S05E03 - Making Connections in Rural Math: Jeff Granrud, NREA Teacher of the Year

About this episode

Jeff Granrud, the NREA’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, shares his journey in rural math teaching and emphasizes the importance of community connections and student engagement.

Jeff Granrud, the NREA’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, traces his path to rural math teaching to a timely scholarship nudge from a professor during a tough first year of college, then a formative student-teaching experience under North Dakota Teacher of the Year Fred Strand. Early confidence gave way to a student-driven approach as he adapted to how learners were doing math, listened to “unsung heroes” asking for more challenging courses, and focused on making the subject exciting, whether students love it or hate it. He describes the double-edged nature of technology in rural schools. It lets him share notes and videos easily, but it also siphons students into external online college courses instead of those offered in-house. Cohorts feel familiar across decades, yet more students now insist on being heard, including quiet ones who communicate in unconventional ways. He works to give them a voice. Granrud stays rural because it is home and because he values knowing every student in a high school surrounded by corn and bean fields. His advice to new rural teachers is to immerse themselves in the community, from throwing hay in 105-degree barns to understanding harvest schedules that…

People in this episode

Guest: Jeff Granrud

Topics covered

• rural education
• math teaching
• student engagement
• technology in education
• community involvement

Keywords

• Teacher of the Year
• rural math
• student-driven approach
• technology
• community ties

Mentioned in this episode

Products: math tools, educational technology

Places: North Dakota

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