Recently, while attending the #RuralEdForum in Denver, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate with like-minded individuals within Peer Networking Groups. Thanks go to @nrea1 and @battelleforkids for bringing so many of us together – to giving us an opportunity to share and collaborate on our research – on our passion. All of which had rural education as its focus.

While sitting down with those like Nancy Meredith, an educational consultant from Colorado, and Gyanu Luintel, a doctoral student from Texas by way of Nepal, we quickly discovered a common theme across the differing research – there is a #CulturalMindset when it comes to rural education. Whether those participating pointed to the technology, the rurality, historical factors, or other influences, the conditions they described within their research and experiences of rural education was always placed in terms of a changing culture.  A culture in which has changed the dynamic of the 21^st century classroom but is not always reflected within the conditions of which teaching and learning takes place.

Maybe the most powerful take-away from this time of sharing and collaboration was the importance placed on building relationships in order to generate a shift in the #Mindset.  This familiar thread could be found running through every discussion as the participants repeatedly pointed to the importance of building strong, genuine relationships within their classrooms, communities, and countries in order to counter the culture they are facing within an educational system that is not meeting the needs of a 21^st century society.

There is a need for a shift. Just the little bit of time given to us by @nrea1 and @battelleforkids made a large impact. Was it impactful enough? If we each bring back to our communities this influence – have these same discussions – the same type of collaboration – the same emphasis on building relations, then maybe we will find commonality to move forward. We must because #EducationMatters to everyone!

Dr. Nate