About this episode

Michael discusses the future of rural education with key leaders in the field.

In this episode, Michael chats with Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the Arizona Rural Schools Association; Dr. Steven Johnson, Superintendent of Fort Ransom School District in North Dakota and leader of Rural Educational Associates; and Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, Executive Director of Rural Schools Collaborative. Together, they first offer a warm tribute to Dr. Allen Pratt, who is retiring as Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association. Then, they dive into the most important developments in rural education in 2024 and wrap up with some insights on what could be at the forefront in 2025 .

More episodes of Rural Matters

• A Community Approach to Rural Youth Success · July 9, 2026 · 34 min
• Reversing Brain Drain in Rural Haiti · April 29, 2026 · 30 min
• The Impact of School Closures on Rural Communities · April 9, 2026 · 26 min
• Responsible Energy Development in Rural Communities · January 19, 2026 · 40 min
• Transforming Rural Health Policy · January 14, 2026 · 22 min
• Reimagining Rural Hospitals (Part 2 of BRG Series) · September 16, 2025 · 45 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Rural Matters podcast page.