National Rural Education Association Official Podcast

In this episode of The Rural Voice, Dr. Christopher Silver, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, and Dr. Bill Chapman welcome Dr. Daniel Johnson, Professor of Music and Music Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he coordinates the graduate studies program in music education. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience teaching across the K–16 spectrum in public, independent, and community-based settings, Johnson brings both scholarly depth and practical insight to a conversation focused on rural education. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, the University of Arizona, and Emory University, his work spans rural music education, interdisciplinary arts education, and teacher professional development. An internationally recognized authority on classroom music instruction and assessment, he has presented widely to organizations such as the National Association for Music Education, the International Society for Music Education, and the College Music Society. He is also the editor of the new two-volume publication, Music Education in Rural America, as well as other works such as Holistic Musical Thinking and Musical Explorations: Fundamentals Through Experience. The episode begins with Johnson reflecting on his early teaching experiences in rural Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, where he developed a lasting appreciation for the importance of community connection, local context, and the role of music as a vehicle for human engagement in small-town schools. These formative experiences directly inform his current work, including his latest project, a two-volume book developed in collaboration with 20 rural teachers and teacher-educators from across the country. Designed as both a policy-oriented and practice-oriented resource, the project represents one of the first comprehensive efforts to center rural music education as a distinct and valuable area of study. The conversation then turns to key themes emerging from this work, including a critique of “urban normativity,” or the assumption that urban-centered models define educational quality. Johnson argues that such assumptions can obscure the strengths of rural schools and constrain how success is understood. Instead, he advances an asset-based framework that emphasizes what rural educators and communities already do well, encouraging a shift away from deficit-oriented thinking. Throughout the episode, the group explores the realities of rural music teaching, including the demands of serving as a generalist across grade levels and content areas, as well as the professional isolation that can accompany these roles. At the same time, Johnson highlights the unique opportunities rural contexts offer, including programmatic flexibility, sustained relationships with students, and a central role in fostering community identity and engagement. The discussion also addresses interdisciplinary arts integration, emphasizing how music can be meaningfully connected to other subject areas through shared conceptual frameworks rather than being treated as a supplementary or “special” subject. The episode concludes with practical implications for educators, school leaders, and policymakers, underscoring the importance of supporting music teachers, valuing locally grounded approaches, and creating space for innovation that reflects the realities of rural communities. Overall, this conversation offers a clear and applied perspective on how music education can serve as both a pedagogical tool and a community-building force, while challenging dominant assumptions about what constitutes quality education in rural settings.

In this episode of The Rural Voice Podcast, the conversation examines how school voucher and school choice policies affect rural communities. The hosts are joined by Dr. Preston Green, a nationally recognized scholar of education law, to explore why policies designed for large or urban districts can destabilize rural school systems. The discussion focuses on the realities of scale and context in rural education. In small, geographically dispersed districts, the loss of even a few students can lead to funding shortfalls, staffing cuts, consolidation, or school closures. The episode explores how voucher programs and charter expansion can redirect public funds without equivalent accountability, alter student rights and protections, and reduce meaningful educational options for rural families. A key feature of the conversation is Dr. Green’s proposal for “education preserves,” a policy approach modeled on natural resources law that would limit or prohibit voucher and charter expansion in particularly vulnerable rural areas. The episode offers a data-informed, policy-focused discussion designed for rural educators, school board members, policymakers, and community leaders seeking a clearer understanding of what is at stake for rural schools and the communities they anchor. Guest Bio Dr. Preston Green is the John and Maria Neag (knee-ag) Professor of Urban Education at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education and a Professor of Educational Leadership and Law. He is an expert on charter schools, school vouchers, student rights, school desegregation, and school finance. Dr. Green has written five books and published extensively in law reviews and peer-reviewed education journals. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. He earned his BA in Government from the University of Virginia and his JD and EdD from Columbia University.

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 pull students from class, because those ties reveal the culture and shape classroom relationships. As Teacher of the Year, his platform is firm and straightforward. Make connections with students through small, authentic moments, like painting school walls alongside art classes or wearing math pajamas during homecoming, because conversations outside the desk row change everything. Asked for a single wish, he splits the difference between tools and perception. Graphing calculators for every math teacher would be great, but the bigger wish is public recognition that teaching is not a nine-month, 7:15 to 3:15 job. Summers include graduate coursework and constant reflection aimed at sharpening timing, phrasing, and practice, ensuring that students and schools keep getting better. Guest Bio Jeff Granrud is a dedicated mathematics educator with nearly three decades of teaching experience at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Schools. A 1996 graduate of Mayville State University, Jeff went on to earn his Master of Arts in Education in 2003, further strengthening his expertise and commitment to student success. Over his 28 years at HLWW, he has built a reputation for engaging instruction, a supportive classroom environment, and a commitment to fostering both academic and personal growth in his students. Jeff’s excellence in education has been recognized through multiple awards, including the 2002 Leadership in Educational Excellence Award, the 2020 HLWW District Teacher of the Year honor, and the 2024 MREA Educator of Excellence Award. These recognitions highlight his dedication not only to his students but also to the broader educational community. Beyond the classroom, Jeff is an outdoor enthusiast who finds joy in sharing those passions with others. For more than a decade, he has led the Joe Woitalla Memorial Fishing Expo, helping take over 1,000 fourth graders fishing and inspiring a love for the outdoors. He also serves as a Minnesota DNR Hunter Safety Instructor and has coached high school sports for the past 27 years. In addition, he served 11 years with the Howard Lake Fire and Ambulance Departments, reflecting his deep commitment to service, mentorship, and leadership within his rural community.

In this episode, Drs. Melissa Sadorf, Bill Chapman, and Christopher Silver discuss the upcoming NREA convention. Together, they highlight the excitement surrounding the gathering and share what they are most eager to experience, from key sessions to opportunities for professional growth. The hosts reflect on how these conventions create space for educators to step away from day-to-day fires, reconnect with colleagues, and return inspired by fresh ideas and renewed energy. The discussion also explores upcoming announcements and organizational updates that will shape the year ahead for rural education. Listeners will hear how the NREA continues to serve as both a professional network and a source of advocacy for educators working in a wide range of contexts and often challenging conditions. By blending personal anticipation with broader reflections on the organization's mission, the episode offers a preview not just of the event itself, but of the deeper sense of community and collaboration that defines the NFARE experience. We set the stage for what to expect at NFARE!!!!

In this episode of The Rural Voice, host Dr. Chris Silver welcomes listeners back with an update on the National Rural Education Association (NREA) and its exciting period of transition. Chris introduces his new leadership and co-hosts, Dr. Bill Chapman and Dr. Melissa Sadorf, both of whom bring deep experience in education and leadership. The discussion highlights the future direction of NREA, emphasizing opportunities for growth, collaboration, and stronger advocacy for rural schools and communities. Bill and Melissa share their professional backgrounds and vision for strengthening NREA’s role in supporting educators, leaders, and students in rural contexts. We thank Dr. Allen Pratt for his service. The cohosts shift to looking ahead and the upcoming National Forum to Advance Rural Education (NFARE) in Salt Lake City, where educators and leaders will gather to explore innovative practices, share research, and build partnerships. The conversation conveys a sense of momentum and optimism for NREA’s next chapter, underscoring the importance of strong leadership and community engagement in shaping the future of rural education.