The Rural Scoop

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf welcomes Thomas Thompson, CEO and co-founder of EduAid AI, to explore how artificial intelligence can support educators without replacing the expertise, judgment, and creativity of teachers. Drawing from his experience as a middle school social studies teacher in Maryland, Thomas shares how teacher burnout, limited planning ti...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf talks with Ronn Nozoe, CEO of the National Principals Association, about the changing role of school leaders and NPA's transition to a unified pre-K–12 organization. Ronn shares why this new structure creates a stronger home for elementary and rural principals, while highlighting the unique strengths of rural leaders, incl...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf speaks with Dr. Jeremy Kasten, Director of College Counseling at Brookwood School, about the challenges rural students can face during the college admissions process. Jeremy explains how rural students may be overlooked not because they lack ability, but because admissions officers may lack the context needed to fully understa...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf talks with Jennifer McElwain, a learning support teacher, about co-teaching, high expectations, and creating meaningful learning opportunities for all students, including students with disabilities. Jennifer shares her experience building a strong co-teaching partnership and explains how effective collaboration requires shared...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: For generations, many rural students have grown up believing that success requires leaving home behind. In this inspiring episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Lisa Kennedy—rural scholar, Georgetown graduate, Oxford researcher, and former U.S. Department of Education Rural Engagement Intern—to challenge that narrative. Lisa shares her personal journey from rural Wisconsin to...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this inspiring episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Jennie Ren, a recent graduate of Benton Consolidated High School in rural Illinois and the first student in her school's history to earn admission to an Ivy League university. Rather than viewing her acceptance to Columbia University as a way to leave rural America behind, Jennie sees it as an oppo...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: School consolidation is one of the most difficult conversations a rural community can face. It impacts far more than budgets and buildings—it touches traditions, identities, and generations of community pride. In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Derek Cantrell, Principal of Allegany High School and Virginia's Principal of the Year, to discuss...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: For years, little national data existed about the people leading America's school districts. In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Rachel White, Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin and founder of the Superintendent Lab, to discuss how her groundbreaking research is changing what we know about superintendent leadership. R...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. PJ Caposey, Superintendent of Oregon Community Unit School District 220, nationally recognized educational leader, author of ten leadership books, keynote speaker, and former Illinois Superintendent of the Year. PJ shares the defining leadership lessons that came from early failures, including a staff and st...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Rural school leaders wear far more hats than most people realize. In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Amon Couch, Senior Advisor at Partners for Rural Impact and former rural superintendent, to explore what it truly means to lead in rural America. Drawing from decades of experience as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and systems leader, D...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: What happens when a child grows up believing their future has already been written—but a teacher refuses to accept that ending? In this heartfelt episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with educator, speaker, and author Justin Pickens to explore the life-changing impact of intentional educators in rural schools. Justin shares his remarkable journey from a childho...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: What if the biggest factor in teacher retention isn't salary or workload—but whether educators feel supported? In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Ildi Laczko-Kerr, co-founder and CEO of Ribbit Learning Company, to discuss how personalized coaching is transforming professional learning for educators—especially those serving in rural school...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: What does it take to lead a rural school where every decision, every relationship, and every student truly matters? In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Will Darter, superintendent, author of The Empowered Rural Education Leader, and host of the Rural Education Leaders Podcast. Together, they explore why rural leadership is uniquely positioned...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping education, workforce development, and society—but how can rural schools navigate these changes without getting caught up in hype or fear? In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Christian Pinedo, Vice President of External Affairs and Advocacy at AIEDU, to discuss what AI readiness really means for schools....

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with education policy leader Rachel Rush-Marlowe to discuss the critical role rural community colleges play in student success and community sustainability. Rachel shares how her personal rural upbringing shaped her passion for postsecondary access and explains why community colleges serve as far more than educationa...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Alex Reader to explore how intentional STEM programming and family engagement can strengthen rural schools. Alex shares his journey from engineering into education entrepreneurship and discusses how his company, STIX, partners with rural communities to create affordable, hands-on STEM experiences that spark care...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Erin Iler Smith, an educator in Chattooga County, Georgia, who transformed an underutilized school garden into a thriving greenhouse and outdoor learning space. What began as a vision for hands-on learning evolved into a community-supported initiative that connects students to STEM education, agricultural pathwa...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Lindsay Colyer, Mississippi's Rural Teacher of the Year and a science teacher at the Mississippi School of the Arts. Dr. Colyer shares her journey from earning a Ph. D. and working in higher education to finding her calling in rural classrooms. She discusses the realities of teaching multiple science s...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this solo episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf explores a powerful metaphor shared by education leader Jeffrey Matteson: America’s shift from the “front porch” to the “back deck.” Using this image, Melissa reflects on how society has become increasingly private, curated, and disconnected from the everyday interactions that once built strong communities. Drawing on her...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Rural America is often discussed as a single story, but the reality is far more complex. In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Sarah Melotte, writer and data editor for The Daily Yonder, to explore the population shifts reshaping rural communities across the country. Drawing from her recent reporting, Sarah explains why rural America can be growing overall while nearl...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Melissa Sadorf sits down with three influential leaders from the North Dakota Small Organized Schools (NDSOS): Mike Heilman, Mike Bitz, and Brandt Dick. Together, they explore the vital role small rural schools play in their communities, the realities of legislative advocacy, and the challenges facing education in North Dakota—including teacher...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this compelling episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Sadorf sits down with Cassie Owens Moore, a middle school librarian from Seneca, South Carolina, whose work is redefining what a school library can be. With nearly two decades of experience as an English Language Arts teacher before transitioning into librarianship, Cassie shares how her passion for reading, equity, and student be...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Melanie Matta, Superintendent and Principal of Hope Elementary School District in California. Melanie shares her journey into leadership, the realities of leading in a small rural district, and the deeply human side of leadership that often goes untaught. Drawing from her new book Unwritten: The Leadership Entry...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Hayley Spira-Bauer, a leader in virtual education and a passionate advocate for equitable access in schools. While Hayley’s background is rooted in urban education, her work with districts across the U.S. has given her a powerful perspective on the realities facing rural communities—especially in special education and staffing. To...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Lisa Parady, Executive Director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators, to explore what it truly takes to lead schools in one of the most remote and challenging education landscapes in the United States. From communities only accessible by plane to schools facing critical infrastructure challenges, L...