The Rural Education Center
Lori Goodson, Co-Editor
Diane Beets, Co-Editor
Amanda Causey, Technical Editor
Author: dianebeets
Welcome
Welcome to another school year from the Rural Education Center (REC)!
Approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in 1978, the Rural Education Center focuses on meeting the needs of rural schools in the state of Kansas. Dr. Spencer Clark serves as the REC director and Dr. Lori Goodson as assistant director. Their work emphasizes advocacy for rural schools and their communities by pursuing grant opportunities and other sources of funding to support various rural educational projects. They also conduct research and coordinate other educational activities to support the learning opportunities for rural students and teachers. Clark and Goodson look forward to supporting current curriculum initiatives and goals associated with the Kansas State Department of Education school redesign, STEAM education, place-based education, and civic engagement in rural schools.
This year we are excited to announce new additions to our team. Diane Beets has joined the REC as its program coordinator. She is a product of Kansas rural education, growing up in Scott City. She has a master’s degree in higher education from K-State and nearly 20 years of experience working across the university. Diane is excited to help further the goals of the REC and work to support rural education throughout the state. Also joining the REC as an undergraduate intern is Terrence Spurlin. Terrence was born in Houston, Texas, where he grew up with his older brother and parents. He is majoring in Educational Studies and plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation.
First-ever STEAM Camp a Virtual Success
In its first ever Kansas State University Virtual STEAM Academy offered by the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, approximately 110 middle school students participated in hands-on learning activities throughout the state.
As a spinoff of the popular in-person USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden and KSU COE STEM Summer Institute, the virtual program focused on STEAM, or science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics and was geared toward taking the on-campus STEM camp to rural communities. Held June 7-24, it served as a pilot study and was initially offered with a small selection of topics:
- Wild, Weird and Wonderful Writing, co-taught by Vicki Sherbert, assistant professor in the COE’s Curriculum and Instruction department, and Delaney Pollart, a recent KSU COE graduate who teaches English at Goodland Junior/Senior High School.
- M.U.S.I.C. (Music Using STEM is Cool), taught by Spring 2021 KSU graduate Meredith Casey, assistant director of bands for Washburn Rural High School, Topeka;
- Sports Science, taught by Angie Messer, instructor for the Curriculum and Instruction department;
- Stop Motion Animation, taught by Rachael Asbury, 7th/8th Grade Computer Science Teacher, Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, USD 383, and
- Planet Podcast, taught by Shelly Camba, English Language Arts Teacher, Susan B. Anthony Middle School, USD 383.
Calista Speake, a remote kindergarten teacher for the 2020-2021 school year at Amanda Arnold Elementary School in Manhattan, served as principal of the virtual academy. Lori Goodson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction and K-State Summer STEM Institute coordinator, developed the virtual program.
Like the Summer STEM Institute, the virtual version offered hands-on, high-engagement activities led by highly-qualified teachers throughout the region. Classes in the virtual version are designed to make use of many common household items to keep expenses at a minimum for participants.
The program was open to individual students who wanted to participate from home, as well as to school districts interested in a hybrid version that involved the classes being taught virtually to classrooms with on-site teachers from the local district to assist.
Four districts—Inman USD 448, Oxford USD 358, Prairie Hills USD 113, and Royal Valley USD 337—joined the Virtual STEAM Academy, with a total of 11 classrooms offering the classes. Lisa Suhr, the Technology Integration Specialist for Prairie Hills, loved the interactive option of STEAM and had much to say about the students and teachers enjoying it.
“Our students had a positive interaction with their school while they explored, created, and deepened their understanding of STEAM topics! Our teacher facilitators were able to show up, learn alongside students, and enjoy the time instead of having to do more prep and planning during the summer. They even got some ideas to use back in their classrooms in the future!”
Plans are already under way for summer 2022, which will include a wider variety of virtual class topics, as well as involving more school districts across the country in the hybrid version. Be looking for details of how a grant will make this option even more affordable for your school district!
