Rural Teacher Leader Network
The Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN) is designed to develop a sustainable network of Eastern NC rural educators who seek to improve their practice and foster community with teacher leaders from across districts.
Supporting Rural Educators,
Strengthening Rural Leadership Networks
Rural schools are the heart of many North Carolina communities, offering students a strong sense of belonging, connection to place, and deep community pride. Rural educators are deeply committed to their students, but often carry out this work with fewer resources, smaller professional networks, and limited access to the kinds of leadership and professional learning opportunities more readily available in urban districts.
At the same time, rural districts nationwide face persistent challenges with teacher recruitment and retention—especially in high-need subject areas—paired with professional isolation, limited access to equity-centered and trauma-responsive training, and fewer pathways to leadership and certification.The Rural Teacher Leader Network responds by building a sustainable network of rural educators in Eastern North Carolina who are committed to improving their practice, sharing knowledge across districts, and fostering a strong community of teacher leaders. Through this network, rural educators are supported not only to remain in the classroom but to thrive as leaders who strengthen schools and expand opportunities for students.
THE NEED
Rural educators are deeply rooted in their communities—and deserve systems that invest in their leadership.
“Opportunities for teacher leadership are also critically important to sustaining and growing the most effective and accomplished teachers.”
(Berry, Daughtrey, & Wieder, 2010, p. 5)
Investing in teacher leadership strengthens schools and helps communities thrive.
Rural teachers bring deep knowledge of their students and communities but have fewer structured spaces to collaborate, mentor, and lead. Expanding these opportunities builds stronger schools and more connected communities.
(Berg-Jacobson & Levin, 2022)
North Carolina’s rural educators are ready to lead solutions from within.
One NC district reported a 14.9% teacher attrition rate in 2022, nearly double the state average of 7.78%. Strengthening local leadership and professional development networks helps educators remain—and lead—in the communities they serve.
(Campbell University Magazine, 2023)
OUR WORK
Since its inception the program has grown from serving rural districts in the Eastern part of the state to also serving districts in the Western part of the state. In 2023, the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity (Flood Center) in partnership with LEADING Edge Learning, Participate Learning, the Center for Resilience & Learning launched a western RTLN cohort in collaboration with an additional partner, GEAR UP at Appalachian State University. The western cohort includes educators from Allegany, Ashe, Burke, Clay, Graham, Madison, Swain, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. The RTLN is made possible through a generous grant made by the Anonymous Trust. This ongoing partnership has funded three cohorts and is supporting the fourth cohort which is currently running from August 2025 – November 2026.
Each RTLN cohort is made up of no more than 40 educators from The cohorts from Duplin, Greene, Jones, Onslow, Sampson, Lenoir, Wayne, Robeson, Columbus, Scotland, Cumberland, Hoke and Bladen County school districts. The 15-month curriculum aids educators in developing knowledge and skills equity, trauma-informed instruction, policy, and teacher leadership. Learning objectives for the Rural Teacher Leader Network include:
- Build an equity lens by examining the impact of historical and current inequities on schools and student outcomes, and apply strategies that ensure every student’s identity, opportunity, and potential are fully realized.
- Deepen understanding of trauma, toxic stress, and the science of learning, and implement evidence-based, trauma-informed, and social-emotional strategies that foster safe, supportive, and resilient school cultures.
- Strengthen knowledge of the education policy landscape—from school to federal levels—by exploring how budgets, benefits, and class size policies impact classrooms, and identify opportunities to engage with policymakers to advance equity and teacher support.
- Develop a strong teacher leadership identity and community, understand spheres of influence, and apply leadership in action by facilitating professional learning, mentoring peers, and advocating for change within schools and districts.
GET INVOLVED
The Rural Teacher Leader Network has served hundreds of educators in rural districts, supporting educators in strengthening their classroom capacity and expanding their leadership & advocacy locally and statewide. We continue to serve rural educators and alumni of the RTLN program through the RTLN Alumni Network and Rural Educator Enrichment Program (REEP).
Opportunities for Rural Educators
JOIN THE NETWORK
Interested in joining a future Rural Teacher Leader Network cohort? Complete the interest form to stay connected and be the first to receive updates about upcoming opportunities.
NEWS
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Rural Teacher Leader Network promotes collaboration across districts
By Cheyenne McNeill, EducationNCJuly 17, 2023 In 2021, the Public School Forum of North Carolina launched the first cohort of the Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN), which is designed for […]
Contact Us
For inquiries or further information, please email rtln@ncforum.org.