Course Description
Course Description: Rural schools are more than educational institutions—they are the social, cultural, and economic centers of their communities. Rural Education: Education at the Edge of the Map introduces educators to the study of rural education through the lenses of place, policy, and practice. Students will explore how geography, demography, and local culture intersect to shape educational opportunity and identity across rural America.
Drawing from interdisciplinary readings in sociology, history, and educational leadership, the course examines themes such as teacher recruitment and retention, rural poverty, equity and access, place-based pedagogy, and the relationship between schools and community resilience. Through case studies, reflective writing, and applied research, students will develop a foundational understanding of rural schooling as both a unique challenge and a vital context for innovation in public education.
Audience: Public school educators and administrators with a Bachelor’s Degree
Session Information
The remainder of the course takes place in an asynchronous format.
Office hours are provided upon request.
Instructors
Sean Robinson, Ed.D.
Sean Robinson, Ed.D.
Sean Robinson grew up with his grandparents in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, working at his family’s Bed and Breakfast. From an early age, school wasn’t his thing–he graduated 14th in a class of 33, and went to college part-time. From the beginning, Sean had an interest in the place around him–what had once been a Mill town and transformed into a tourist destination. After coming to education roundabout through social work, he’s worked in rural communities on both sides of the Connecticut River, focusing on supporting the unique needs of rural learners. He holds a EdD in Education with an emphasis on rural education and community development.
Additional Content Area
Course Goals:
1. Provide a historical and theoretical framework for students to understand the evolution of rural education as a field of study.
2. Reflect on personal identity and pedagogy to consider how educators develop and broaden their practice in the rural context.
3. Gain a deeper understanding of the rural student identity, their needs, and how those needs intersect structures of power, presenting unique needs to support.