Rural education, Asset-based lens & Teacher retention | Dr. Melissa Sadorf

In this "Learning Can't Wait" podcast episode, host Hayley Spira-Bauer interviews Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), who shares her 32-year career in rural Arizona schools from teacher to superintendent before leading advocacy efforts. Sadorf defines rural beyond geography as issues of access to resources and human capital, challenges misconceptions of rural schools as "backwards" by emphasizing their role as community hubs and innovative assets, and highlights the "Why Rural Matters" report, which analyzes data across 50 states on student outcomes, mental health, policy, and more to advocate for 10 million rural students. She stresses needs like reliable funding, teacher recruitment/retention policies, and an asset-based lens, while advising new rural educators to build deep community relationships.​