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Listen to this month’s Redefining Rural Podcast where Kirk talks to Erica Ryan, Post-Secondary Workforce Specialist at CDE. In this episode they discuss the new Teacher Recruitment, Education, and Preparation program (TREP) that offers the opportunity for high school students to have two years of higher education paid for by the state. Check out this podcast to learn more about TREP!

Listen to the latest episode of Redefining Rural with Denille, Michelle, and Kirk as they speak to Dr. Katie Anderson-Pence, the Associate Dean at the University of CO, Colorado Springs, and Dave Slothower, the Superintendent of Calhan School District. The guest speakers talk about a robust Registered Apprenticeship Program that focus’ on supporting paraprofessionals becoming licensed teachers and the positive effects this will have on teacher retention moving forward.

This season we’re focusing on exciting teacher recruitment and retention projects around the state of Colorado. In this episode you will hear from Paul Major about a new project that provides housing for educators. Todd Bittner, the superintendent of the Norwood School District in South West CO, describes the housing availability in his community and the innovative solutions to provide support for single teachers looking to move to and teach in the area. Listen to this episode to learn more about this unique project!

Redefining Rural is back for season four! Join Michelle Murphy of the Colorado Rural Alliance, Denille LePlatt of the South Central BOCES, and Kirk Banghart, Chief Facilitator of the Colorado Rural Education Collaborative, to learn about teacher recruitment and retention programs that are making a difference throughout the state of Colorado in rural communities.  To learn more, listen to the entire episode here: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

Learn about the final two of the five students who have received the Redefining Rural Scholarship through the amazing work they’ve put into their schools and local communities. Ashlynn and Tuff share in individual videos what steps they’ve taken to improve their communities and what their goals are moving forward. https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural  

In Part one of our two part episode we will introduce you to three of the five students from rural communities around Colorado that have truly shown what it means to “redefine rural” and have received the Redefining Rural Scholarship. Nick, Elizabeth, and Mohammad are all recent graduates who have taken initiative to improve their communities and are going to continue their efforts as they move forward in their next adventure. We are in awe of these student leaders and are proud to support their continued education and work. https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

Listen to this month’s episode of Redefining Rural Podcast focused on innovation and college and career readiness. Hear from Jess Morrison, Allanah Roman, and Krista Kay and their experience being part of the Southwestern Colorado Education Collaborative and what their vision for this collaborative moving forward! 

This month’s Redefining Rural Podcast goes over the amazing work that’s being done within the I-76 Corridor. You will hear from Elliot Zettas and Kirk Banghart with @genschools about the projects they have been working on to increase College and Career programming. Becky Langlois and Rena Frasco will also share their experience being a part of I-76 Collaborative and how it has impacted their districts directly. To learn more, listen to the entire episode here: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

Hear from the Superintendents from the East and West Grand School Districts: Frank Reeves & Liz Bauer. In this episode Frank and Liz discuss the Homegrown Talent Initiative, the work they’ve done separately and as a team within Grand County, and how they are creating community in and outside of their schools.  To learn more, listen to the entire episode here: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

“Jennifer Nesselhuf & Lauren Votruba: Pathway to Prosperity at Santa Fe Trails BOCES” is out now!! Lauren, Assistant Director, and Jennifer, Special Project Coordinator, both share their roles and the changes that are being made at Santa Fe Trails BOCES in order to support students and their goals for the future. Students explore a variety of career opportunities and experience real life problem solving through these new programs.  To learn more, listen to the entire episode here: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

“College and Career Readiness Programing at Santa Fe Trails BOCES” Watch and listen to Lauren Votruba and Jennifer Nesselhuf of the Santa Fe Trails BOCES talk about their amazing Pathways to Prosperity program with Redefining Rural’s Kirk Banghart. To listen to the entire episode, be sure to click the link in the bio and follow Redefining Rural on all our platforms: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural 

We are back for another great season of Redefining Rural ! Join Michelle, Denille and Kirk to hear about the up coming season.

