Missy Testerman

Rural educators are the linchpins of their communities: they teach, coach, mentor, and often lead local initiatives. In my 33 years as a teacher in Rogersville, Tennessee, I was not just a teacher—I was a neighbor, a volunteer, and a bridge between school and community. The demands on rural teachers are heavy: we wear multiple hats and juggle limited resources. We do so because we care about our local communities.

Supporting rural teachers begins with listening. What do they need? Flexible professional development? Reliable broadband? More resources and access to materials? For me, realizing that people in our community really wanted to help our public schools was a turning point; it meant that I was able to partner with people who had their own skills and abilities that could benefit our school’s students.

Communities can make meaningful impact locally. Welcome events for new families foster belonging, but those things require funding to purchase food and materials. Donations to purchase books, art supplies, or sports equipment ease the financial load schools face. Long-term solutions to ensure our teachers and students have the resources they need often depend on policy. Advocating for rural school funding to local, state, and federal officials sends a message that a vibrant, successful school system is important to citizens.

If you’re a parent, policymaker, a local citizen, or a fellow educator, consider these steps:

• Attend your local school board meetings and see what issues are important to schools in your area.
• If you or your employer have resources that could be useful for students, reach out and ask your local principal or a local teacher and offer those things. This can include donations or partnering with a school to offer classroom visits.
• Make it clear to elected officials that you support public schools and believe they should be funded in a way that allows them to reach every student.

Our most remote schools often foster the most resilient, innovative educators. It’s up to all of us to uplift them. An investment in equitable education is an investment in every child’s future as well as the continued prosperity of our local communities and our nation.