Future teachers, community leaders: Inside Ohio University’s Rural Teacher Corps

Amelia Woolard knows that teaching in a rural classroom will require more than lesson plans and textbooks.

“Joining the Rural Teacher Corps was a way for me to give back to the community that raised me, and I was inspired by the chance to help create a program that supports local schools,” said Woolard, a student at Ohio University Eastern. “This experience has shown me that teaching in a rural community isn’t just about the curriculum; it’s about learning from the community as much as you teach within it.”

Woolard is one of three interns working with Dr. Jacqueline Yahn, associate professor of teacher education at Ohio University Eastern and Emily Bentley, education engagement specialist at Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C), helping to design and lead programming for Ohio University’s Rural Teacher Corps this year. Alongside her are Jessica Schwartz, also from the Eastern Campus, and Emma King from the Zanesville Campus. Together, they guide a cohort of eight pre-service teachers committed to teaching in rural communities.

“The Rural Teacher Corps field trips we have taken have shown me ways that we can include our community in the learning experience as teachers,” Schwartz said. “Not only do activities like this make learning fun, but it also shows students opportunities within their own community that they may not have known about before. When we connect the classroom to the community, we are opening doors for our students and their success.”

King said the experience she is gaining in the program will help her greatly in her career.

“It’s an honor to help shape the Rural Teacher Corps from behind the scenes,” King said. “I hope to take what I’ve learned here into my future classroom, connecting students with their community and helping them see the opportunities all around them.”

A program built on a national model

The Rural Teacher Corps at Ohio University is part of a larger movement championed by the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC). Since its founding in 2015, RSC has focused on the potential of rural teacher corps programs, inspired by Missouri’s Ozarks Teacher Corps. The organization has provided more than $450,000 in planning grants to help schools establish or strengthen programs, laying the foundation for the Community of Learners initiative.

This three-year Rural Educator Ecosystem initiative, funded by two grants, underscores the growing recognition that teachers play a vital role in sustaining vibrant rural communities. Its network includes Established Programs, Emerging Programs, and Project Partners — all dedicated to building intentional pathways for rural educators.

Ohio University’s own Rural Teacher Corps grew out of this work. In 2023, the University received a Catalyst Initiative Grant from RSC to design a locally responsive program addressing teacher shortages in Appalachian Ohio. Building on its Rural Teacher Fellowship, which supports in-service educators with mentors and professional development, the University expanded the model to undergraduates with the help of nonprofit BB2C.

Yahn, who serves as the co-leader of the Ohio Hub, said the program reflects the unique opportunities and challenges of rural education.

“I often say: ‘Rural places are remote, but our possibilities don’t have to be!’ Our partnership with Building Bridges to Careers, coupled with the support of the Rural Schools Collaborative, allows us to develop a fellowship that serves teachers and now pre-service teachers throughout all of Appalachian Ohio,” Yahn said.

Learning by doing

Members of the Rural Teacher Corps spend the year connecting classroom learning to community assets. The highlight of this work is developing a project with a community partner.

To accomplish this students, participate in workshops focused on Community and Career Connected Learning, social capital, and real world problem scenarios. They take field trips hosted by the community partner to learn about the partner’s work in the local community and to explore ideas for their project. 

This year’s partner is Captina Conservatory. For the interns, the work with Captina illustrates the program’s core mission.

“We’re building something that will help future teachers like us make a lasting difference in rural communities,” Woolard said.

Sustaining rural schools

The program emphasizes place-based education, connecting lessons to local culture, history, and economic opportunities. By preparing educators who understand the strengths and realities of rural life, the Rural Teacher Corps aims to not only recruit teachers but also retain them.

Supported by RSC’s national network and partners like the Sugarbush Foundation, the program seeks to create a pipeline of educators dedicated to sustaining vibrant schools across Appalachian Ohio.

Community members, schools, and local organizations are encouraged to mentor students, share local knowledge, or offer career-based learning experiences.

For more information, visit ruralschoolscollaborative.org or contact Yahn at yahnj@ohio.edu.