“Honoring Dr. Rocco Fuschetto: Ignacio School District” is out now!! Before he retires, we were able to interview Superintendent Dr. Rocco Fuschetto of Ignacio School District. In this episode, we reflect on Dr. Rocco’s incredible life story and experiences in education. An Italian immigrant who came to America with nothing, Dr. Rocco currently has been in education for 49 years and is the recipient of the Demont Award from the Colorado Association of School Boards. To learn more, listen to the entire episode here: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

 We got to interview rural innovator Michael Lamond from Salida Middle School about the three-part project he did with his students inspired by the book “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park. Lamond had his students read the book, do a “Water Walk” carrying 5 gallons of water up Tenderfoot Mountain, and raise money for wells in Sudan, to which they raised over $7 thousand! Lamond did this project in order to give his students the perspective of those who don’t have accessible water nearby in their country. To learn more, listen to the entire episode here: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural #salidamiddleschool #salida #salidacolorado #ruralcolorado #ruralinnovators #innovators #ruraleducation #educationprojects #coloradoeducation #redefiningrural

“A Spotlight on Rural Innovators: Brittany Lang” is out now on all platforms! We had the pleasure of interviewing Brittany Lang, a local 8th Grade Science Teacher in Cortez, Colorado about her innovative Water Podcast project she is doing with her students! In the episode, Brittany Lang talks about the power of letting students create their own path through project oriented learning https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural   #cortez #cortezschool #cortezcolorado #coloradoeducation #redefiningrural #ruraleducation #teachers #teachersfollowteachers #innovativeteachers #projectorientedlearning #middleschool #colorado #ruralteachers

“A Spotlight on Rural Innovators: Gregg Cannady” is out now on all platforms! Listen to Michelle Murphy interview Gregg Cannady, an energetic and passionate teacher doing AMAZING things with outreach to rural students and communities while working at the STEM School in Highlands Ranch. To listen to the entire episode, be sure to click this link and follow Redefining Rural on all our platforms: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural #highlandsranch #redefiningrural #coloradoeducation #ruralteachers #ruraleducators #stemschool #ruralcolorado #stemschoolhighlandsranch

Buena Vista School District: The Power of In Person Learning! Watch and listen to Superintendent Lisa Yates of Buena Vista School District talk about the Power of In-Person Learning with Redefining Rural’s Kirk Banghart and Denille LePlatt. To listen to the entire episode, be sure to click this link and follow Redefining Rural on all our platforms: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural

In a brand-new episode of Redefining Rural called “Meeker School District: The Power of In Person Learning”, we interview Superintendent Chris Selle about his ongoing efforts to support his staff and students at Meeker School District since the pandemic began last spring. To listen to the entire episode, be sure to click this link and follow Redefining Rural on all our platforms: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural #meekerschooldistrict #redefiningrural #coloradoeducation #inpersonlearning

The day is finally here! Our newest episode, The Power of In Person Learning: Elizabeth School District is here! In our biggest episode yet, we interviewed administration, students and teachers from Elizabeth School District. Despite the struggles of the past year, everyone involved at Elizabeth School District was passionate about the importance of preserving in person learning for a variety of reasons. To listen to the entire episode, be sure to click this link and follow Redefining Rural on all our platforms: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural #redefiningrural #elizabethschooldistrict #coloradoeducation #inpersonlearning

“What I would say to any leader is to be as truthful as possible and available as possible and to stay with it. This too shall pass, and I really think we will learn some great lessons” Superintendent Shila Adolf out of the Valley School District RE-1 with honest and inspiring words about how we as educators can manage challenging times. This too shall pass! To listen to the entire episode, be sure to click this link and follow Redefining Rural on all our platforms: https://linktr.ee/redefiningrural #redefiningrural #ruraleducation #valleyschooldistrict #coloradoeducation #superintendents