The Rural Scoop

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...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Mike Beighley, Superintendent of the Whitehall School District in rural Wisconsin. Mike shares his journey into leadership and the bold shifts he’s leading to transform education in a rural setting. From embracing discomfort and redefining student success to launching an Emerging Technology Lab and fostering dee...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this solo episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf challenges a long-standing narrative in education—that rural schools are behind and need to catch up. Instead, she argues that rural education has been leading in many of the practices the broader field is now trying to adopt, including relationship-based learning, whole-child support, and community engagement. Drawing from data, lived expe...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Chris Lagoni to unpack the real challenges facing rural school systems—and the practical solutions leaders should be paying attention to. Chris shares his journey from classroom teacher to national rural education leader, offering a ground-level perspective on policy decisions that directly impact small communities. The conver...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Cleve Pilot, Director of the Fairfield Career & Technology Center in South Carolina, to explore the evolving role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in rural communities. Dr. Pilot shares his journey from a rural student learning welding and typing to becoming a nationally respected CTE leader. Drawing from his experi...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Cory Kulig to explore what it truly looks like to lead meaningful change in a rural school district. Rather than simply adopting new programs, Cory shares how thoughtful leadership decisions, community partnerships, and structural shifts have helped move his districts toward a more future-ready model. Cory discusses the urgency be...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Megan Duncan, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA). With more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, district leadership, and state-level administration, Dr. Duncan brings a comprehensive perspective on the realities facing today’s educatio...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Jacob Kantor, the self-described “District Office Door Opener” (Chief DODO), to unpack what it really takes for edtech vendors to earn trust with school systems in 2026. Jacob shares how he vets companies, why relationship-building still beats flashy demos, and what many founders misunderstand about district buying cycles—especial...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with David Little, Executive Director of the Rural Schools Association of New York State (RSA-NY), to unpack the policy realities shaping rural education. With more than four decades of experience in state government and education advocacy, David brings a rare insider perspective on how legislation is crafted—and how...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Some consultants bring binders. Dr. Daniel Truelove Jr. brings a blueprint for how people actually work together. In this powerful conversation, Daniel shares how schools can move beyond “people problems” and instead identify perspective gaps that create friction. Drawing from his background in psychology, education, and organizational consulting—and his own lived experiences—Dani...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Casey DeFord of Teach For America to explore the importance of developing and sustaining strong leadership pipelines in rural schools. Casey shares her professional journey from classroom teacher to national leadership roles focused on supporting rural educators. The conversation highlights the design and impact of the Rural Schoo...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf welcomes Dr. Catharine Biddle, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Maine and member of the National Rural Education Association Research Committee. Dr. Biddle shares how strengthening rural schools requires strengthening the ecosystems around them—by elevating youth voice, fostering community partnerships, building...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Alicia Williams, former Executive Director of the Arizona State Board of Education and current doctoral candidate at Harvard University. Together, they dive into the complex realities of educator ethics, policy, and leadership—moving beyond compliance to focus on prevention, culture, and responsibility. Drawing...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Margaret Buckton, a leading voice in school finance, legislation, and advocacy in Iowa. Margaret brings decades of experience translating complex policy into practical guidance for school boards, superintendents, and community leaders—particularly in rural settings. The conversation explores how recent policy sh...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this powerful and deeply practical episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Jack Moles, Executive Director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) and one of the most respected rural education leaders in the Midwest. Jack’s career spans the full arc of rural education—from classroom teacher and coach to principal, superintendent, and now...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Erika Wright, an education justice organizer based in Noble, Oklahoma. Erika shares her journey from classroom training to school board service, grassroots organizing, and statewide advocacy through the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition and the Advanced Oklahoma Kids Coalition. Together, they explore how meaningf...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Regina Washington-Arthur—a nationally respected public health leader and current head of the Rural Library Network—for a powerful conversation about service, equity, and rural innovation. Dr. Washington traces her journey from the hills of West Virginia to becoming the first African American to earn a Doctor...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Melissa Sadorf sits down with Casey Thomas Jacubowski, a lifelong rural educator whose career spans the classroom, district leadership, state policy, higher education, and advocacy. Drawing from his experiences in rural New York and beyond, Casey unpacks how urban-normative policies often fail rural schools—and what leaders can do instead. The c...