don't see teachers with any connection to anything but school. #RuralEdChat
And help pass that fight along to our students: when you go off to states, or to college, or anywhere never be intimidated because you're from here. If you're there, you earned it just the same. #RuralEdChat
Just jumping in for a bit -- Cat, higher ed faculty from UMaine -- I think it depends on the teacher. One thing we work on in our edldr program is helping folks figure out avenues for taking on leadership that crosses between school and community in rural settings. #ruraledchat
Yep. It would be interesting to have teachers provide this feedback to their respective alma matters. Wonder if it could make a difference. #RuralEdChat
Yep. It would be interesting to have teachers provide this feedback to their respective alma matters. Wonder if it could make a difference. #RuralEdChat
OK, last question coming up! Then we'll do a really quick share on some exemplary teacher prep programs focusing on rural, and invite you to join #IamARuralTeacher! #RuralEdChat
Last one for the night - thanks for the conversation - hard to keep up!
Q4: What kind of rural-specific professional development or networking could be helpful for you as a rural teacher? #RuralEdChat#RuralEdChat
A4 Well, of course #RuralEdChat has been a great resource for me. I think as much as possible it would be great for Rural Districts to give teachers time to actually meet face to face. I know that can be challenging, but would be SO helpful.
I loved this - even though I only student taught in that small town for 1 semester, parents knew who I was too, and I felt connected to the community.
#RuralEdChat
Last one for the night - thanks for the conversation - hard to keep up!
Q4: What kind of rural-specific professional development or networking could be helpful for you as a rural teacher? #RuralEdChat#RuralEdChat
A4 Well, of course #RuralEdChat has been a great resource for me. I think as much as possible it would be great for Rural Districts to give teachers time to actually meet face to face. I know that can be challenging, but would be SO helpful.
Like a regional-rural teacher conference or gathering? Has anyone else seen this? Seems like a great idea. Especially if the focus is on #rural issues specifically. #RuralEdChat
A4 Well, of course #RuralEdChat has been a great resource for me. I think as much as possible it would be great for Rural Districts to give teachers time to actually meet face to face. I know that can be challenging, but would be SO helpful.
A4: Twitter hashtags like these are incredibly important and I think, too, just a broader focus on rural education in teacher prep programs will go a long way #ssvpln#ruraledchat
Got it. An interesting avenue to pursue. Does anyone else know of avenues in which to access resources like this when you're teaching #rural? #RuralEdChat
Last one for the night - thanks for the conversation - hard to keep up!
Q4: What kind of rural-specific professional development or networking could be helpful for you as a rural teacher? #RuralEdChat#RuralEdChat
I agree that teacher-leadership needs to be part of teacher preparation and as part of this exploring the assets that rural communities possess. Shift the thinking from a deficit perspective. #ruraledchat
A4: Twitter hashtags like these are incredibly important and I think, too, just a broader focus on rural education in teacher prep programs will go a long way #ssvpln#ruraledchat
Got it. An interesting avenue to pursue. Does anyone else know of avenues in which to access resources like this when you're teaching #rural? #RuralEdChat
Last one for the night - thanks for the conversation - hard to keep up!
Q4: What kind of rural-specific professional development or networking could be helpful for you as a rural teacher? #RuralEdChat#RuralEdChat
OK, as our conversation closes we'd like to end on a high note: here are a couple of great examples of teacher preparation for #ruralteachers... #RuralEdChat
The barriers aren't physical. Getting Edus to see the power of those connections is the first speed bump to overcome. We wear so many hats. It sometimes feels like one more thing on our already over full plate. #RuralEdChat
(1/2) Missouri's Ozark Teacher Corps: Corps members receive an annual scholarship and participate in a wide range of seminars, where they learn about a variety of rural topics. #RuralEdChat
It's not as active as we would like, but there are only a few members right now. WE could make it something truly useful, if we work together. #RuralEdChat
The barriers aren't physical. Getting Edus to see the power of those connections is the first speed bump to overcome. We wear so many hats. It sometimes feels like one more thing on our already over full plate. #RuralEdChat
Thank you #RuralEdChat & @Rural_Schools for a great chat tonight! I hope & plan to take some of these thoughts & connections to my conversations w/ those I consult on #EdTech 😊
It's not as active as we would like, but there are only a few members right now. WE could make it something truly useful, if we work together. #RuralEdChat
OK - running short on time, so we'd like to make sure folks know about a new resource called the "I am a Rural Teacher!" Facebook group: https://t.co/DxjNgVjTnP#RuralEdChat
