Understanding Rurality: A Foundation for Rural Education Leaders
Written by Dr. Melissa Sadorf, ARSA Executive Director
When I first stepped into the role of superintendent of a rural school district, I had my share of misconceptions. Though I’d grown up in a rural community, attended a rural school, and even taught in rural areas, leading a rural district was a different beast entirely. I quickly realized that no two rural places are the same, and the challenges that came with rural leadership were far more complex than I had anticipated. This realization marked the beginning of a journey where I would not only discover what makes rural education unique but also come to understand the incredible diversity and strength that exists within rural communities.
The Rural Misconception
It wasn’t long into my superintendency when someone asked, “When do you plan on moving to a larger district? You’ve done your time in rural education, right?” I was floored. For them, rural education was a stepping stone, a smaller, less significant version of the “real” work that takes place in suburban or urban schools. But I knew better. There’s a common misconception that rural education is merely a temporary stop on the path to a larger, more prestigious position. In reality, rural education is a deeply rewarding career locale where the challenges are often met with innovation, tight-knit communities, and a sense of purpose that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Part of the problem lies in the way people define "rural." Rural areas are often seen through a simplistic lens—a wide expanse of farmland, small towns, and limited resources. This image might hold true for some rural places, but rural America is far more diverse and complex than most realize. Rural areas can be found in deserts, forests, mountains, or near coastal regions, each with its own unique set of circumstances. For example, my experiences in the high desert of the Arizona borderlands are worlds apart from what rural looks like in Maine’s wooded landscapes or the open plains of the Dakotas.
The term "rural" is often used as a catch-all to describe anything that isn’t urban, but this fails to capture the nuances of rural life. Place and context matter in rural education, and understanding these nuances is crucial for effective leadership.
The Diversity of Rural Communities
One of the most eye-opening lessons I learned early on is that rural is not a monolith. The people who live and work in rural communities are as diverse as the landscapes they inhabit. In some rural areas, you might find a close-knit, multi-generational community of ranchers or farmers, like the Malpai Ranch in the San Bernardino Valley where I spent much of my childhood. In other rural settings, such as Alaska, you might encounter a predominantly Indigenous population living in remote conditions with limited access to modern amenities.
This diversity extends to the assets that rural communities bring to the table. Some rural areas may be rich in natural resources, while others may have a strong tradition of craftsmanship or agricultural expertise. In my former district, for instance, the community’s strength lies in its deep connection to the land and its strong sense of cultural identity. These assets are vital to the success of the school because they oƯer a foundation upon which to build educational programs that resonate with the students and their families.
However, with this diversity also comes challenges. Teacher recruitment and retention, for example, is a perennial issue in rural districts across the country. Many rural schools struggle to attract and keep qualified educators, particularly in specialized subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The lack of resources—both in terms of personnel and funding—compounds this problem. In some rural districts, teachers are asked to wear many hats, serving not only as educators but also as coaches, club sponsors, and even bus drivers.
Despite these challenges, rural educators often rise to the occasion with a level of creativity and resourcefulness that is unique to rural schools. This is where the true strength of rural education lies: in its ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity.
Rural Communities as Educational Hubs
Another common misconception about rural education is that it is somehow isolated or disconnected from broader societal trends. In reality, rural schools often serve as the central hub of their communities. In many rural areas, the school is the largest employer, the primary source of extracurricular activities, and the gathering place for social and cultural events. For many families, the school represents not just a place of learning but the heart of the community.
During my time as superintendent, I saw firsthand how the school can bring people together. Whether it’s a Friday night football game or a school board meeting, rural schools foster a sense of unity and shared purpose that extends beyond the classroom. In this way, rural schools are more than educational institutions—they are vital components of the social fabric that holds rural communities together.
However, this interconnectedness can also present challenges. The close-knit nature of rural communities means that everyone knows everyone else’s business, which can blur the lines between personal and professional relationships. As a rural leader, it’s crucial to navigate these dynamics carefully, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the students and the school while maintaining the trust and respect of the community.
Innovations Born of Necessity
One of the most striking aspects of rural education is the innovation that emerges out of necessity. With fewer resources and support systems in place, rural educators often have to get creative in order to meet the needs of their students. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools across the country were forced to transition to online learning.
In my district and many others, access to technology and reliable broadband was a significant barrier to online education. Many students didn’t have internet access at home, and our school’s resources were limited. But instead of waiting for help from the state or federal government, many took matters into their own hands. They partnered with local businesses to provide Wi-Fi hotspots for students, or brought a Wi-Fi enabled bus to a central location, allowing them to continue their education despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. This kind of community collaboration is a hallmark of rural education— when resources are scarce, rural leaders find innovative solutions to ensure their students don’t fall behind.
This spirit of innovation is not new to rural education. Rural schools have always had to make do with less, and this has fostered a culture of resilience and adaptability. Whether it’s finding creative ways to recruit and retain teachers, leveraging local resources to enhance the curriculum, or developing partnerships with neighboring districts, rural educators are constantly finding new ways to overcome the challenges they face.
The Importance of Storytelling in Rural Education
One of the most powerful tools rural educators have is the ability to tell their stories. In a world where education policy is often shaped by urban and suburban perspectives, it’s essential for rural leaders to share their experiences and highlight the unique challenges and successes of rural education.
For too long, rural voices have been underrepresented in national conversations about education. This has led to a lack of understanding—and sometimes even a lack of empathy—for the struggles rural schools face. But by telling our stories, we can shift the narrative and ensure that rural schools are not just an afterthought in policy discussions.
One of the stories I often share is how our district banded together during the pandemic to provide for our students. It wasn’t just about delivering online lessons—it was about ensuring that our students had the tools and the support they needed to succeed. This story, like so many others from rural schools across the country, illustrates the power of community, innovation, and perseverance in rural education.
Why Rural Leadership Matters
At the heart of this discussion is a simple but powerful truth: rural education matters. It matters because rural schools serve millions of students across the country. It matters because rural communities depend on their schools not just for education but for their very survival. And it matters because rural educators are some of the most dedicated, innovative, and resilient professionals in the field.
As rural leaders, we have a responsibility to advocate for our schools and our students. We must work to ensure that rural voices are heard in policy discussions, that rural schools receive the resources they need, and that the unique challenges of rural education are recognized and addressed.
But more than that, we have a responsibility to embrace the strengths of our communities and build on them. Rural education is not a lesser version of urban or suburban education—it is a vibrant, diverse, and essential part of the American educational landscape. And by sharing our stories, celebrating our successes, and advocating for our students, we can ensure that rural education continues to thrive.