TUCSON, AZ — The National Rural Education Association (NREA) is proud to announce a partnership with Western Governors University (WGU) School of Education. This collaboration is built to support aspiring teachers who want to earn degrees without leaving their communities, creating more opportunities for those wanting to become rural teachers.
WGU’s School of Education is the largest nonprofit, competency-based degree conferrer of educators in the country. They provide licensure preparation programs grounded in evidence-based practices and research, offer experiential learning with multiple opportunities for authentic learning in clinical and preclinical settings, and build exceptional knowledge of the art and science of teaching.
This partnership will support nearly 5,200 rural school districts in 34 states across the country, offering a tuition reduction of 5 percent, scholarship opportunities, and single and bundle courses.
WGU is excited to support the rural educators who teach and the administrators who support the students, parents, and communities of millions of students across America.
“The teachers rural communities need are typically already living and working in those very communities. What they need is a high-quality, accessible pathway into the profession that doesn’t require them to leave their jobs, families or hometowns behind,” said Dr. Jeff Borden, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of WGU’s School of Education. “Through our partnership with NREA, and leveraging a model that is perfect for that scenario, we can help rural communities grow their own educator workforce by preparing people where they live, so they can teach and lead where they live.”
On average, rural school districts have a tougher time recruiting new teachers, so building an internal bench of the next generation of teachers is crucial. This partnership will also support district “Grow Your Own” educator programs for both paraprofessionals and current high school students.
“The challenge of the nationwide teacher shortage is especially complex in rural communities,” said Dr. Melissa Sadorf, NREA Executive Director. “By partnering with WGU, we are opening up flexible, accessible pathways that empower local talent to earn their degrees and certifications without leaving home. This keeps passionate educators in the communities that need them most.”
NREA remains committed to forming partnerships that support our rural communities. This partnership will help those communities retain current educators, as well as build opportunities for more rural folks to become educators – and stay in their hometown.
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The National Rural Education Association (NREA) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It is the oldest established national organization in the United States. As the trusted voice for rural education, the NREA advocates for every rural learner, educator, and community. The NREA envisions strong rural schools and communities where education is the catalyst for resilience, opportunity and success.