To learn more about the STEAM Virtual Academy, contact Speake at virtualsteam@k-state.edu or Goodson at lagoodson@ksu.edu. Check out the Virtual STEAM news item at:
https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=76050 and the STEAM Summer 2021 Report:
https://coe.ksu.edu/collaborations/documents/2021-Virtual-STEAM-Report.pdf
New group promotes interest in rural education, pathways to teaching
Students in Kansas State University’s College of Education gathered in late September for the first meeting of ED ASTRA, an organization designed for students interested in teaching in rural settings. ED ASTRA stands for Education Advocates Supporting Teachers in Rural Areas and is a take-off of the Kansas state motto. Besides building a community of rural-focused future teachers, part of the members’ responsibilities would involve visiting rural schools to promote teaching as a career.
The group’s initial meeting featured Matt Weller, principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Clay County USD 379. Weller, a graduate of K-State’s College of Education, discussed the value of teaching in a rural district, as well as his journey into administration. Weller was also instrumental in the college’s beginning efforts regarding tele-presence in education.
“Partnering with rural schools and communities is a foundational part of our mission,” said Debbie Mercer, the Dean of the College of Education. “By doing so, rural communities will become more sustainable and continue to grow in capacity and knowledge. With ED ASTRA, we want to help those future rural educators be prepared for their careers in rural communities.”
If you are interested in participating in a future meeting of ED ASTRA or have students who may be interested in a career in education, please contact us at ruraled@ksu.edu.
In addition to supporting students with a rural focus, the College of Education has several pathways to teaching that may benefit students and community members in rural areas. The online Bachelor of Education degree allows students to live and work in their home communities while completing a degree online. This is an affordable and convenient option for students to obtain an exceptional educational experience from Kansas State University without having to leave their community and support network. More information can be found at: https://online.k-state.edu/programs/elementary-education-bachelors/
For adult learners who are considering a change in career into the field of education, Kansas State University offers the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. This one-year program is for students who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree. MAT pathways are available for Elementary, K-6; Modern Languages, K-12; Social Studies, 6-12; English/Language Arts, 6-12; Agriculture Education 6-12; and a non-licensure international track. For more information, please see: https://coe.k-state.edu/academics/program-areas/master-of-arts-teaching/
KBOR, COE work to support future rural, urban teachers in Kansas
Kansas State University’s College of Education has received a grant from the Kansas Board of Regents to support scholarships for online undergraduate students in urban and rural communities planning to become teachers. And today, TRUST Scholars have been selected for spring 2022 student teaching placements in rural and urban schools.
Project TRUST — Training Rural and Urban School Teachers — is a $160,000 grant designed to help place-bound students in targeted communities earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. It will provide 30 students with 12 credit hours of tuition support for their final semester. It supports a grow-your-own program model by allowing students to complete their degree requirements in their home communities while addressing specific teacher needs in hard-to-fill disciplines and underserved areas.
The college first offered this online bachelor’s degree in 2017 with eight students enrolled. Today, the number is 110, representing a greater than tenfold – or 1,275% – increase in enrollment.
In addition to working with teacher pathway programs at local school districts, Project TRUST coordinators will work closely with administrators at Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City and Seward County Community College in Liberal.
We’ll soon share updates on placements and which school districts will host TRUST Scholars.
More details about the TRUST Scholars and the program are available at:
https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2021-04/kbor-grant-teaching-scholarships.html
Telepresence robots bring new opportunities
Thanks to two USDA grants, the Rural Education Center, was able to provide 18 districts in the state of Kansas with telepresence robots. While not their original intended purpose, the robots have been a timely tool with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kati Thul, Assistant Superintendent from Renwick USD 267 shared that they were able to use the robots when students were quarantined. Teachers had the robot in class and the student at home was able to “remote” in and be a part of each class. The Robot allowed students to feel connected to the classroom while they were not able to attend in-person.
Prairie Hills USD 113 had a similar experience. When they resumed in person classes during the pandemic, one student was unable to be present. She was able to use the robot to learn remotely. Having the flexibility to maneuver around the school allowed her to spend time with friends during recess. This was critical for her social development and general well-being. She was even able to “attend” a ceremony to accept a reading award!
