APSU’s Eriksson College of Education hosts 2nd rural education conference
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Last month, Austin Peay State University’s Center for Rural Education hosted its second virtual conference, “Raising Our Rural Voices: Highlighting Rural Education with Shared Stories, Teaching Opportunities and Community Experiences.”
The event provided opportunities for rural experts from across the country to share innovative rural ideas and research. The center hosted 22 presentations, with more than 50 participants.
“It was a pleasure to conduct this shared research opportunity for the Austin Peay community and rural educators nationwide,” Dr. Cheryl Lambert, coordinator of the center, said.
In 2018, Austin Peay’s Eriksson College of Education opened the center to serve rural Tennessee school districts that experience “higher per-pupil costs, higher poverty rates, population decline, hard-to-staff positions with high teacher turnover, geographic isolation and resistance to innovation.”
In 2019, the center hosted a special, two-day STEM workshop for rural educators, and last year, it used external grant funding to develop its Rural Scholars Program. That program provides APSU junior and senior teaching candidates with support to complete their education degrees. These scholars then have the opportunity to commit to a teaching contract with a rural district.
The presenters at last month’s conference tackled some of the challenges rural teachers face, with sessions like “Comparing Mentoring Experiences for Rural Youth as They Embark on STEM Learning Pathways” and “‘Struggling to Find Our Way:’ Narratives From Rural Community Educators.”
“I had a wonderful time attending and presenting at the APSU Rural Education Conference,” Stephanie Oudghiri, from Purdue University, said. “Thank you so much for organizing this conference.”
For information on the new Center for Rural Education, visit .
News Feed
View All News
With fewer entry-level jobs available, Austin Peay State University's College of Business has responded by increasing experiential learning participation by 37%--connecting students with real organizations, AI-focused coursework, and global immersion experiences to build the skills employers value most.
Read More
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences has acquired a new scanning electron microscope, giving students publication-quality imaging and chemical analysis capabilities -- including the chance to study meteorites -- previously accessible only at major research institutions.
Read More
Austin Peay State University's Peer Leader Program has earned renewal of its International Peer Educator Training Program Certification from the College Reading & Learning Association at the maximum level through 2030, reflecting the program's support for thousands of new students each year.
Read More