Rural Education Summit

April 6, 2023 Summit – Rural Schools: The Place to Learn, the Place to Be

Full Schedule

Strengthening Partnerships

The annual Rural Education Summit strengthens partnerships between the K-State College of Education, the Rural Education Center, and rural schools in Kansas.

The summit's interdisciplinary approach capitalizes on K-State's unique position to address issues affecting rural communities because of its connections and credibility: the commitment to application and practice that comes with being a land-grant institution; access to rural areas; and real and meaningful relationships between the academy and practitioners.

One of the summit’s goals is to serve as a connector, identifying needs and focusing the College of Education's efforts with rural schools. It also commits to a collaboration between the departments of curriculum and instruction and educational leadership.

Registration

2023 Registration is now closed. We hope to have you join us in 2024!

2023 Keynote Speakers

Dr. Chea Parton

Chea Parton

Chea Parton is a farm girl and former rural student and teacher. She taught Sophomores, Seniors, AP Language and Literature, and Advanced Composition and coached volleyball and basketball at a rural school in Indiana. She completed her PhD at The University of Texas at Austin where she conducted research on the place-connected personal and professional identity development of rural out-migrant ELA teachers. She is currently visiting faculty at Purdue University where she works with the Transition to Teaching program. Her research interests include rural representation in young adult literature, how rural (and sub/urban) teachers use rural young adult literature in their teaching, and developing critical rural place-conscious pedagogies. Her first book, Country Teachers in City Schools: The Challenge of Negotiating Identity and Place is slated for publication in April.

Social Media Handles and Websites:

Twitter: @readingrural
Instagram: @dr_chea_parton
Website: literacyinplace.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGg_RkLd27tEvJL_DZH2lQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reading-rural-yal/id1606560033

Bridget Larson

Bridget Larson is the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, as well as a middle school math teacher at a PK-8 rural school in South Central Missouri. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education through Grand Canyon University, and she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree through Arkansas State University. She enjoys everything math, and has a passion for the future of education. She has served on the Young Educator’s Advisory Council with Rural Schools Collaborative for two consecutive terms. From this role, she is proud to have been a part of creating the Rural Educator Resiliency Guide. She is also currently involved in place-based education through partnership with Teton Science Schools, where she serves as a Place Network Advocate. Plunging into this program opened many doors in her work as an educator and has helped shape her passion for rethinking what education looks like. Breaking down the four walls of a classroom and working in an interdisciplinary setting gave her a new meaning for learning. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors and crafting, as well as spending time with my family. Her two sons keep her on her toes, and they are always on a new adventure. A little interesting fact about her is she has a passion for John Deere!