RALEIGH, NC (July 22, 2022) – Last year, the Public School Forum of North Carolina convened the inaugural cohort of the Rural Teacher Leadership Network, which is designed to bring together diverse groups of educators across North Carolina who seek to strengthen their practice, foster community with teacher leaders from across other rural districts, and develop their leadership capacity to guide other teachers in their schools. The network creates a strong and lasting community of rural educators with a focus on equity, trauma-informed practice, global education, and teacher leadership.

Under the programmatic leadership of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity (Flood Center) in partnership with Leading EDge Learning, a second cohort will be convened during the 2022-23 school year consisting of 36 teachers in seven counties. “Much like the participants from the first cohort, we look forward to the participants in this second cohort developing an equity and trauma-informed lens to guide their advocacy efforts, strengthen their leadership skills, and build the capacity of other educators to ultimately benefit every student,” said Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith the Flood Center’s Senior Director. “The teacher applicant pool was strong of the teachers who wished to participate in this opportunity.”

“We hope to continue alumni support for the previous cohort and continue the Rural Teacher Leader Network post this second cohort as allowed by current grant funding as there is a clear need and demand for the program.” Providing these opportunities for educators helps provide support, allowing them to engage with their peers in intentional ways and providing safe spaces for authentic conversations and experiences to transform professional practices.

The RTLN was made possible through a generous grant made by the Anonymous Trust, and will initially support this inaugural cohort that comprises educators from Clinton City, Duplin County, Greene County, Jones County, Onslow County, Sampson County, and Wayne County schools.

More than forty educators applied for participation in RTLN; participants were admitted through a rigorous selection process. We would like to congratulate this year’s cohort members, who are listed below.

2022-2023 Rural Teacher Leader Network

To learn more about the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity and to see a list of events and resources please visit www.ncforum.org/floodcenter and join us in the fight for equity, access, and opportunity in education. 

For media inquiries, please contact Deanna Townsend-Smith at 919-781-6833 x114 or dtownsend-smith@ncforum.org.

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