Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Devon Brenner, President of the National Rural Education Association (NREA) and Director of the Rural Education Research and Initiatives Lab at Mississippi State University. Together, they dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping rural education today — from teacher recruitment and retention, to building stronger rural teacher prep programs, to the role of policy in sustaining thriving rural communities.
Dr. Brenner reflects on her NREA presidency, previews the upcoming National Forum to Advance Rural Education (NFARE), and shares her groundbreaking work on NSF-funded projects that address rural STEM teacher preparation and rural student belonging in higher education. They also explore her book Teaching in Rural Places and the unique role of rural educators in their schools and communities.
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Devin Brenner
01:39 Dr. Brenner's Role and Contributions
02:39 NREA Presidency Highlights
05:48 Challenges and Stances in Rural Education
07:53 Upcoming NREA Conference
10:15 Mississippi State's Rural Education Initiatives
12:25 Collaborations Across Institutions
15:17 NSF Noyce Collaboration
20:30 Rising Network and Belonging in Rural STEM
27:05 Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program
32:12 Research to Practice Questions for Rural Leaders
36:24 Teaching in Rural Places
40:37 Future Directions and Rural Advantage
43:36 Conclusion and Call to Action
Closing Summary:
Dr. Devon Brenner highlights the resilience, diversity, and deep community ties that define rural education. From national policy advocacy to local partnerships, her work emphasizes that rural schools are not just places of learning — they are the heartbeat of their communities. As her NREA presidency winds down, she calls on rural leaders, educators, and higher education institutions to strengthen teacher pipelines, foster belonging for rural students, and continue building networks that sustain rural schools.
Listeners are encouraged to take practical steps: create rural teacher residencies, co-design practicums, invite local employers to career nights, and bring teams to NFARE to collaborate on solutions. The future of rural education, as Dr. Brenner reminds us, is bright — because of the people and communities at its core.