The Rural Scoop

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Arnold Hillman, a lifelong rural education leader, advocate, and coalition builder whose career spans more than six decades. From his early days as a classroom teacher to his work as a superintendent, intermediate unit executive, and founder of statewide advocacy organizations, Dr. Hillman reflects on what i...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Montana State University and former rural and Indigenous school leader. Together, they explore why culture, language, identity, and wellness are not “add-ons” in rural schools—but the operating system that shapes everything from leadership decisio...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, host Dr. Melissa Sadorf is joined by Dennis Walto, Chief External Affairs Officer at Chiricahua Community Health Centers in Cochise County, Arizona. Dennis brings decades of global and U.S. health leadership to the rural borderlands, where he now leads innovative, community-centered healthcare solutions serving nearly one-third of the county’s p...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Steven Johnson, superintendent of Fort Ransom School District in North Dakota and long-time rural education advocate. With five decades of experience—as a rural leader, practitioner, policy translator, and farmer—Steve shares real-world stories of how policy decisions ripple through small communities. The conversation traces S...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Cat Hoth and Anne Landers from Junior Achievement of Arizona to explore Money in Motion, a mobile financial-literacy simulation built specifically for rural and tribal communities. This hands-on experience brings budgeting, critical thinking, and real-world decision-making directly to students—from 3rd grade all the way through hi...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this powerful conversation, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Alissa Hanrahan, principal in Chattooga County Schools (GA), to get real about what school safety actually looks like in rural districts today. Alissa takes us far beyond hardware, handbooks, and compliance checklists. She opens the door to the daily culture work of safety—emotional intelligence, self-regulation, rel...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this inspiring episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Beth Benedix, a professor emerita, nonprofit founder, and producer of the documentary North Putnam. Together, they explore the intersection of rural schools, community identity, and the transformative power of storytelling. Beth shares the surprising journey that led her into filmmaking, how her nonpro...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Shelly Munoz, STEM Curriculum Coordinator for Brainerd Public Schools, to explore what real, meaningful STEM looks like in a rural community. Shelly shares how her district builds coherent STEM pathways from elementary through high school, creates community-embedded learning, engages families, designs programs around equity, and f...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this inspiring episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf welcomes Jayme Braida, principal of Columbus Elementary in Southern Iowa and the 2024 Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year. Jayme shares her deeply personal story — from growing up in a small rural community marked by both strong connections and generational trauma, to leading a school that embodies belonging, purpose, and hope. Throu...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, host Melissa Sadorf sits down with Will Westmoreland, a Missouri farmer, rural storyteller, and founder of The Back 40 — a platform dedicated to elevating rural voices and driving practical solutions for rural communities. Will shares how his journey from TikTok advocate to national rural organizer led to initiatives like “Save the Heartland”,...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf talks with Joseph “Sepp” Sprietsma about what it truly means to prepare rural students for the future of work — not just for jobs, but for purpose, belonging, and community impact. Sepp shares stories from nearly 30 years of experience in Cochise County, Arizona, weaving together insights from education, workforce development, and community part...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with education leader Monica Gilfillan to explore how rural schools can embrace artificial intelligence in a safe, ethical, and community-centered way. Monica, a former special education teacher turned edtech innovator, shares practical strategies for implementing AI that strengthen — not replace — the human relationships that define r...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Cari Warnock, Senior Consultant at CDW, whose journey from cowgirl to corporate is as inspiring as it is grounded in the spirit of rural America. From her beginnings on a family ranch to leading multimillion-dollar education projects, Cari shares how grit, authenticity, and a deep commitment to community have sh...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this heartfelt solo episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf reflects on why rural education is worth fighting for. Drawing from decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, she shares personal stories, leadership lessons, and the unique strengths that make rural communities resilient. Dr. Sadorf highlights the “rural advantage” — the sense of belong...

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: In this episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Kirby Rabalais, founder of Got4titude, a coaching and community program designed to support fathers raising children with special needs. While moms are often the focus of support systems, dads frequently walk this journey in silence. Kirby shares his personal story of his son’s rare genetic diagnosis, the struggles and resilience...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Andy Mink, Director of the Smithsonian Rural Initiative, to explore how the Smithsonian is extending its reach into rural communities across the United States. From traveling exhibits like Museum on Main Street to innovative partnerships with schools, libraries, and local organizations, Andy shares how the Smith...

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 bu...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, Deputy Superintendent at the Georgia Department of Education and leader of the nation’s first Office of Rural Education and Innovation. With nearly 35 years of experience in public education and a background as superintendent in Early County, Dr. Ragan-Martin shares her inspiring leader...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Bill Chapman, Superintendent of London ISD in Texas and President-Elect of the National Rural Education Association (NREA). From his early days as a teacher and coach to leading districts and shaping national policy, Dr. Chapman shares his journey through rural education leadership. He discusses the unique c...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Krista Leh, CEO of Resonance Ed and nationally recognized SEL consultant, to explore how social and emotional learning (SEL) can be woven into the daily life of schools—especially in rural communities. Krista shares her journey from high school social studies teacher to SEL leader, her philosophy that SEL is “no...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf sits down with Dr. Greg Wyman, superintendent of the J.O. Combs Unified School District and author of the Substack Celebrating Traditional K–12 Public Education. With over four decades of service, Greg shares his leadership journey across Arizona’s rural and suburban schools, the principles that have shaped his career, and his...

Episode Summary: In this critical episode, Dr. Melissa Sadorf speaks with Jaime Green, a passionate superintendent from Trinity County, California, about the vital importance of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Act. Jaime shares his district’s challenges in the face of expired federal funding, why this legislation is essential for over 4,400 school districts, and how rural communities are mobilizing...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), dives into the impactful work of Wheel Fun, an Arizona-based nonprofit bringing afterschool mountain biking programs to rural schools. Executive Director Evan Puglia and Southeast Regional Manager Emilio Perez share how the program builds confidence, conne...

Episode Summary: In this powerful and timely conversation, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA ) , is joined by Leigh Routman, Executive Director of the Holocaust Learning Experience (HLE). Together, they explore how Holocaust education can be a transformative tool for rural and underserved districts—not only fulfilling curriculum mandates but a...

Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, returning guest Dr. Mara Tieken joins Dr. Melissa Sadorf to discuss her latest book, Educated Out: How Rural Students Navigate Elite Colleges and What It Costs Them. Dr. Tieken unpacks the layered experiences of nine rural first-generation college students who attended an elite liberal arts institution pseudonymously named Hilltop. Their journeys challeng...