Lisa Suhr, Technology Integration Specialist from Prairie Hills, also shared that they were able to share their students’ art at their annual Art Show with family and friends who couldn’t attend in person. Family members from as far away as Florida were able to use the robots to “walk” through the show and enjoy the students’ art.
The College of Education has piloted a remote field experience program for its students. Allowing students to remotely observe classrooms in locations where they likely wouldn’t normally have the opportunity has been a great success. We are exploring expanding this program to give more EDCATS the opportunity to observe in rural schools. In addition to being good pre-service students, it is a great opportunity for rural school districts to highlight their strengths and build connections with future teachers who may have an interest in rural education.
Rural PDS Network Expands
Entering its second year, the Rural Education Center (REC) is proud to partner with Kansas school districts as part of a Rural Professional Development School network. This network exists to help address rural schools’ most pressing needs, provide a forum to share best practices, explore grant opportunities and highlight accomplishments. Fifteen districts across the state have joined the RPDS network, increasing from eight last year: Belle Plaine USD 357; Bluestem USD 205; Clay County USD 379; Dighton USD 482; Goodland USD 352; Kiowa County USD 422; Lakin USD 215; Liberal USD 480; Nemaha USD 115; Prairie Hills USD 113; Renwick USD 267; Skyline USD 438; Troy USD 429; Twin Valley USD 240; and Washington USD 108.
The National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) released a statement this year which notes that partnerships between universities and P-12 schools are among the most influential and meaningful relationships in the educational field. (https://3atjfr1bmy981egf6x3utg20-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-it-Means-to-be-a-PDS-Second-Edition-2021-Final.pdf) The Rural Professional Development School Network aims to leverage such partnerships with the districts above to further opportunities for rural schools in the state of Kansas. Already, this has led to collaboration on grants, provided technology that brings new opportunities to students, and professional development to teachers. With additional partner districts, the REC is looking forward to additional collaborations in the future. Plans for summer STEAM academies, additional STEM training for rural teachers and events for their students, and other exciting initiatives are currently in the planning stages. By focusing on rural schools exclusively, the RPDS creates a unique opportunity to build connections among this
Denise O’Dea, Superintendent at Washington (USD 108) and new RPDS member is enthusiastic about the possibilities the partnership presents. Washington is a one building district, located in northeast Kansas and serves about 370 students. O’Dea shared that her district, like most rural districts, offers students an exceptional education but acknowledges that the isolation from metropolitan areas may not provide the same resources that students in larger schools may have. She is hopeful that the partnership with the REC will provide access to more resources and materials to help her students. It also presents an opportunity to assist with recruiting student teachers and retaining staff.
The Rural Education Center is excited about the opportunities to partner with these schools. The opportunities for collaboration and working to secure resources for students across the state.
Rural Reads
Here’s an article discussing the perceptions of postsecondary education and training in rural areas:
Read stories from one rural Kansas town who has mastered “shrinking smart, rather than withering”:
Data analysis that helps rural communities invest in their strengths and leverage assets:
Kansas Profile is a weekly post highlighting individuals or companies in rural Kansas who are making a difference to their community and state:
https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasprofile/
Rural school districts can be creative in solving the internet connectivity gap—but they need support:
“Despite lack of funding, rural schools can serve as sites of learning, community, and excellence. We need to understand both the problems and opportunities to make good education policy.”
And here’s what we’ve been listening to recently:
https://nrea.simplecast.com/ – National Rural Education Association Podcast
https://www.thehomecomers.org/ – The Homecomers Podcast with Sarah Smarsh, author of Heartland
Connect with us, Rural Summit plans
Planning for the annual Rural Summit is currently underway! Details about this meeting, which will happen in Spring 2022, will be available soon. This is a great opportunity to bring rural educators and community partners together for meaningful dialogue and networking. We hope you’ll be able to join us!
Are you interested in learning more about the REC or have questions for us? We’d love to connect with you! Find us here:
Email: ruraled@ksu.edu
Phone: 785.532.3977
Website: https://www.coe.ksu.edu/rec
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KSURuralED